But as his gaze fell to the platform again he saw the tall figure of Mr. Adair hurrying along beside the train. Ralph leaned farther out of the window and beckoned him.
“What do you want, Ralph?” asked the chief detective hastily, as he leaped up the steps of the locomotive. “I have just heard——”
“And I’ve just found this.” The young engineer told him where. “And I believe I’ve seen that writing before.”
“Whose is it?” demanded Adair the instant he had scanned the warning words.
Ralph leaned closer to his ear and whispered a name. Adair started. “No?” he cried. “Do you believe that?”
“Compare it with that paper Zeph gave you,” urged Ralph.
The gong sounded. The young engineer’s hand went to the throttle. The conductor shouted “All aboard!”
“Keep your eyes open, Ralph,” advised the chief detective, swinging himself down. “That is no idle threat. I am going to keep the wires hot ahead of the Midnight Flyer to-night. Never mind if you smash your schedule all to flinders. Safety first, my boy.”
“That is not the super’s motto,” said Ralph, rather sharply. “‘Get her through,’ is what he wants.”
“You should worry!” exclaimed Adair as the great drivers began to turn. “The G. M. is behind you. I am having the whole division watched. I’ll jack the boys up right now. But if anything happens——”