"I left him in New York. I am going back to Syracuse to attend to a little business, and shall then return to New York."
Mr. Talbot took out an evening paper and began to read. Mark prepared to look around him. Presently Mr. Talbot arose.
"I am going into the smoking-car to smoke a cigar," he said. "Have an eye on my grip while I am gone."
"All right, uncle."
Hours passed. The two travelers retired to their respective berths. About two o'clock Mark was startled by a severe shock that nearly threw him out of his berth. There was a confused shouting, and Mark heard some one crying,
Leaning out of the berth he saw Solon Talbot standing in the aisle, his face pale as a sheet.
There was a swaying movement of the car, and a sudden lurch. The car had gone over an embankment.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE TELLTALE MEMORANDUM.
When Mark came to himself he realized that he was lying on his back on the ground. It was a bright moonlight night, and he could see for some distance.