He succeeded in gaining the platform of the third car ahead.
Though his knees shook under him, the turnback swung up on to the steps.

In another moment, after noting that the cadets were not looking particularly towards the door, Haynes turned the knob, stepping inside and dropping, with feigned carelessness, into an empty seat.
"Hullo, Haynesy," was Lewis's easy greeting.

Been up ahead?
"Yes," lied the turnback.
Anstey heard, though he did not pay much heed to the statement at the time.
There were many, of course, who asked for Dick.

Greg had not seen his chum for some time.

In his own heart Holmes felt sure that Dick, tired of being congratulated, had sought retirement---in the baggage car, probably.