train was moving rapidly out of the station. Soon it would be
going at full speed.

Professor Ruggles had two incentives for leaving the train now--one to
escape the detective, the other to find Nell and Madge Scarlet.

At first he thought of dashing upon Dyke Darrel and risking all in a
swift rush. Second thought, induced by the gleam of a six-shooter in
the hand of his enemy, concluded the Professor to seek another course.
Turning, he dashed down the length of the car, with Darrel in hot
pursuit.

"Halt, or I fire!"

But the detective's cry had no effect.

The half-sleeping passengers were roused by the wonderful movements of
the two men.

"Madmen!"

"What IS the trouble?"

Such were the exclamations, as doors slammed, and the two men swept
into the next car. From coach to coach sped the pursued and the
pursuer. It was a flight for life, on the part of Professor Ruggles.

His plug hat flew off in the chase, and a brakeman who confronted him
in the aisle was knocked flat with terrific force.

"Murder!"

And then both men disappeared from the rear platform.

Dyke Darrel believed he had his man in a corner, when he saw him dash
through the door at the rear of the long train.

Not so, however.

The desperate Ruggles was ready to do anything rather than come in
contact with his relentless foe. He bounded clear of the train,
landing in a soft bit of sand, sinking almost to his knees, without
harming him in the least.

The detective did not hesitate to follow, but he made a
miscalculation, owing to his bodily weakness, and instead of landing
on his feet, he came down with stunning force across one of the rails.

Dyke Darrel lay insensible, like one dead.

Had his enemy come upon him then he might have finished the career of
the daring man-hunter, without the least danger to himself. For once,
Professor Ruggles missed it woefully.

As the detective was ten yards behind the Professor, and the car was
going at good speed, there was quite twenty rods difference between
the two men when they landed. Dyke Darrel was completely hidden from
the sight of Ruggles by a clump of trees.

Ruggles gazed up the track, but saw nothing of his pursuer. He
surmised that Dyke Darrel did not leap from the train, but it was
likely he would ring the bell and stop the cars at once, so that it
would not do to for him to remain in the vicinity unless he wished to
collide with the detective.

Another supposition also came to