the vanished messenger-第2章

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me　very　much　if　you　will　tell　the　engine…driver　that　there　will　be
a　five　pound　note　for　himself　and　his　companion　if　we　catch　the
mail。　　Inspector！〃

The　inspector　touched　his　hat。　　The　station…master　had　turned
discreetly　away。　　He　had　been　an　inspector　himself　once；　and
sovereigns　had　been　useful　to　him；　too。　　Then　the　train　glided　from
the　platform　side；　plunged　with　a　scream　through　a　succession　of
black　tunnels；　and　with　rapidly　increasing　speed　faced　the　storm。




CHAPTER　II

The　young　man　sat　on　one　side　of　the　saloon　and　Mr。　John　P。　Dunster
on　the　other。　　Although　both　of　them　were　provided　with　a　certain
amount　of　railway　literature；　neither　of　them　made　any　pretence　at
reading。　　The　older　man；　with　his　feet　upon　the　opposite　seat　and
his　arms　folded；　was　looking　pensively　through　the　rain…splashed
window…pane　into　the　impenetrable　darkness。　　The　young　man；　although
he　could　not　ignore　his　companion's　unsociable　instincts；　was
fidgety。

〃There　will　be　some　floods　out　to…morrow；〃　he　remarked。

Mr。　Dunster　turned　his　head　and　looked　across　the　saloon。　　There
was　something　in　the　deliberate　manner　of　his　doing　so；　and　his
hesitation　before　he　spoke；　which　seemed　intended　to　further　impress
upon　the　young　man　the　fact　that　he　was　not　disposed　for　conversation。

〃Very　likely；〃　was　his　sole　reply。

Gerald　Fentolin　sighed　as　though　he　regretted　his　companion's
taciturnity　and　a　few　minutes　later　strolled　to　the　farther　end　of
the　saloon。　　He　spent　some　time　trying　to　peer　through　the　streaming
window　into　the　darkness。　　He　chatted　for　a　few　minutes　with　the
guard；　who　was；　however；　in　a　bad　temper　at　having　had　to　turn　out
and　who　found　little　to　say。　　Then　he　took　one　of　his　golf　clubs
from　the　bag　and　indulged　in　several　half　swings。　　Finally　he
stretched　himself　out　upon　one　of　the　seats　and　closed　his　eyes。

〃May　as　well　try　to　get　a　nap；〃　he　yawned。　　〃There　won't　be　much
chance　on　the　steamer；　if　it　blows　like　this。〃

Mr。　Dunster　said　nothing。　　His　face　was　set；　his　eyes　were　looking
somewhere　beyond　the　confines　of　the　saloon　in　which　he　was　seated。
So　they　travelled　for　over　an　hour。　　The　young　man　seemed　to　be
dozing　in　earnest　when；　with　a　succession　of　jerks；　the　train
rapidly　slackened　speed。　　Mr。　Dunster　let　down　the　window。　　The
interior　of　the　carriage　was　at　once　thrown　into　confusion。　　A
couple　of　newspapers　were　caught　up　and　whirled　around；　a　torrent
of　rain　beat　in。　　Mr。　Dunster　rapidly　closed　the　window　and　rang
the　bell。　　The　guard　came　in　after　a　moment　or　two。　　His　clothes
were　shiny　from　the　wet；　raindrops　hung　from　his　beard。

〃What　is　the　matter？〃　Mr。　Dunster　demanded。　　〃Why　are　we　waiting
here？〃

〃There's　a　block　on　the　line　somewhere；　the　man　replied。　　〃Can't
tell　where　exactly。　　The　signals　are　against　us；　that's　all　we
know　at　present。〃

They　crawled　on　again　in　about　ten　minutes；　stopped；　and　resumed
their　progress　at　an　even　slower　rate。　　Mr。　Dunster　once　more
summoned　the　guard。

〃Why　are　we　travelling　like　this？〃　he　asked　impatiently。　　〃We　shall
never　catch　the　boat。〃

〃We　shall　catch　the　boat　all　right　if　it　runs；　sir；〃　the　man　assured
him。　　〃The　mail　is　only　a　mile　or　two　ahead　of　us；　that's　one　reason
why　we　have　to　go　so　slowly。　　Then　the　water　is　right　over　the　line
where　we　are　now；　and　we　can't　get　any　news　at　all　from　the　other
side　of　Ipswich。　　If　it　goes　on　like　this；　some　of　the　bridges　will
be　down；　that's　what　I'm　afraid　of。〃

Mr。　Dunster　frowned。　　For　the　first　time　he　showed　some　signs　of
uneasiness。

〃Perhaps；〃　he　muttered；　half　to　himself；〃　a　motorcar　would　have　been
better。〃

〃Not　on　your　life；〃　his　young　companion　intervened。　　〃All　the　roads
to　the　coast　here　cross　no　end　of　small　bridges　…　much　weaker
affairs　than　the　railway　bridges。　　I　bet　there　are　some　of　those
down　already。　　Besides；　you　wouldn't　be　able　to　see　where　you　were
going；　on　a　night　like　this。〃

