In
railroad parlance the car was what is known as a "club" car. Half
of the interior was bare and unfinished, like the compartment in
which, on special and limited trains, baggage is carried. This part
of the car, now exposed to view, was dimly lighted with one
incandescent bulb. In the half-light it could be seen that the
space was almost wholly filled with tanks, boxes, casks, crates and
bundles, all systematically braced to prevent jarring or smashing.
It was plainly not the luggage of ordinary travelers. Except for a
narrow passageway in the center of the car and a space about five
square next the open door, every inch, to the very ventilators of
the car, was crowded with bound or crated, numbered and tagged
packages. In the open space next the door Alan Hope now appeared.
"Coming yet?" he asked with apparent confidence as he peered
outside.
The colored boy Elmer shook his head.
Just then the conductor returned and again his watch.
"Eight minutes," he said; "time's getting along and I've got to go
back and see about my train. I don't want to make you nervous, but
do you want us to take this car if fails to get here with the
stuff?"
"I suppose there's no need," replied the military man, beginning to
show irritation.
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