some of you. There's those
three trucks on the A siding to go to Slopsbury by the 6.30
luggage--she'll be in in another five minutes."

There were steps as if some persons were coming out of a cabin
opposite--they came nearer and nearer: "These three, ain't it, Tommy?"
said a gruff voice, close to Paul's ear.

"That's it, mate," said another, evidently Tommy's--"get 'em along up to
the points there. Can't have the 6.30 standing about on this 'ere line
all night, 'cos of the Limited. Now then, all together, shove! they've
got the old 'orse on at the other end."

And to Paul's alarm he felt the truck in which he was begin to move
ponderously on the greasy metals, and strike the next with its buffers
with a jarring shock and a jangling of coupling chains.

He could not stand this; unless he revealed himself at once, or managed
to get out of this delusive waggon, the six-whatever-it-was train would
be up and carry him off to Slopsbury, a hundred miles or so farther from
home; they would have time to warn Dick--he would be expected--ambushes
laid for him, and his one chance would be gone for ever!

There was a whistle far away on the down line, and that humming
vibration which announces an approaching train: not a moment to lose--he
was afraid to attempt a leap from the moving waggons, and resolved to
risk all and show himself.

With this intention he got upon his knees, and putting his head above
the dirty bulwark, looked over and said softly, "Tommy, I say, Tommy!"

A porter, who had been laboriously employed below, looked up with a
white and scared face, and staggered back several feet; Mr. Bultitude in
a sudden panic ducked again.

"Bill!" Paul heard the porter say hoarsely, "I'll take my Bible oath
I've never touched a drop this week, not to speak of--but I've got 'em
again, Bill, I've got 'em again!"

"Got what agin?" growled Bill. "What's the matter now?"

"It's the jumps, Bill," gasped the other, "the 'orrors--they've got me
and no mistake. As I'm a livin' man, as I was a shovin' of that there
truck, I saw a imp--a gashly imp, Bill, stick its hugly 'ed over the
side and say, 'Tommy,' it ses, jest like that--it ses, 'Tommy, I wants
you!' I dursn't go near it, Bill. I'll get leave, and go 'ome and lay
up--it glared at me so 'orrid, Bill, and grinned--ugh! I'll take the
pledge after this 'ere, I will--I'll go to chapel Sundays reg'lar!"

"Let's see if there ain't something there first," said the practical
B