She and Mrs. Perry were eating dinner in the dining-car just before dusk, when Jeanette inquired:
"Are we still in Wyoming?"
Mrs. Perry shook her head.
"I don't know, dear, I'll ask some one. Why are you interested? Will you feel you really are on the way then?"
A middle-aged man in the seat opposite leaned across.
"Yes, we left Wyoming half an hour ago. We will be in the mountains before dark."
Mrs. Perry nodded, smiling.
"That is, if nothing happens," amended the stranger. He was a lean, wiry man, with furtive eyes.
"Why, nothing is likely to happen!" exclaimed Jeanette, a little awed by the man's manner.
"You never can tell," he answered. "The motto of Tom Furniss—that's myself—is, 'Expect the worst, and you won't be disappointed.'"