The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1903-03-13

Ouce again Callctt, ha'inS HO cel'
tainty that l could be heard, but Ger.
tain at last l heard no reply. Why
should worry further? The next
compartment was not empty, that
knew. If the newcomer was really i'll
and wanted help he could get it from
his travelling companion, the man in
the loose ulster and cap tied under his
chin. whom believed to be in the car
riage with him. So l dismissed the
matter from my mind and sank back
among the cushions of my seat to rest
and be satisfied.
must have dczed off, but only for
a minute or two as l thought, and
seemed to be still asleep and dreaming
when again I heard groan in the next
carriage. 1t was perfectly vivid and
distinct impression: as half waking
dreams so often are. | could not at
the moment say whether what followed
was reality or fgment also of my
drowsy BRAIN What | heard l have
said was a groan fraught with keen
anguish; what saw was quite as clear,
but still more extraordinary and unac-
countable.
The train had slowed down and was
almost at standstill We were in a
tunnel; the lamps in the carriages
threw a strong light upon the brick
walls and reflected all that was going
on in the compartment next mine (none
of the others near had any occupant).
But in this, the adjoining compart-
ment, two figures stood out plainly
mems figures, and one held the other
closely in his arms. More than this l
could not make out. l saw it clearly,
although but a brief space only, few
seconds of time, for now the train
moved on rapidly with increasing
speed, and we ran out of the tunnel.
The reflected scene, of course, disar-
peared at once as completely as though
wiped off a slate.
There was trouble next door, of
what nature it was impossible to guess,
but l felt that it must he ascertained
forthwith. If it was case of serious
illness then tho one hale man would
surely ring the alarm bell and seek
assistance for the other; if it was foul
play he would make no sign, and it
then became my bounden duty to in
terpose without delay.
These thoughts flashed quickly
through my mind, and it seemed an
age while l waited to resolve my
doubts. Probably 10 more than few
seconds elapsed before l put my hand
to the signal and stopped the train. |
was first to get out, and hardly wait
ing the stoppage l clambered along
the footboard and stood upon it, look
ing into the carriage.
No one was to be seen within.
"Quick, quick!' l cried to the guard
when he came up. "In here. Some
thing has happened There is a man
sick; I fear he has tainted. lie wasn't
alone, but I cannot see the other man."
Now the carriage door was opened
and disclosed body lying recumbent,
inert, in a strangely stiff, haphazard
fashion on the floor. The guard stopped
down, waving his lantern over the
white, drawn face and moving the body
gently on one side.
Gall 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?''
l described what l had heard or
thought had heard and seen, includ-
ing the glimpse reflected in the tunnel.
"You must have been dreaming or
you're inventng." was the guards
rather abrupt comment. Couldn't
have seen anything like that tain
possible. And how comes it you know
such a lot about ii? You tell us, too,
there was another man in the carriage
what's become Of him? A fine
story!''
"Would | have given the alarm if |
was implicated in any way?' | an
swered hotly. Don't he tool,
guard
The guard would have answered me
rudely, 70 doubt, but at that moment
a doctor appeared upon the scene.
The man is dead-5eyond all qnes-
tion deai,'' he said at the very fist
glance.
"And the cause uf ,leatl?' | asked
eagerly, while the guard frowned at
me as though were making myself
too busy. "Are there any marks of
foul play?'
"None visible,' replied the doctor,
after a brief examination. Il should
,,,, = ,u,, I,,,,t l>,t T .4