“No, no,” he replied hastily. “Main line. I want Hastings.”
“Last train for there was at 8:45, sir.”
“What time is it now?” he gasped.
“Ten fifty-five, sir.”
“But—but is there nothing more to-night—say, to take me part of the way?” he exclaimed, for he was mad with the desire to be moving.
“No main line train to-night, sir. Nothing till six in the morning.”
“How long would it take to get a special ready?”
“Oh, not very long, sir. I dessay they’d get you off in half an hour. Costs a deal, sir—’bout a pound a mile.”
“Where is the superintendent?”
“This way, sir,” said the man; and, following him, he was taken to the official’s house, just in time to catch him before he retired for the night.