Page:Ralph on the Railroad.djvu/945

Rh "Who was he?" inquired Ralph.

"I never saw him before. He was curious all about your run, hung around a while and then disappeared. I haven't seen him since."

"Describe him, won't you?" and the station agent did so. Ralph was sure that the stranger was the youth he had known as Marvin Clark. From that time on until the train got ready for the return trip, the young railroader kept his eyes open for a glimpse of his acquaintance with the double identity. The latter, however, up to the time No. 999 steamed out from Riverton, did not put in an appearance.

"Well, nobody tackled us at Riverton," observed Ralph, as he and Fogg settled down comfortably to their respective tasks.

"Better not," retorted the fireman keenly. "I just made a little purchase this morning, and I'm going to stand no fooling," and he touched his hip pocket meaningly. "Have a swig?" he inquired additionally, as he reached for the jar of coffee and took a drink.

"Oh, I could feast on my mother's coffee all day," observed Ralph as the jar was passed to him. "Now, then, you finish it up and hand me one of those doughnuts."

The little refection seemed to add to the satisfaction of the moment. Their run was a slow