The occasion called for such drastic measures, however. The Midnight Flyer was held up. What it meant, Ralph did not know, but in the middle of the westbound track stood a man’s figure outlined by fire!
Had he not pulled down the heavy train as he had, the locomotive would have collided with the flaming object.
CHAPTER XX
STRANGE SIGNALS
The pilot of the great engine was within six feet of the flaming figure when the train was stopped. And Ralph knew, and unhappily, that several of the coach wheels were so badly flattened by the pressure of the brakes that they would have to go to the shops to be replaned.
This thought was back in his head, however. First and foremost he wanted to know what this was ahead—this strange signal that had caused him to bring the Flyer to such an abrupt stop.
One of the firemen leaped to the cinder path and ran ahead. In a moment he turned and waved his arms madly.
“It’s a scarecrow! I believe it came out of yonder cornfield. A scarecrow all afire!”
He kicked the blazing figure and it fell over, the straw contents of the old coat and trousers flaring up into a more vivid flame.
“Somebody has played a joke on us,” shouted the other fireman. “And a pretty poor joke, at that.”
“Maybe it is no joke,” was Ralph’s comment. “Stilling, you go forward with a lantern. If all’s clear at the next curve give us a high-ball. There may be something more than a joke in this mysterious affair. Hurry up, now!”