‘Why were they not detained?’
‘We had no authority to detain them, nor any reason. Until your message was received a few minutes ago we at this station were not aware that inquiries were being made for them.’
‘You say he booked to Hull,—does the train run through to Hull?’
‘No—it doesn’t go to Hull at all. Part of it’s the Liverpool and Manchester Express, and part of it’s for Carlisle. It divides at Derby. The man you’re looking for will change either at Sheffield or at Cudworth Junction and go on to Hull by the first train in the morning. There’s a local service.’
I looked at my watch.
‘You say the train left at midnight. It’s now nearly five-and-twenty past. Where’s it now?’
‘Nearing St Albans, it’s due there 12.35.’
‘Would there be time for a wire to reach St Albans?’
‘Hardly,—and anyhow there’ll only be enough railway officials about the place to receive and despatch the train. They’ll be fully occupied with their ordinary duties. There won’t be time to get the police there.’
‘You could wire to St Albans to inquire if they were still in the train?’