Page:Cy Warman--The express messenger and other tales of the rail.djvu/205

193 were all signed "T. J. G." by the train-master himself. The thing was plain: he had given a lap order but had discovered his mistake in time, by the good fortune that had left the light engine at Westcreek, to prevent an awful disaster. He was a good fellow and they were all glad he had saved himself, although the incident might work to his embarrassment when he came up for promotion. Incidentally, they were glad that they were alive.

To appreciate the mysterious part of the tale, the reader should understand the value of time—not of hours and minutes, but of seconds—in handling trains on a single track railroad. It will be remembered that Goodlough discovered his mistake at 9-27. No. 8 was due to pass Westcreek at 9-28 and at 9-29 the superintendent had seen the train-master collapse. It will be remembered, also, that No. 8 was two minutes late, but the man who had sent the lap order did not know it, and his nerve would not last until he could find it out. The order to hold No. 8—the order which prevented the collision and doubtless saved