in the crown and of soft gray
felt, would alone have betrayed his nationality. His clothes, however,
were also American in cut. His boots were narrow and of unmistakable
shape. He ate his sandwich with suspicion, and after his first sip of
coffee ordered a whiskey and soda. Afterwards he sat leaning back in
his chair, glancing every now and then at the clock, but otherwise
manifesting no signs of impatience. In less than half an hour an
inspector, cap in hand, entered the room and announced that everything
was ready. Mr. Hamilton Fynes put on his hat, picked up his suitcase,
and followed him on to the platform. A long saloon carriage, with a
guard's brake behind and an engine in front, was waiting there.

"We've done our best, sir," the station-master remarked with a note of
self-congratulation in his tone. "It's exactly twenty-two minutes since
you came into the office, and there she is. Finest engine we've got on
the line, and the best driver. You've a clear road ahead too. Wish you a
pleasant journey, sir."

"You are very good, sir," Mr. Hamilton Fynes declared. "I am sure that
my friends on the other side will appreciate your attention. By what
time do you suppose that we shall reach London?"

The station-master glanced at the clock.

"It is now eight o'clock, sir," he announced. "If my orders down the
line are properly attended to, you should be there by twenty minutes to
twelve."

Mr. Hamilton Fynes nodded gravely and took his seat in the car. He had
previously walked its entire length and back again.

"The train consists only of this carriage?" he asked. "There is no other
passenger, for instance, travelling in the guard's brake?"

"Certainly not, sir," the station-master declared. "Such a thing would
be entirely against the regulations. There are five of you, all told, on
board,--driver, stoker, guard, saloon attendant, and yourself."

Mr. Hamilton Fynes nodded, and appeared satisfied.

"No more luggage, sir?" the guard asked.

"I was obliged to leave what I had, excepting this suitcase, upon the
steamer," Mr. Hamilton Fynes explained. "I could not very well expect
them to get my trunk up from the hold. It will follow me to the hotel
tomorrow."

"You will find that the attendant has light refreshments on board, sir,
if you should be wanting anything," the station-master announced. "We'll
start you off now, then. Good-night, sir!"

Mr. Fynes nodded genially.

"Good-night, Station-master!" he said