For a moment he hung there, hesitating. Then he let go his hold and disappeared.
CHAPTER IX
CONSPIRING EVENTS
The President's private car pulled into Wardlow at the tail of No. 2, the east-bound express, at 3.10 a.m., and was there side-tracked upon instructions from Detective Robert Cranston. As soon as No. 2 had got away behind a fresh engine on the long jump to the next divisional point, Cranston, fully dressed, descended from the car and went across to the despatcher's office. Half an hour later he returned to the car, undressed and crawled back into his berth with a grunt of satisfaction.
The President greeted him at breakfast with a smile and Cranston responded with the grin of a man who has made predictions which have come true.
"Well, Bob, your fish bit, I see."
"Sure did, sir. He took bait, hook an' sinker at 23.20 an' I'll have him reeled in by to-morrow morning."
"Not so sure about that, Bob," said Wade skeptically. "Fish sometimes get clean away, remember. What have you done?"
"Wired his description to every section foreman on the division with instructions to notify me here and hold him prisoner till we come. Fifty dollars reward. We crossed No. 1 half an hour after Hughey jumped. Johnston has special instructions to watch out for him, and there isn't a sharper conductor in the service. He'd figure to grab the west-bound, if everything went well. If he didn't succeed, we'll nab him sure somewhere up the line during the day."
"Unless he's taken to the woods. Podmore's not fool enough to stick to the track, Bob," objected Wade.