〃There　appears　to　be　a　chance；〃　Mr。　Dunster　remarked　drily；　〃that
you　will　have　to　scratch　for　your　competition　to…morrow。〃

〃Also；〃　the　young　man　observed；　〃that　you　will　have　taken　this
special　train　for　nothing。　　I　can't　fancy　the　Harwich　boat　going
out　a　night　like　this。〃

Mr。　Dunster　relapsed　into　stony　but　anxious　silence。　　The　train
continued　its　erratic　progress；　sometimes　stopping　altogether　for
a　time；　with　whistle　blowing　repeatedly；　sometimes　creeping　along
the　metals　as　though　feeling　its　way　to　safety。　　At　last；　after　a
somewhat　prolonged　wait；　the　guard；　whose　hoarse　voice　they　had
heard　on　the　platform　of　the　small　station　in　which　they　were
standing；　entered　the　carriage。　　With　him　came　a　gust　of　wind；　once
more　sending　the　papers　flying　around　the　compartment。　　The　rain
dripped　from　his　clothes　on　to　the　carpet。　　He　had　lost　his　hat；
his　hair　was　tossed　with　the　wind；　his　face　was　bleeding　from　a
slight　wound　on　the　temple。

〃The　boat　train's　just　ahead　of　us；　sir；〃　he　announced。　　〃She　can't
get　on　any　better　than　we　can。　　We've　just　heard　that　there's　a
bridge　down　on　the　line　between　Ipswich　and　Harwich。〃

〃What　are　we　going　to　do；　then？〃　Mr。　Dunster　demanded。

〃That's　just　what　I've　come　to　ask　you；　sir；〃　the　guard　replied。
〃The　mail's　going　slowly　on　as　far　as　Ipswich。　　I　fancy　they'll
lie　by　there　until　the　morning。　　The　best　thing　that　I　can　see　is；
if　you're　agreeable；　to　take　you　back　to　London。　　We　can　very
likely　do　that　all　right；　if　we　start　at　once。〃

Mr。　Dunster；　ignoring　the　man's　suggestion；　drew　from　one　of　the
voluminous　pockets　of　his　ulster　a　small　map。　　He　spread　it　open
upon　the　table　before　him　and　studied　it　attentively。

〃If　I　cannot　get　to　Harwich；〃　he　asked；　〃is　there　any　possibility
of　keeping　straight　on　and　reaching　Yarmouth？〃

The　guard　hesitated。

〃We　haven't　heard　anything　about　the　line　from　Ipswich　to　Norwich；
sir；〃　he　replied；　〃but　we　can't　very　well　change　our　course　without
definite　instructions。〃

〃Your　definite　instructions；〃　Mr。　Dunster　reminded　him　drily；　〃were
to　take　me　to　Harwich。　　You　have　been　forced　to　depart　from　them。
I　see　no　harm　in　your　adopting　any　suggestions　I　may　have　to　make
concerning　our　altered　destination。　　I　will　pay　the　extra　mileage；
naturally。〃

〃How　far　did　you　wish　to　go；　sir？〃　the　guard　enquired。

〃To　Yarmouth；〃　Mr。　Dunster　replied　firmly。　　〃If　there　are　bridges
down；　and　communication　with　Harwich　is　blocked；　Yarmouth　would
suit　me　better　than　anywhere。〃

The　guard　shook　his　head。

〃I　couldn't　go　on　that　way；　sir；　without　instructions。〃

〃Is　there　a　telegraph　office　at　this　station？〃　Mr。　Dunster　inquired。

〃We　can　speak　anywhere　on　the　line；〃　the　guard　replied。

〃Then　wire　to　the　station…master　at　Liverpool　Street；〃　Mr。　Dunster
instructed。　　〃You　can　get　a　reply　from　him　in　the　course　of　a　few
minutes。　　Explain　the　situation　and　tell　him　what　my　wishes　are。〃

The　guard　hesitated。

〃It's　a　goodish　way　from　here　to　Norwich；〃　he　observed；　〃and　for
all　we　know　…〃

〃When　we　left　Liverpool　Street　Station；〃　Mr。　Dunster　interrupted；
〃I　promised　five　pounds　each　to　you；　the　engine…driver；　and　his　mate。
That　five　pounds　shall　be　made　twenty…five　if　you　succeed　in
getting　me　to　the　coast。　　Do　your　best　for　me。〃

The　guard　raised　his　hat　and　departed　without　another　word。

〃It　will　probably　suit　you　better；〃　Mr。　Dunster　continued；　turning
to　his　companion；　〃　to　leave　me　at　Ipswich　and　join　the　mail。〃

The　latter　shook　his　head。

〃I　don't　see　that　there's　any　chance；　anyway；　of　my　getting　over　in
time　now；〃　he　remarked。　　〃If　you'll　take　me　on　with　you　as　far　as
Norwich；　I　can　go　quietly　home　from　there！〃

