d between the arrival of the train
from Hull and the departure of that from London, and through passengers
frequently left their carriage while it was being shunted. At the same
time Willis unostentatiously followed, and presently saw Archer vanish
into the first-class refreshment room. He took up a position where he
had a good view of the door, and waited for the other's reappearance.

But the distiller was in no hurry. Ten minutes elapsed, and still he
made no sign. The express from the north thundered in, the engine hooked
off, and shunting began. The train was due out at 6.22, and now the
hands of the great clock pointed to 6.19. Willis began to be perturbed.
Had he missed his quarry?

At 6.20 he could stand it no longer, and at risk of meeting Archer,
should the latter at that moment decide to leave the refreshment room,
he pushed open the door and glanced in. And then he breathed freely
again. Archer was sitting at a table sipping what looked like a whisky
and soda. As Willis looked he saw him glance up at the clock--now
pointing to 6.21--and calmly settle himself more comfortably in his
chair!

Why, the man would miss the train! Willis, with a sudden feeling of
disappointment, had an impulse to run over and remind him of the hour
at which it left. But he controlled himself in time, slipped back to his
post of observation, and took up his watch. In a few seconds the train
whistled, and pulled majestically out of the station.

For fifteen minutes Willis waited, and then he saw the distiller leave
the refreshment room and walk slowly down the platform. As Willis
followed, it was clear to him that the other had deliberately allowed
his train to start without him, though what his motive had been the
inspector could not imagine. He now approached the booking-office and
apparently bought a ticket, afterwards turning back down the platform.

Willis slipped into a doorway until he had passed, then hurrying to the
booking-window, explained who he was and asked to what station the last
comer had booked. He was told "Selby," and he retreated, exasperated and
puzzled beyond words. What could Archer be up to?

He bought a time-table and began to study the possibilities. First he
made himself clear as to the lie of the land. The main line of the great
East Coast route from London to Scotland ran almost due north and south
through Doncaster. Eighteen miles to the north was Selby, the next
important station. At Selby a line