Captain Conway turned quickly and saw the men, both of whom happened to be looking at him, and as the captain imagined with sinister designs.
"What of it?" he asked in a trembling voice.
"The gentleman seated by the side of the officer," continued Fred, "is a noted detective from Danville. The plan is to declare you a celebrated thief, and arrest you and take you off the cars at Eminence. Once off, they will search you, get your dispatches, and let you go."
"But there may be some on the train who know me."
"That will make no difference; they will claim they are not mistaken, and that you must prove you are not the person wanted before some magistrate."
"What can I do? What did Major Hockoday say for me to do?" asked the now thoroughly frightened captain.
"He said that you should give me the letter, and for you to leave the train before it reached Eminence, thus giving them the slip."
"Boy, you are an impostor. It is simply a plot to get hold of the letter. Why did not Major Hockoday write me this order?"
"He had no time."