“I saw something then that looked a whole lot like the flash of a match,” suddenly muttered the quick-seeing Andy.
“It was a match,” admitted Rob. “I saw it, too. From the fact that it seemed to be higher up than we are I take it the man who struck it must have been a guard on the railway embankment, in which case it is only a short distance from us now.”
“But why would he want to strike a match, please?” asked Tubby, pushing his head close up to the others in his burning desire to learn facts and theories.
“Oh, perhaps just to light his pipe,” returned Rob, whispering, of course. “Fact is that must have been just what he was doing. I saw the light flare up several times, and that would mean so many puffs. These Canadians, like the British, are great hands for a pipe, you know.”
“Let us be awa’ then,” urged Donald feverishly. “Tell me, please, Rab, is it yet near the hour o’ eleven?”
He could hardly have exhibited more eagerness had he heard the far distant rumble that would announce the coming of his father’s train. Ere this the poor boy was in a real fever, brought on by his emotions, as well as the nature of his recent severe exposure and physical suffering.
Rob understood all this and could sympathize with Donald. At the same time he also knew they were now about to approach the real danger that overhung the adventure. Undoubtedly those desperate men must be near by at work, intent on carrying out their monstrous scheme that would entail so much loss of property and life. So, in trying to communicate with the guards of the trestle and the adjacent bridge, they would have to run the gantlet of discovery at the hands of the dynamiters.
“Plenty of time yet, Donald,” Rob said in the ear of the eager one. “Many a fine plan has been spoiled by too great haste. We’ll carry it through to a successful finish. This won’t be the first time the scouts of the Eagle Patrol have been put on their mettle. Donald, they have always won out. Wait and see.”
“Rob,” ventured Andy, in his most muffled tones, “I just know you’ve got a bully good plan up your sleeve right now. Tell us what it is, won’t you?”
“Get your heads close together, then,” cautioned the scout master.