He climbed to the platform, wiped the moisture from his brow, fanned himself vigorously and then smiled.
“Close call, that,” he exclaimed.
“Young man,” said Mr. Willing dryly, “hereafter let there be no loitering behind. You gave me a scare and I don’t care for any more of the same.”
“Daddy!” exclaimed Shirley. “I am sure Dick didn’t do it intentionally.”
“No, sir,” agreed Dick. “As I followed after you I bumped into a lady and knocked her suitcase from her hand. It came open and the contents scattered about. For a moment I forgot all about the train and stopped to help her pick them up. Then I happened to remember we were late, and ran after you.”
“Your gallantry is bound to get you in trouble if you are not careful,” commented Mr. Willing.
They went inside.
Mr. Willing had engaged the two drawing rooms, one at either end of the car. Dick and the two older men were to occupy one and the two girls the other.
It was almost eight o’clock when the train pulled into Pittsburgh. They had just finished dinner, so Dick stepped off to look about for a few moments.
As he stood beside the steps of the Pullman, another man, probably several years his senior, approached and engaged him in conversation. He was an agreeable sort of a chap. He spoke English with the faintest of accents, however, and this Dick was not slow to notice.