keman, saw him grasp the railing and swing himself out of
sight. A moment later the man walked into the car, stopped dead, and
turned sharp, inquisitive eyes on the gray mask.

About the figure was a somber air, accentuated by a black felt hat,
drawn low over the eyes. It let Garth see, however, a sharp and
colorless face which conveyed an impression of uncommon forcefulness.

After a moment the slender man leaned over and spoke with a leer.

"You must be a star gambler, judging from your face."

He continued to stare as though expectant of an answer. Perhaps some
countersign was demanded. If that was so the whole enterprise swayed in
the balance. Garth concentrated his thoughts with difficulty. One word
had strayed circuitously from the gang to him. He used it at random,
trying to approximate the voice he had heard at the bridge.

"That depends on whether I hold the ace."

The slender man continued to stare. Garth's heart sank, but at last the
other straightened with a nod.

"Suppose you take a little stroll with me."

Garth arose and followed him down the aisle. He didn't know whether to
interpret that quick command as acceptance or condemnation. He might be
going to the work for which he had been chosen, or--and he realized how
likely that was--to an execution. Yet he had no alternative. He must
follow the slender, sinister figure into dark places not knowing.

They paused on the platform. Garth thought it likely that one of the
inspector's men was in the car, but of course the fellow would not
confess himself by stepping to the vestibule at their heels. It would be
enough for him to know that they were on board and that the train was
not scheduled to stop before reaching the Grand Central Station.

Garth knew that, too. Therefore he could not understand why his
conductor stooped and with an air of confidence opened the vestibule
door and raised the trap. Garth started, for, as if the engineer were an
accomplice and had received some subtle signal, the brakes commenced to
grind while the train lost its speed rapidly.

The slender man grasped Garth's arm, and, as the train stopped, leapt
with him to the right of way and hurried him into the shadows at the
foot of the embankment. Any men the inspector might have had on the
train had been outwitted.

He saw ahead the red and green lights of an open draw-bridge. He
understood now, and marvelled at the simplicity of the trick. Certainly
it would not have occu