ght. If you are willing to take the risk, I am," said Jack.

They reached the spot designated by Alex, and brought the car to a stand.

Again came the whistle of the train. "Ready!" cried Alex. "The next
time!"

It came. Like sprinters they threw themselves at the car, and in a few
strides were racing down the rails at full speed; reached the head of the
grade, and sprang over the tail-board just as the train rumbled onto the
bridge.

Downward they shot, gaining momentum at every turn of the wheels.

"Whe-ew! But we're taking an awful chance," said Jack, nervously.

"No. Listen to her brakes," said Alex.

Despite his assurance, when, a moment later, the great engine suddenly
appeared out of the smoke and came thundering down upon them, Alex
faltered, and, with Jack, nervously clutched the sides of the little car.
But dashing on unrestrained, they yet further increased their mad speed,
and for a few seconds seemed even to be holding their own with the mighty
mogul.

Then the great engine began eating up the distance between them, and the
boys gathered themselves together for the supreme moment.

Closer came the roaring monster. "Now, don't jump," cautioned Alex, who
had regained his nerve. "Wait until she is just going to hit us, then
fall forward and grab the brace--that rod there.

"Here she comes! Ready! _Now!_"

With a jolt the engine hit the car, and in an instant the boys fell
forward, grasped a smoke-box brace, and in another moment had scrambled
to the top of the cow-catcher.

And they were safe!

When, ten minutes later, the train came to a standstill at Bixton, the
engineer suddenly felt his hair rise on end as two wildly unkempt and
blackened figures appeared slowly dismounting from the front of his
engine, and stumbled across the station platform. But the shout of joy
which greeted them told they were no ghosts.

"Although I think we weren't far from it, were we, Jack?" said Alex, at
home a few minutes after, when his mother made a similar comparison.

"I hope I'll not be as near it again for a long time to come," said Jack,
earnestly.

VIII

THE SECRET TELEGRAM

"Alex, will you work for me three or four hours to-night?" requested the
Bixton night operator of Alex one evening late in October. "I have just
had an invitation to a surprise party at Brodies', and wouldn't care to
miss it."

Alex agreed willingly. "I'll be right in line then for the latest news of
the chase," he de