windows of the shed over the
galvanized fence. All were in darkness, and he wondered if Benson had
gone on his customary expedition into Hull.

To satisfy himself on this point he hid beneath a wagon which was
standing on the siding close to the gate in the fence. If the manager
were returning by his usual train he would be due in a few minutes, and
Willis intended to wait and see.

It was not long before a sharp footfall told that someone was coming
along the lane. The unknown paused at the stile, climbed over; and,
walking more carefully across the rails, approached the door. Willis,
whose eyes were accustomed to the gloom, could make out the dim form
of a man, showing like a smudge of intensified blackness against the
obscurity beyond. He unlocked the door, passed through, slammed it
behind him, and his retreating steps sounded from within. Finally
another door closed in the distance and silence again reigned.

Willis crawled out from beneath his truck and once more climbed the
signal ladder. The windows of Benson's office were now lighted up, but
the blinds being drawn, the inspector could see nothing within.

After about half an hour he observed the same phenomenon as Hilliard
and Merriman had witnessed--the light was carried from the office to the
bedroom, and a few minutes later disappeared altogether.

The ladder on which he was standing appearing to Willis to offer as good
an observation post as he could hope to get, he climbed to the little
platform at the top, and seating himself, leaned back against the timber
upright and continued his watch.

Though he was keenly interested by his adventure, time soon began to
drag. It was cramped on the little seat, and he could not move freely
for fear of falling off. Then to his dismay he began to grow sleepy. He
had of course been up all the previous night, and though he had dozed a
little during his vigil in the deserted house, he had not really rested.
He yawned, stretched himself carefully, and made a determined effort to
overcome his drowsiness.

He was suddenly and unexpectedly successful. He got the start of his
life, and for a moment he thought an earthquake had come. The signal
post trembled and swayed while with a heavy metallic clang objects moved
through the darkness near his head. He gripped the rail, and then he
laughed as he remembered that railway signals were movable. This one had
just been lowered for a train.

Presently it roared past him, en