as a mass of flames shooting skywards.
The bridge crossing a creek that was located at this part of the route
was on fire.

Ralph started to slow down. Then, discerning the impossibility of
doing so this side of the burning structure, he set full speed.

"It's make or break," he said, in a kind of gasp.

"Put her through--take the risk," ordered Trevor sharply.

Swish! crackle! crash!--it was an eventful moment in the career of the
young fireman. There was a blinding glow, a rain of fire swayed
through the locomotive cab, then, just as they cleared the bridge, the
structure went down to midstream.

"We must get this news to Dover quick," said Ralph, applying himself
anew to lever and throttle. "We have ten minutes to make up then."

Clink!--snap!--a terrific jar shook the locomotive. Contrary to signal
given at the nearest switch ahead, the engine veered to a siding.

"What does this mean?" demanded Trevor sharply.

"Mischief--malice, perhaps," said Ralph quickly. "Freights ahead--we
shall have to stop."

"Don't do it," directed Trevor. "Drive into them and push them ahead
to the main line again. I'll stand all damage."

"They are empties, I noticed them on the afternoon run," said the
young fireman. "Mr. Trevor, all this complication, all these
happenings are suspicious. We will have to slow down to the
freights."

"Slow down entirely," growled a sudden voice. "Do it, or I'll have it
done by my partner, who is aboard all right."

Both Ralph and Trevor turned sharply. Standing on the coal of the
tender was a man. He was dripping with water, and in one hand held a
revolver.

"No delay, Fairbanks," he cautioned sternly. "We've taken too much
trouble to miss this last chance to get you and your passenger."

Ralph stopped the engine. Then calmly, but with a certain sense of
peril and defeat, he faced the man.

"Where did you come from?" demanded Trevor in amazement.

"Only from inside the water tank," responded the stranger coolly.
"Been there since we left Stanley Junction."

"Why, you are one of the fellows who were following me at the depot!"
cried Trevor.

"Correct, boss," chuckled the stranger. "Here's my partner," he
announced, as the man Ralph had discovered on the cowcatcher appeared
at the side of the cab. "We'll relieve you two now," continued the
speaker to Ralph and Trevor. "Move back on that coal. We'll try a bit
of engineering ourselves."

"See here, my man," called out Trevor sharply.