The villain knew that he would not have time enough to reach the platform to board the train, so he clambered upon the last car from the ground.
The train stopped about half a minute, which gave Van time to get within a hundred feet of it before it started.
But he was too late.
The bell rang, and away went the train, with John Moreland standing on the platform of the rear car, shaking his fist at Van in a derisive manner.
Van stood still in his tracks until the train had disappeared from sight, and then, without answering the station master's query as to what the matter was, started slowly back to the house where he had lived for so many years.
When he reached it he found no one there but Ben, the old servant, and to him he stated that he was going away.
Van had about four hundred dollars that he had saved, and he at once got this and placed it in a stanch, leather pocketbook, which he put in the inside pocket of his vest.
He next packed a few things in a satchel, and then set out slowly for the depot.
Another train would be along in about thirty-five minutes, which would bring him to New York one hour behind the man he was chasing.
As Van walked along thinking over the general appearance of Doc Clancy—for he was sure that John Moreland was no other than he—it occurred to him that the man had some of the characteristics of a seaman about him.