"He's jumped!" exclaimed Ralph.
A dark form, that of Ike Slump, leaped from the car ahead as it passed a morass. Ralph ventured to lean out of the cab window.
He could make out the nearing lights of Dover. Glancing back, he saw by the signals that the tracks were clear for the regular service.
Toot-toot-too-oot-too-oot!
Far and wide rang the ear-splitting alarm signal. Ralph kept it up continuously. Then, as he neared the crossings tower lights at Dover, he shut off steam and jolted down to a dead stop.
Glancing back and ahead, he saw the signals change in a flash, blocking all rails.
A lantern moved down the tracks. Two men came running towards the freights and along them till they reached the locomotive.
One of the men was evidently the head towerman. He glared wildly up at Ralph.
"What in thunder is this?" he cried.
"Why, you may call it a special," answered Ralph promptly.