“Yes,” replied the twins’ father.
“Oh, yes, I remember you. You sent a message to Mr. Simpson on train thirty-two. Well, here’s his answer.”
“Thank you,” said Mr. Bobbsey. “Any charge?”
“No charge.”
The dispatcher went back to his clicking instruments. Mr. Bobbsey read the message to himself.
“What does it say, Daddy?” Bert ventured to ask.
“Will she come back and tell us about the baby?” Nan wanted to know. “Will she take Baby May away from us?”
“This isn’t a message from the strange woman—it’s from the train conductor,” answered Mr. Bobbsey. “It says that the old woman in the faded shawl got off at Hankertown. Um! I thought the train didn’t stop this side of Miles Junction, but it must have done so.”
“Where’s Hankertown?” asked Bert.
“About fifteen miles from here,” his father said. “Wait until I ask the dispatcher about this.”