city. It was a dark, sleety night, for cold weather had just set
in.

The engineer was a tried and trusty veteran in the service. Ralph felt
that he understood him, and that he must trust him to a degree in
order to facilitate his own programme. He waited till the fireman was
busy outside on the engine, then he spoke to the old engineer.

"Mr. Barton, I am on special duty here tonight."

"That so, lad?" inquired the engineer.

"Yes, I suppose you know there is a good deal of missing freight in
these night runs."

"I heard so," answered Barton, "but you see that is the business of
the conductor, so I haven't much troubled myself about it."

"Still, you don't care to have these things occur in your runs."

"Should say not! Working on the case, Fairbanks?"

"Frankly, yes, Mr. Barton, and I want you to keep it quiet, but assist
me when you can. I will be all over the train and the car tops
to-night, and wanted to explain why to you."

"That's all right, lad. Just call on me if I can help you. Hello, you,
Woods!" bawled the engineer suddenly to a fellow who appeared near the
cab side, "what you doing there?"

The man slunk out of view at being addressed, with a muttered remark
that it was his own business.

"Don't like that fellow--caboose look-out," explained Barton.

"I hope he did not overhear our conversation," spoke Ralph.

About mid-way of the train there was a gondola oil car. It had an
elevated runway so that train hands could pass over it readily. Ralph
selected this car as a vantage point, and got aboard as the train
started on its way for Stanley Junction.

He was dressed as a tramp, looked the character completely, and the
false moustache he wore effectually changed his face so that no
persons except familiar friends would easily recognize him.

Ralph got down at one side of the big oil tank. For the next hour he
remained quiet. Finally, as a brakeman passed over the platform, he
climbed up and kept track of his movements.

The man, however, simply passed up and down the train and then
returned to the caboose. Then there was a stop. Ralph leaned from the
car and looked up and down the train.

"Why," exclaimed Ralph suddenly, "there is that fellow Woods working
at the doors of the cars a little ahead there."

The brakeman in question now came down the length of the train. The
engine was taking water. He halted almost opposite the car Ralph was
hiding on. Suddenly he uttered a low, sharp whis