“We’ve got plenty of time,” went on the second speaker. “They can’t get anybody here inside of an hour. I wonder where that fool Charlie’s gone?”
As though in answer to the question, there came a rattle of wheels from the road outside, and Allan heard the men in the freight-shed smash the lock and open the door which led out upon the freight-platform at the side of the station.
“Here she is,” said a voice, and a moment later the chest was dragged toward the open door.
“How’d you manage about the operator?” asked a voice which Allan recognized with a start as belonging to Dan Nolan.
“He’s in there with his face mashed in.”
“Is he?” and Nolan laughed joyfully. “I was never gladder in my life than when I seen him git off th’ train t’-night. You know who he is, don’t you?”
“No; who is he?”
“He’s th’ skunk that flagged th’ pay-car an’ got us all pinched.”
There was a moment’s astonished silence.