"If he comes in tell him I've gone," he called to the clerk as he hurried out.
A quarter of an hour later Swanson hurried into the great train shed where the train was waiting to bear the Bears on their final trip of the season. Most of the athletes already had sought their berths to attempt to get to sleep before the train started, as the ride was a short one and the hours of sleep too few.
"Kohinoor down yet?" asked Swanson in a low tone, as he came near the trainer.
"Haven't seen him," replied the trainer. "I put his baggage in his berth. There's a card game in the smoking room, maybe he's in there."
"I'll watch for him at the gate," said Swanson, "he may turn up yet."
Worried and alarmed, Swanson swung back along the train and took his stand where he could watch the entrances to the station and the great clock at the same time. Three minutes remained before time for the train to start. There was a flurry in the crowd at the gates, and a man broke through to race for the train. Swanson's heart leaped. He started to meet the newcomer, then, with a sickening feeling, he saw that it was not McCarthy, but Williams.
"Seen Kohinoor?" inquired Swanson, as Williams hurried past.
"Not since dinner. Isn't he here?" inquired Williams, stopping and dropping his grip.
"Haven't seen him," replied Swanson, watching Williams closely for symptoms of guilt, and finding none.
"I expected it," said Williams nastily. "Maybe that story about him trying to throw games is straight after all."