“Well, we’re State police. Got orders to meet the train here to take over a prisoner. Got here sooner than we expected. Where’s the prisoner?”
“Ah don’t know, sah.”
“Come on,” growled one of the State policemen. “Let’s find the conductor.”
“No,” objected the other. “I don’t like the looks of this open platform. I’m going to drop off and see if any one is around.”
The man suited the words with the action. He dropped to the ground and flashed the rays of an electric torch in all directions. He inspected under the car, but to no avail. The Shadow had slipped away to the other side of the train.
Back by the drawing-room door, the conductor was waiting.
Where was the man with the muffled face? When would he return?
Precious minutes ticked by. The conductor, hesitant, feared to enter the drawing-room. At last his patience was rewarded. Two men came along the aisle — State policemen. They had given up their useless inspection.
“They’re in there,” said the conductor, pointing to the drawing-room.
“Who’s in there?”