save for a glimmer of diffused
light that comes from the cars ahead.

"Hurry, won't you; I hate to be in darkness," says Golding, uneasily.

"I won't keep you waiting long," calls back Nevins, who is half way to
the door.

He turns to look at the Magnate. A vague shadowy form is all that he can
discern in the gloom.

"So here is where you are to end a life of mammon-worship," Nevins
mutters as he steps upon the platform of the forward car.

He bends down, and with a strong, quick jerk uncouples the rear car.

For a few seconds the detached car keeps up with the train, then as its
momentum is exhausted, a rapidly widening gap is made.

"In five minutes you will have light," Nevins calls grimly, as he looks
at the fading car.

The train rushes ahead with speed that is imperceptibly increased.
Nevins climbs to the top of the car and crawls toward the front of the
train. He works his way to the coach immediately behind the motor.
Standing on the platform he removes his coat and trousers and reappears
arrayed in the common suit of a train hand. A soft cap completes the
disguise.

A faint rumble reaches his ears.

"_The first Magnate has fallen_" he whispers, as if confiding a secret.

"Yes; I have carried out my plan. James Golding is buried at the bottom
of the Channel. The time-fuse worked."

When the train emerges from the tunnel it is stopped by the signals of
the Block station. The operator inquires if anything has gone wrong. He
has been unable to communicate with the English station for more than
fifteen minutes, and supposes that the wires have been deranged. Then it
is that the loss of the rear car is discovered.

While the trainmen and passengers discuss the matter, a sound from the
tunnel reaches their ears; a roar resembling a series of dynamite
explosions.

"The tunnel has caved in!" exclaimed the conductor. "Get aboard, for
your lives!"

A rush is made for the train, and in half a minute it pulls away from
the mouth of the tunnel at top speed.

From the rear car the tunnel is visible. The train is five hundred yards
away when the waters burst from the mouth of the tunnel.

Loosed from the confining walls, the gigantic column subsides in height,
spreading on either side of the tracks. It inundates a vast area of the
low country surrounding the station.

Through the employment of the block system, but one train in each
direction is permitted to enter the tunnel at the same time.

A partit