The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-12-19
A TRAGEDY IN A TUNNEL


stopped down, waving his lantern over
the white. drawn face and moving the
body gently on one side.
"All up with him, / expect. Run,
somebody, along the train and see If
there's doctor aboard And you, sir,
what do you know Of this?'
described what / had heard or
though I had heard and seen, including
the glimpse reflected in the tunnel.
You must have been dreaming or
you're inventing," was the guards
rather abrupt comment. Couldn't
have seen anything like that-'tain't
possible. And how comes it you know
such lot about it? You tell us, too,
there was another man in the carriage
what's become Of him? A fine
storyw
Would have given the alarm If
l was implicated in any way?' / an
swered holly. Don't be fool.
guard
The guard would have answered me
rudely, no doubt, but at that moment
a doctor appeared upon the scene.
THE man is dead-beyond all ques-
ton dead" he said at the very first
glance.
''And the cause of death?" I asked
eagerly, while the guard frowned at
me as though / were making myself
too busy. Are there any marks of
foul playa"
None visible replied the doctor
after brief examination. II should
say it was heart, but / cannot be
certain till / have looked further"
which you can do somewhere else
and better than here" interposed the
guard. We've lost too much time
already. / must push on to York and
report there. This is too big a job for
me-
You had better go back to Grant
ham," I protested IT'S quite close
not half a dozen miles,
Il don't want you to teach me my
duty, and I'm not going. I've got first
Of all to keep time. Why should | go
back?''
To identify the dead mamie got
in at Grantham-and to give Informal
ton as to the man who got out"
"Oh, bosh!" cried the guard ''There
was no man-no one but yourself, and
you've got to come along with me, and
-that''-he pointed to the corpse-"on
to York"
i certainly shall not go on with the
train. / shall go back to Grantham
alone. There is no time to be lost.
The other mani
I thought the guard would have
struck me. He was obviously ready
to lay violent hands on me, and he re-
peated that he meant to take me on
to York. if necessary by force.
You've no authority. You're not a
police officer, and am, or as good, for
I am government official. Here is
my card. Let there be an end Of this.
! think you are wrong in going on, but
at any rate shall walk back to Grant
ham by the line. Be SO good as to
look after my things in the next COM
partment," and with that / alighted
and left the guard rather crestfallen.
Within a few minutes, walking rap
idly, re-entered the tunnel which had
been the scene of the strange incident,
and in less than half an hour reached
the station. 1t was dimly lighted, for
the next express train, the 1905 up"
was nearly due, and there were several
officials upon the platform.
went up to one, an inspector, and
briefly told him what had happened.
Dear. dear! OF course. / remem-
Der. That was Mr.. Erasmus Bateman.
He belongs here-a rich man, greatly
respected; has the big stores in High
street. He was in hurry to catch
that train, for he was going down to-
night for the great timber auction at
Hull tomorrow. He buys lot for his
furniture factory-that is, he did,
suppose ought to say. Poor Mr.
Bateman! He was heavy, overfat for
his age and he ought not to have run
so fast"
Would he be likely to have much
money on him?" / asked.
why, yes; likely enough. He was
his own buyer, and he always bought
for cash.
Here was motive for foul play. l
saw the disappearance of this second
passenger explained. Bateman had
died suddenly almost in the other
mans arms.
If evilly disposed it would be but the
matter of moment for the latter to
get possession of purse and pocket
book and all valuabIes- everything, IN
fact-and make of, leaving the car
rage at once, even at the risk Of his
life.
1t was a pretty, a plausible theory
enough, and put it before the inspect
or with the whole of the facts.
I'm inclined to agree with you, sir.
always supposing there was any such
man." he replied. 'sYour tunnel story
is big mouthful to swallow"
There he goes" / whispered, clutch
ing at the inspectors arm and point
ing to the tails of a check ulster dis
appearing into the booking office. "He
mast not see me; he might recognize
me as having been in the north ex-
press. But go-sharp's the word. Find
out where he's booking to and take a
ticket for me to the same place. Here
are couple Of sovereigns. You'll find
me in the waiting ROOM"
He came to me there. bringing
ticket for Kings Cross. the other
mans destination.