“What did he do with it?” asked the sheriff, with an air of interest.
“Left it standing on the track.”
“Oh, I didn’t know but what he carried it off with him. Did he leave it alone and unguarded?”
Snyder was compelled to admit that the engine had been left in charge of its regular firemen; but still claimed that the young brakeman had committed a crime for which he ought to be arrested.
“I suppose you want me to arrest that fireman too?” suggested the sheriff.
“Oh, no. It was his duty to accompany the engine.”
“But why didn’t he refuse to allow it to move?”
“He was forced to submit by threats of personal injury made by this brakeman fellow. Isn’t that so?” asked Snyder, and the fireman nodded an assent.
The sheriff smiled as he glanced first at the burly form of the fireman and then at Rod’s comparatively slight figure. “Can any of these men identify this alleged locomotive thief?” he asked.
“Certainly they can. Tobin, tell the sheriff what you know of him.”