ent groaned. "He'll never do it! He'll never do it! She'll
be at the bridge in five minutes!"

[Illustration: JACK ROSE TO HIS KNEES, AND BEGAN WORKING HIS WAY
FORWARD FROM TIE TO TIE.]

"No; Broad is careful," declared the chief, referring to the engineer of
the coming train. "He won't keep up that speed when he strikes the worst
of the fog. There are eight or ten minutes yet."

Again came the long, mellow notes of the big engine, whistling a
crossing.

"Who's that?" said Alex suddenly, half turning from the window. The next
moment with a cry of "He's at the station! Orr's at the Park station!" he
darted to the calling instruments, and shot back an answer. The rest
rushed after, and crowded about him.

"I'm at the Park station," whirled the sounder. "I broke in. I lost the
oil can on the bridge. There is no oil here. What shall I do?"

As the chief read off the excited words to the superintendent, the
official sank limply and hopelessly into a chair.

"But might there not be some there, somewhere? Who would know, Mr.
Allen?"

At Alex's words the chief spun about. "McLaren, call Flanagan on the
'phone!" he cried. "Quick!"

The operator sprang to the telephone, and in intense silence the party
waited.

He got the number.

"Hello! Is Flanagan there?

"Say, is there any oil across the river at the Park station?

"For Heavens sake, don't ask questions! Is there?"

"Yes; he says there's a half barrel in the shed behind," reported the
operator.

Alex's hand shot back to the key.

At the first dot he paused.

Through the open window came a whistle, strong and clear.

The chief threw up his hands. Alex himself sank back in his chair,
helplessly.

Suddenly he again started forward.

"I have it!"

With the sharp words he again grasped the key, and while those about him
listened with bated breath he sent like a flash, "Jack, there's a barrel
of oil in the shed at the rear. Knock the head in, spill it, and set a
match to it.

_"Burn the station!"_

The chief and the operators gasped, then with one accord set up a shout
and darted back for the windows. The superintendent, told of the message,
rushed after.

In absolute silence all fixed their eyes on the spot a mile up the river
where lay the little summer depot.

Once more came the long-drawn "Too--oo, too--oo, oo, oo!" for a crossing.

"The next'll tell," said the chief tensely--"for the crossing this side
of the station, or--"

It came. It w