Instantly I remembered the man lying by the roadside, and the threats of discharged workmen.
I told her the thing was a clean accident, and tried to show her how it came about. She was effusive in gratitude for my belief. But she seemed concerned about Marion and the others. She did not go away; she went over and sat down beside the track.
Presently the others returned. They were so engrossed that they did not notice my adventure or the aged woman seated on the ground.
Marion was putting questions to the workman.
“There was no obstruction on the track?”
“No, Miss.”
“The engineer was watching?”
“Yes, Miss Warfield, he had to slow up and be careful about the crossing. There is no curve on this grade, he could see every foot of the way. The track was clear and in place, and he was watching it. There was nothing on it.—The rails simply spread under the weight of the engine.”
And he began to comment on the excessive size and weight of the huge modern passenger engine.
“The brute drove the rails apart,” he said, “that's all there is to it.”