"It is all right!" was the thought that passed through their minds.
There was another passenger waiting for the train, whom they did not notice. He was a small, quiet, unpretentious-looking man, attired in a suit of pepper and salt, and looked like a retail merchant in a small way, going to Portland or Boston, to order goods. They would have been very much startled had they known that it was a Boston detective, who had been telegraphed for by Mr. Graves, and that his special business was to follow them and observe their actions.
When the train reached the station Carver got in, and took a seat by himself in the second car. Just behind him sat the two confederates, Brandon and Travers, and in line with them, on the opposite side of the car, sat the quiet man, whom we will call Denton.
Ten minutes before the train reached Portland Ephraim Carver left his seat, and very singularly forgot to take the parcel, of which he had special custody, with him. It was a remarkable piece of forgetfulness, truly.
But his oversight was not unobserved. Travers sprang from his seat, took the parcel, and following the messenger overtook him at the door of the car.
He tapped Carver on the shoulder, and the latter turned round.
"I beg pardon," said Travers, "but you left this on the seat."
As he spoke he handed a packet to Carver.
"A thousand thanks!" said the messenger hurriedly. "I was very careless. I am very much indebted to you."
"I thought the packet might contain something valuable," said Travers.