The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-05

How should / know?" said Charles
aosently. He says he has been Lon
don detective I'LL just lately, but he is
an Inspector OF police now. Well?" as
the man returned
Booking clerk can't remember. sir: but
the clerk at the telegraph office remem-
bers young lady leaving a telegram
last nlght TO be sent on first thing this
morning"
has II been sent yet7"
Yes, sir; some time"
Where was IL sent tor"
mat Is against the rules sir The
clerk mas no right 20 give information
Anyhow IL Is as good as certain from
what you say that the party was In the
train and at all events you will not be
kept In doubt much longer" and he
pointed 10 the long expected pun OF white
smoke In the direction in which all eyes
had been so anxiously turned The train
came slowly round a broad curve and
craWled into the station. Ralph had
come up, and his eyes were fixed intent
iy upon 1t. The hand he laid on Charles
arm shook little as he whispered in a
hoarse voice:
Il must speak to her alone before any,
thing is said"
'You SHALL" replied Charles and he
moved forward little and waited for
the passengers TO alight felt that any
chance OF escape which lay I'm eluding
those Keen eyes would be small indeed.
Ihen ensued scene of confusion n
babel OF tongues. as the passengers pour
ed out upon the platform. What was
the meaning OF IL all?" hotly demanded
an infuriated little man before ne was
well out Of the carriage Why had a train
been allowed 10 start II II was 10 be over
turned by a snow drift?
What had the cOmpanN heen nhouf not
10 make itself aware OF the state of the
line? What did the railway officials
mean by-etc., etc.
But he was not going TO put up with
such scandalous treatment He should
cause an inquiry 20 be made he should
write TO The Times; he should--in short.
he behaved like true Englishman I'm
adverse circumstances, and poured forth
abuse like water. Others followed--some
angry. some silent. all cold and misera hle
A stout woman in black who had been
sent for 10 a dying child was weeping
aloud; dazed man with bound w head
and terrified wife were pounced upon i'm
mediately by expectant friends and borne
off with voluble sympathy.
One or two people slightly hurt were
helped out after tho others. The train
was emptied at last. Aurelia was not
there. Charles went down the length ot
the train. looking into each carriage. and
then came back. answering Ralnh's
glance with a shake OF the head The
man I'm black. who seemed to have been
watching him. came up.
Have all come back Ly this train?'
Cha rles asked
"All. sir. except'-and he hesitated-
except few The doctor who went has
not returned. and the guard says there
were some OF the passengers badly hurt
that he would not allow to be moved
from the farm when the train came for
them. The engine driver and one or two
others were'----
Charles made sign 10 him to be ST.
lent IN
How far Is it," he asked
Twenty miles. sir"
Are the roads practicabie?"
No sir. At least they would be very
uncertain once you got into the lanes"
we can walk along the line" said
Ralph. That must be clear. Let us
start at once.' #t
Gould not the station master send us
down on an engine?" asked Charles. 1--WE
would nay well for IT,"
The police inspector shook his head.
but Charles went off TO inquire never
theless. and he followed him. 7 thought
him very nus ing. inquisitive kind OF
person. ] have always had a great dis
like to the idle curiosity which Is con-
tinually prying into the concerns OF
others. Ralph and I walked up and
down. up and down the now deserted
platform. ! spoke To him once or twice.
but he hardly answered. and after a time
! gave II up and we paced in silence.
At last Charles returned, His request