XI
THE HAUNTED STATION
True to the division superintendent’s promise, a month following the incident of the runaway ore train, Alex was transferred to the despatching office at Exeter. It was the superintendent himself who on the evening of his arrival presented him for duty to the chief night despatcher; and a few minutes later, having been initiated into the mysteries of directing and recording the movements of trains, Alex was shown to his wire.
“It is a short line—only as far as the Midway freight junction,” the chief explained; “but if you make good here, you will soon be given something bigger.
“And, by the way, take your time in sending to the operator at the Junction,” he added. “He’s a rather poor receiver, but was the only man we could get to go there, on account of that so-called ‘haunting’ business.”
“Oh, has the ‘ghost’ appeared there again?” inquired Alex with interest. For the “haunting” of the Midway Junction station had been a subject of much discussion on the main-line wire a few weeks back.
“Yes, two nights ago. And like the four men there before him, the night man left next morning. It is a strange affair. But I think the man there now will stick.”
At midnight Alex called Midway Junction, and sent the order starting north the last freight for the night. Fifteen minutes later the operator at MJ suddenly called, and clicked, “That ‘Thing’ is here again. It’s walking up and down the platform just outside.
“There it is now!” he sent excitedly. “And twice I’ve jumped out, and the moment I opened the door it was gone!