removed from the guard's van under the direction of passengers,
and there was no sign whatever of Helen's trunks. This absence of
Helen's trunks did not in the least surprise James Ollerenshaw; he was
perfectly aware that Helen's trunks reposed, at that self-same instant,
in the lost luggage office at Crewe; but, of course, he had to act
surprise. In case of necessity he could act very well. It was more
difficult for him to act sorrow than to act surprise; but he did both to
his own satisfaction. He climbed into the van and scanned its
corners--in vain. Then, side by side, they visited the other van at the
head of the train, with an equal result.

The two guards, being Scotch, responded to inquiries with extreme
caution. All that they would answer for was that the trunks were not in
the train. Then the train was drawn out of the station by a toy-engine,
and the express engine followed it with grave dignity, and Helen and
Jimmy were left staring at the empty rails.

"Something must be done," said Helen, crossly.

"Ay!" Jimmy agreed. "It's long past my tea-time. We must find out if
there's anything to eat i' Scotland."

But Helen insisted on visiting the stationmaster. Now, the stationmaster
at St. Enoch's is one of the most important personages north of the
Tweed, and not easily to be seen. However, Helen saw him. He pointed out
that the train came from London in two portions, which were divided in
Scotland, one going to Edinburgh, and his suggestion was that
conceivably the luggage had been put into the Edinburgh van in mistake
for the Glasgow van. Such errors did occur sometimes, he said, implying
that the North Western was an English railway, and that surprising
things happened in England. He said, also, that Helen might telephone to
Edinburgh and inquire.

She endeavoured to act on this counsel, but came out of the telephone
cabin saying that she could not get into communication with Edinburgh.

"Better go over to Edinburgh and see for yourself," said Jimmy,
tranquilly.

"Yes, and what about my steamer?" Helen turned on him.

"Scotland canna' be so big as all that," said Jimmy. "Not according to
th' maps. Us could run over to Edinburgh to-night, and get back to
Glasgow early to-morrow."

She consented.

Just as he was taking two second returns to Edinburgh (they had snatched
railway eggs and railway tea while waiting for a fast train) he stopped
and said:

"Unless ye prefer to sail without your trunks,