He heard and saw the 6.50 on the M. & W. pull in. This was the Chicago express; and the Huckleberry's local, which was due at Antioch at midnight, connected with it. This connection involved a wait of three hours at Buckhom. Only one passenger left the train. He disappeared into the depot.
Roger Oakley waited until it was quite dark, and then, leaving the strip of woods just back of the depot, where he had been hiding, stole cautiously down to the track. He had noticed that there was an engine and some freight cars on one of the sidings. He moved among them, keeping well in the shadow. Suddenly he paused. Two men emerged from the depot. They came down the platform in the direction of the cars. They were talking earnestly together. One swung himself up into the engine and lighted a torch.
He wondered what they were doing, and stole nearer.
They were standing on the platform now, and the man who held the torch had his back to him. His companion was saying something about the wires being down.
He listened intently.
Antioch was in danger, and if Antioch was in danger—Dannie—
All at once the man with the torch turned and its light Suffused his face.
It was Dan Oakley.