"Nigh onto twenty-five miles."
"All right. That's all. I will have your tickets ready for you when you come on in the morning. Good night, if I don't see you again until then."
All hands save Phil and Teddy went to bed early that night and the car was soon dark and silent. The late man from the country route did not get in until half-past one o'clock in the morning. He unloaded as quietly as possible, not knowing what plans of the manager he might disturb were he to make his presence known.
By this time every man of the crew was well aware that their young manager seldom was without some shrewd plan for outwitting his competitors, but these plans he ordinarily kept well to himself until he was ready to carry them out.
Phil busied himself during the night in posting his books, making out the payroll for the car, and writing the report sheet for the owner of the show.
Right on the minute at the appointed hour there came a light tap on the car window. Phil stepped out to the platform.
"I am ready, sir." It was the section foreman.
"Come inside," said Phil. "Do not make any noise, for the men are all asleep. I will awaken two of them soon, but I do not want those other car men to get awake, not for any price."
"Now, what is it you want to do?"
"You are sure there will be no more trains over this road in either direction tonight?" asked Phil.