robbers. He had left the car almost as it
stopped, and under the cover of the dark night had gained the shelter
of the timber lining the track.

The young fireman waited until the men came rushing out of the car.
They were dismayed and furious, and, leaving them in a noisy and
excited consultation, Ralph started back towards the trestle work.

"They won't get the safe, that is sure," said the young railroader in
tones of great satisfaction, as he hurried along in the pelting storm.
"They will scarcely pursue me. It is pretty certain, however, that
they will be pursued, and I may meet an engine before I reach Dover."

Just as he neared the end of the trestle Ralph saw at some distance
the glint of a headlight. It was unsteady, indicating the uncertain
character of the roadbed.

"About two miles away," decided the young fireman. "I must manage to
stop them."

With considerable difficulty, Ralph secured sufficient dry wood and
leaves in among some bushes to start a fire between the rails and soon
had a brisk blaze going. The headlight came nearer and nearer. A
locomotive halted. Ralph ran up to the cab.

It contained Griscom, the city fireman and two men armed with rifles.
The old engineer peered keenly at the figure, quickly springing to the
step of the engine.

"You, lad?" he cried heartily. "I'm glad of that. Where is the
train?"

"About two miles further on beyond the trestle."

"And the pay car?"

"The robbers were in possession when I left them."

"Then they will get away with the safe!" cried the engineer
excitedly.

"Hardly," observed Ralph, with a smile.

"Eh, lad, what do you mean?"

"What I say. Truth is, I saw what was coming. There was only one thing
to do. There were tools in the car. I sawed a hole through the floor
of the car, rolled the safe to it, and dumped it through. It went
between two rotten ties, and lies in the swamp--safe."

With a shout of delight old John Griscom slapped his young assistant
admiringly on the shoulder.

"Fairbanks," he cried, "you're a jewel! Mate," to the fireman, "this
is glad news."

"It is, indeed," said his companion. "I wouldn't like the record of
losing that safe. Can you locate the spot, Fairbanks?"

"It may take some trouble," answered Ralph. "The best thing to do is
to get a wrecking car here; meantime, the trestle should be guarded."

They ran on and up to the spot where the stolen train was halted, but
found the vicinity deserted. It seemed t