THE PURSUIT BECOMES PERILOUS.
I approached the ticket-office, and asked when the train would leave
for Philadelphia.
“In about five minutes,” was the answer.
“And is there any other train up or down before that?”
“Only an express that does not stop.”
“Thank you.”
I walked out upon the platform, but managed to keep out of sight as
much as possible, fearful that if Mr. Norton saw me he would leave the
vicinity at once.
I wished that I could run across a policeman to whom I could state the
case. But there seemed to be none in the neighborhood; and an inquiry
brought forth the fact that the official on that post had just gone off
with a drunken man in charge.
Presently I heard the rumbling of an approaching locomotive, and the
next moment a train dashed up and came to a halt.
As it did so I kept my eyes wide open, and saw Mr. Norton dash from
behind a neighboring building, and make for the nearest car. I gave
chase at once, and caught him by the arm just as he was about to mount
the platform.
“Let me go!” he cried.
“No, sir; you sha’n’t escape me in this fashion,” I returned.
For a moment he glared at me; then drawing back his right arm he gave
me a heavy blow directly on the chin.
The crack made my teeth fairly rattle, and I staggered back and rolled
upon the platform.
“That will teach you a lesson, Reuben!” he exclaimed. “Good-by! I never
expect to see you again.”
The train started off, and in a moment the first two cars had passed
me. I was dazed, and hardly knew what to do.
Fortunately the train was a long one, and by the time the last car was
going by I had managed to scramble to my feet. I made a dash for the
rear platform, and grabbed the iron rail with both hands.
The speed of the train was greater than I had anticipated. The rush
of wind took my breath from me, and try as hard as I could I found it
impossible for me to raise myself from my highly perilous position. The
speed of the cars increased every second, and it became more and more
difficult for me to retain my hold.
I shivered as I thought of what the consequence would be if I allowed
myself to drop. No doubt I would be dashed to the track, and seriously
injured, if not killed.
My head soon began to whirl, and I felt that I could not hang on for
any great length of time.
While this thought rushed through my brain, the door of the car opened
and the conductor came out. He saw at once what was up, and bending
down, he grasped me under the shoulder, and lifted me up the steps and
onto the platform.
“What do you mean by trying to get on the train while we are running?”
he demanded.
For a moment I could not answer, and in that space of time he shoved me
into the end of the car and followed.
“There ought to be a law to arrest fellows like you,” he went on. “If
you had been killed I would have been blamed for it!”
“It――it was necessary that I get aboard,” I gasped.
“How necessary? There is another train in half an hour.”
“There is a man aboard this train I wanted to catch.” I went on. “I
don’t want him to get away.”
“Better let him go than lose your life,” returned the conductor grimly.
“I didn’t think of that, sir. The man is a thief, and is trying to get
away from the police.”
“Indeed! Well, that alters the case a little, to be sure. Who is he?”
“Mr. Norton.”
“What is he wanted for?”
“He is one of the men who stole the diamonds from the Bayport bank.”
“Phew! you don’t say. You are sure?”
“Oh, yes. I was on hand when he got away.”
“You know the man?”
“Yes, sir; quite well.”
“And you say he is on this train?”
“He got aboard the forward car just as we left Chester.”
“We will have to have him arrested.”
“I wish you would do so at the very next station, sir. I don’t want to
go to Philadelphia.”
“We will stop at Flanders, two miles farther on. Come and identify the
fellow.”
To this I agreed at once, and we started through the train. As we
passed each seat I gave the different passengers a glance so as not to
miss Mr. Norton on the way.
As I did so, one fellow in the second car impressed me strangely. He
was a man about the build of my guardian, but he wore a smoking-cap and
a heavy beard. I looked at him twice as we passed, and I noticed him
start as I did so.
At last we reached the forward car, and here I felt sure that I would
catch sight of Mr. Norton, but I was mistaken. He was nowhere to be
seen.
I was thoroughly puzzled, and the conductor saw the look of dismay upon
my face.
“Well, where is the man?” he asked.
“I don’t see him,” I replied faintly.
“Maybe he has left the train.”
“Let me take another look.”
“Go ahead. We’ll have to pass Flanders, though.”
“And how far is the next station?”
“Landown, three miles.”
I started from the front platform and walked slowly on to the very
last. But I was again unsuccessful, and so notified the conductor.
“If he was on, he must have jumped off when you caught hold,” said that
official.
I could not understand it. I was morally certain that Mr. Norton was on
the train. Had he in any way disguised himself?
Suddenly I thought of the man who had impressed me so strangely. I
jumped to my feet.
“I think I know where he is!” I exclaimed. “Please come with me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think he is in disguise.”
“Oh, I see,” returned the conductor of the train.
I led the way to the second car. The man with the heavy beard sat
looking out of the window. I tapped him on the shoulder.