"Mr. Barton, I am on special duty here to-night."
"That so, lad?" inquired the engineer.
"Yes, I suppose you know there is a good deal of missing freight in these night runs."
"I heard so," answered Barton, "but you see that is the business of the conductor, so I haven't much troubled myself about it."
"Still, you don't care to have these things occur in your runs."
"Should say not! Working on the case, Fairbanks?"
"Frankly, yes, Mr. Barton, and I want you to keep it quiet, but assist me when you can. I will be all over the train and the car tops to-night, and wanted to explain why to you."
"That's all right, lad. Just call on me if I can help you. Hello, you, Woods!" bawled the engineer suddenly to a fellow who appeared near the cab side, "what you doing there?"
The man slunk out of view at being addressed, with a muttered remark that it was his own business.
"Don't like that fellow—caboose look-out," explained Barton.
"I hope he did not overhear our conversation," spoke Ralph.
About mid-way of the train there was a gondola
