“You’ll get a train in one hour,� he said in fair English. “The matter will be a simple one, sir. How came you in this part of Holland?�
“I might ask you the same question,� said Fay good-naturedly. “You have the first American voice I’ve heard in some time.�
“American, no! Alberta, yes,� grinned the goods-train guard. “I spent three years in the Canadian wheat countries.�
Fay booked passage by passing through the tiny window enough British gold to take an entire first-class compartment. He went outside and pulled a low truck within the shelter of the platform. He waited until Saidee Isaacs had seated herself. Then he said:
“The game starts, Saidee! I hope we’re on the right scent. I wonder what peculiar property is in the smoked-glasses Harry Raymond wears? They certainly help him win—at cards.â€�
“A double glass or something hidden in the lenses,� she suggested.
“Something hidden, yes!â€� said Fay. “Something hidden—go and find it,â€� he quoted thoughtfully.
The goods-train crew, who were evidently awaiting the coming of the north-bound train, stirred finally. They came out yawning, glanced at the two wanderers on the truck, then crossed the tracks in the direction of their train which was headed by a squat, open-cab locomotive.
A cone of white fire burst through the fog. A rumble and a whistle echoed over the moorlands. The train came to a grinding pause as Fay grasped Saidee Isaacs by the arm and ran down the station platform in the direction of the single first-class carriage.
They stood on the running-board as the train started.