Ralph went down the road shortly after noon. He reached Afton and reported at once to the assistant superintendent.
“I have ordered a substitute fireman on the Mail for a week, Fairbanks,” said that official. “I think we shall engage your services for that length of time.”
“Is it some particular case, sir?” asked Ralph.
“A very important case, yes. We seem to have got rid of incompetent employes and strikers, thanks to you and others who stood by the company in time of trouble. There is one thing, however, that is bothering us. It bothers every road more or less, but we won’t have it.”
Ralph waited for a further explanation.
“Freight thieves, Fairbanks,” continued the 222 official. “Some gang is regularly stealing from the road. When, where and how it is done we have been unable to ascertain. A train will leave the city or the Junction, arrive at terminus, and some valuable package will be missing. The car seals will be all right, no one seems to have entered the car, and yet the pilfering goes on. Will you help us run down the thieves?”
“I will try,” answered Ralph. “What trains seem to suffer most?”
“Always the night freights,” replied the assistant superintendent. “Now, take your time, spare no expense, and go to work on this problem in your usual effective way.”
Ralph devoted the remainder of the day to going up and down the road and familiarizing himself with the various freight trains and their schedules.
Just after dark he clambered into the cab of the night freight leaving the city. It was a dark, sleety night, for cold weather had just set in.