perfectly well there was nothing for me to do. To this day I cannot
understand what power, despite all my common-sense, made me hurry
back, and again begin to hunt through the book for an order, which in
my heart of hearts I knew perfectly well was not there. After all, how
little we know of the great other world and the influences that may be
there at work!

"It was now 8.45. In fifteen minutes more the express would be in. I
was actually unable to endure the dreadful suspense, and had just made
up my mind to go and see Herbert, who boarded across the road from the
station, when the waiting-room door opened and he entered. Without
speaking to me he walked dejectedly over to the station agent's door,
and was just going to knock at it, when I reached his side and said to
him in deep agitation, 'Tell me, Herbert, are you quite sure you
received no orders to hold the express? she will soon be here now.' My
voice trembled with anxiety. Without looking at me or appearing to
notice my strange manner, he replied, 'No orders, if you received
none.' As the door closed behind him I could have cried out, so keen
was the feeling of dread that again swept over me. Just then I heard
the whistle of the locomotive, which seemed to stop my very heart from
beating. Like one bereft I ran back into the telegraph office, and
began to call the dispatcher's office. There was one more chance of
saving the express if it was in danger, and that was by asking if an
order had been sent to hold it for a crossing. I had waited until the
last minute before I could make up my mind to do this: because, if the
dispatcher had telegraphed an order, he would know by repeating it
that Herbert had forgotten to book it and turn the red light facing
the station on to the track. Such a grave omission would mean sure
dismissal. If he had not sent one he would want to know what made me
ask him such a strange question, and would at once get an inkling
that something was wrong. True it is that troubles never come singly!
For a full minute I stood desperately calling the dispatcher's office,
but got no answer. Either the wires had been crossed or the man had
for a few minutes left his post. I closed the key and sank weakly back
on my chair.

"As the door opened and old Conductor Rawlings, with the typical
railway man's good-natured bustle, entered the room and noisily banged
his lamp down on the desk, I buried my face in my hands, completely
prostrated by contend