Confident as Alan was, it
gave him a sinking feeling. Then, as the swish of tests sounded and
the gnome-like figures of the depot men crawled from under the car,
the Major looked again at his watch in despair.
"Four minutes--"
Before he could say more Alan caught sight of a movement among those
gathered around the last car at the far end of the depot.
"There he is!" he shouted and darted forward.
"He sho'ly is," exclaimed Elmer, his white teeth showing, "and Yar's
de screw driver and yar's de screws all ready."
A slowly moving truck had carefully turned the end of the waiting
train and, drawn by two baggage-room employees, was making its way
along the platform. By its side walked a boy--a lad of about
seventeen. One of his hands rested on the truck and his eyes were
carefully fixed on the load it bore. This was a black, iron-bound
case about four feet long, three feet deep and perhaps a yard in
height. On each side in red letters were the words:
"Explosive; no fire." Beneath this ominous legend were two large
iron handles.
When the men drawing the truck quickened their pace the boy spoke to
them sharply and they fell again into a steady walk.
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