Dyke Darrel possessed a
suspicious mind, and he could not reconcile appearances with the
innocence of young Harry Bernard.
Deeply meditating, the detective scarcely noticed the opening of the
car door opposite his position. His gaze, however, soon met the form
of a man as he stepped across the narrow opening between the coaches.
The detective was instantly on the alert. He was not to be caught
napping, as he had been once before that night.
The moment the stranger passed to his platform, Dyke Darrel faced him
with a drawn revolver in his hand.
"Mr., I want a word with you."
Thus uttered the thick-set passenger, and then Dyke Darrel recognized
the man who had boarded the train at the first station outside of St.
Louis.
"What is it you want?" demanded the detective shortly.
"THIS!"
With the word, the man lunged forward. Divining his movement, Dyke
Darrel sank suddenly to the steps, and his assailant plunged headlong
from the train!
CHAPTER IX.
WORDS THAT STARTLE.
It seemed a terrible plunge into eternity. Not for one moment did the
detective lose his presence of mind, however. Straightening, he
reached up and grasped the bell-cord.
Ere many seconds the train came to a stop.
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