“A maniac is in charge of the train. He is crazed with drink, and armed. Who of you will join me in trying to overpower him?” 212
None of the train hands shrank from duty. They followed Ralph to the platform and thence to the top of the forward coach. At that moment new warnings came.
CHAPTER XXVII
A NEW MYSTERY
“Danger,” shouted Ralph. “Quick, men. Do you see ahead there?”
Down the rails a red signal fuse was spluttering. It was quite a distance away, but they would reach it in less than sixty seconds if the present fearful speed of the train was kept up.
“Hear that?” roared the conductor in a hoarse, frightened tone.