“I suppose you don’t have many visitors at the station at this time of night?” said the stranger, entering.
“No; but you are quite welcome. Have a chair,” responded Jack courteously.
To the young operator’s surprise, the stranger drew the chair immediately before him, and seating himself, leaned forward secretively. “My name is Watts,” he began, in a low voice, “and I’ve come on business. For you are the lad who worked out that ‘ghost’ mystery here, and caused the capture of the freight robber, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” confirmed Jack, in further wonder.
“I thought so. I thought as much. I know a clever lad when I see one. And that was one of the cleverest bits of detective work I ever heard of,” declared Mr. Watts, with a winning smile. “If the railroad detectives had done their work as well, the whole freight-stealing gang would have been landed. As it was none of the rest were caught, were they?”
THE STRANGER DREW THE CHAIR IMMEDIATELY BEFORE HIM,
AND SEATING HIMSELF, LEANED FORWARD SECRETIVELY.
Instead of being pleased, the man’s flattery and ingratiating manner had ruffled Jack, and briefly he answered, “No, sir.”