〃You　live　in　this　part　of　the　world；　then？〃　Mr。　Dunster　asked。

The　young　man　assented。　　Again　there　was　a　certain　amount　of
hesitation　in　his　manner。

〃I　live　some　distance　the　other　side　of　Norwich；〃　he　said。　　〃I　don't
want　to　sponge　on　you　too　much；〃　he　went　on；　〃but　if　you're　really
going　to　stick　it　out　and　try　and　get　there；　I'd　like　to　go　on；　too。
I　am　afraid　I　can't　offer　to　share　the　expense；　but　I'd　work　my
passage　if　there　was　anything　to　be　done。〃

Mr。　Dunster　drummed　for　a　moment　upon　the　table　with　his　fingers。
All　the　time　the　young　man　had　been　speaking；　his　eyes　had　been
studying　his　face。　　He　turned　now　once　more　to　his　map。

〃It　was　my　idea；〃　he　said；　〃to　hire　a　steam　trawler　from　Yarmouth。
If　I　do　so；　you　can；　if　you　wish；　accompany　me　so　far　as　the　port
at　which　we　may　land　in　Holland。　　On　the　other　hand；　to　be　perfectly
frank　with　you；　I　should　prefer　to　go　alone。　　There　will　be；　no
doubt；　a　certain　amount　of　risk　in　crossing　tonight。　　My　own　business
is　of　importance。　　A　golf　tournament；　however；　is　scarcely　worth
risking　your　life　for；　is　it？〃

〃Oh；　I　don't　know　about　that！〃　the　young　man　replied　grimly。　　〃I
fancy　I　should　rather　like　it。　　Let's　see　whether　we　can　get　on　to
Norwich；　anyhow；　shall　we？　　We　may　find　that　there　are　bridges　down
on　that　line。〃

They　relapsed　once　more　into　silence。　　Presently　the　guard
reappeared。

〃Instructions　to　take　you　on　to　Yarmouth；　if　possible；　sir；〃　he
announced；　〃and　to　collect　the　mileage　at　our　destination。〃

〃That　will　be　quite　satisfactory；〃　Mr。　Dunster　agreed。　　〃Let　us　be
off；　then；　as　soon　as　possible。〃　　Presently　they　crawled　on。　　They
passed　the　boat　train　in　Ipswich　Station；　where　they　stayed　for　a
few　moments。　　Mr。　Dunster　bought　wine　and　sandwiches；　and　his
companion　followed　his　example。　　Then　they　continued　their　journey。
An　hour　or　more　passed；　the　storm　showed　no　signs　of　abatement。
Their　speed　now　rarely　exceeded　ten　or　fifteen　miles　an　hour。　　Mr。
Dunster　smoked　all　the　time；　occasionally　rubbing　the　window…pane
and　trying　to　look　out。　　Gerald　Fentolin　slept　fitfully。

〃Have　you　any　idea　where　we　are？〃　Mr。　Dunster　asked　once。

The　boy　cautiously　let　down　the　window　a　little　way。　　With　the　noise
of　the　storm　came　another　sound；　to　which　he　listened　for　a　moment
with　puzzled　face：　a　dull；　rumbling　sound　like　the　falling　of　water。
He　closed　the　window；　breathless。

〃I　don't　think　we　are　far　from　Norwich。　　We　passed　Forncett；　anyhow；
some　time　ago。〃

〃Still　raining？〃

〃In　torrents！　　I　can't　see　a　yard　ahead　of　me。　　I　bet　we　get　some
floods　after　this。　　I　expect　they　are　out　now；　if　one　could　only　see。〃

They　crept　on。　　Suddenly；　above　the　storm；　they　heard　what　sounded
at　first　like　the　booming　of　a　gun；　and　then　a　shrill　whistle　from
some　distance　ahead。　　They　felt　the　jerk　as　their　brakes　were　hastily
applied；　the　swaying　of　the　little　train；　and　then　the　crunching　of
earth　beneath　them；　the　roar　of　escaping　steam　as　their　engine
ploughed　its　way　on　into　the　road　bed。

〃Off　the　rails！〃　the　boy　cried；　springing　to　his　feet。　　〃Hold　on
tightly；　sir。　　I'd　keep　away　from　the　window。〃

The　carriage　swayed　and　rocked。　　Suddenly　a　telegraph　post　seemed
to　come　crashing　through　the　window　and　the　polished　mahogany　panels。
The　young　man　escaped　it　by　leaping　to　one　side。　　It　caught　Mr。
Dunster；　who　had　just　risen　to　his　feet；　upon　the　forehead。　　There
was　a　crash　all　around　of　splitting　glass；　a　further　shock。　　They
were　both　thrown　off　their　feet。　　The　light　was　suddenly　extinguished。
With　the　crashing　of　glass；　the　splitting　of　timber　…　a　hide