He was interrupted by a sharp call on the instrument. Allan answered it.
“Make report at once,” clicked the sounder, “of accident to engs. 315 and 618 at Byers Junction. Greggs.”
“Eng. 618,” Allan reported, “leaving West Junction at 6.20, delayed thirty minutes by hot-box, in collision with eng. 315 at 7.05 just west of Byers Junction. Both engines slightly damaged.”
“Why didn’t you hold special and protect eng. 618?” came the query.
“No order to that effect was sent me,” Allan answered. “I supposed the track clear.”
There was a moment’s pause. Then the sounder started again.
“Following order was sent Byers Junction at 5.50: ’Eng. 315, special west, will meet extra east, eng. 618, at Byers Junction.’ Operator at Byers, initial N., repeated this, and it was O. K.’d, so that train was fully covered and should have been protected. Useless to deny that order was received.”
Allan had turned as white as a sheet, and his hands were trembling convulsively as he opened the key.
“Will investigate and report in a moment,” he answered, and then turned to the trainmaster, his eyes dark with horror.