ime or get to
some point where we can find another engineer."

"I don't like it," said Ralph. "Without a fireman, too."

"I'll attend to that department," said Trevor, briskly throwing off
his coat. "Now then, the tower, your word to the operator there, and
make up for lost time, Fairbanks, if you want to earn that hundred
dollars."

CHAPTER XI

KIDNAPPED

Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very
anxious concerning his missing partner. He knew how to run an engine,
for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied
every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had
relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between
stations.

"That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a
special is a different thing."

Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there,
who was at the open window. He explained hurriedly about the
disappearance of Griscom. He also asked the towerman to telegraph
ahead to Dover for a substitute engineer. The operator said he would
have some men come down from the first station back on the route on a
handcar to search for the missing rail-roader.

"Man on your cowcatcher there," he called down as Ralph started up the
engine.

"No time to bother with him now. Let him ride to Dover, if he wants
to," advised Trevor. "Now, Fairbanks, you to the throttle, me to the
furnace. Just give me a word of direction when I need it, won't you?"

But for his anxiety concerning his missing partner, the young fireman
would have enjoyed the run of the next two hours immensely. There was
a clear track--he had only to look out for signals. He was entirely
familiar with the route, and Trevor proved a capable, practical
assistant.

"Don't look much like the man who left a palace car to step into a
locomotive at Stanley Junction, eh?" laughed the young man, reeking
with perspiration, and greasy and grimed. "How do I do--all right?"

"You must have had experience in the fireman line," submitted Ralph.

"Why, yes," acknowledged Trevor. "My uncle made me work in a
roundhouse for a year. Once I believe I could run an engine, but I've
forgotten a good deal. Fairbanks, look ahead!"

There was no occasion for the warning. Already the young fireman had
discovered what his companion announced. As the locomotive glided
around a sharp curve a great glare confronted them.

Not two hundred yards ahead w