“Oh, a few months’ work as an operator will soon cure you of any tendency to curiosity, and take away some of your superfluous energy as well,” replied Miss Simpson, with a superior air. “But here comes another message; look sharp!”
Nell turned to the sounder, writing down the words as the machine ticked them out, and when the message was all through, she heaved a great sigh of relief.
“There is my mystery explained, and I am so very glad,” she said, with a laugh.
The conductor of the Roseneath train came into the office at this moment, anxious to know why his train had been prevented from starting, and she read the message to him.
“Three cases tinned meats, four boxes marked fragile, seven bags rice, all marked W. H. P., put on Roseneath train here by mistake.”
“I said it was a mistake when they were put on, only no one would believe me,” said the conductor, wrathfully, as he turned to go and take the misladen freight from his cars, shouting loudly for the baggage clerk to come and help him, and so shorten the delay in starting.
But the baggage clerk, who was also pointsman and a good many other things as well, had already gone off to some other duty, and was not available.
“I will help you,” said Nell, impulsively, running after the harassed conductor, who was fuming and irritable with the delay.
He stared at her for a moment in astonishment; then his face cleared as if by magic.
“Thank you, miss; it will make five minutes’ difference, perhaps more, and it all counts in the day’s work,” he said. But he lifted his hat to her with a ready chivalry that showed he respected her none the less for her offer of help.