The impetus given by the push was exceedingly fierce.
An ordinary shove would have dropped anyone right under the onrushing wheels.
But the force of the push sent the old detective far out into the air. He struck the further rail and the locomotive just brushed his body as it rolled over upon the next track.
It was a fearful fall, however, and for a moment stunned the old detective.
He lay half senseless upon the middle track.
Luckily no train was approaching for it was not the time of day for the expresses which used this track.
A great shriek of horror went up from the spectators.
Women fainted, men turned sick and all was fearful excitement.
Harry was so horror-struck and dazed that he allowed the assailant to vanish.
When he found that his partner had escaped death, he turned to look for the perpetrator of the deed.