I understand that you have ordered a special train to Harwich." Mr.John P.Dunster said nothing, only his keen, clear eyes seemed all the time to be questioning this gloomy-looking but apparently harmless young man.
"I went to the station-master's office," the latter continued, "and tried to persuade them to let me ride in the guard's van of your special, but he made a stupid fuss about it, so I thought I'd better come to you.

Can I beg a seat in your compartment, or anywhere in the train, as far as Harwich ?" Mr.Dunster avoided, for the moment, a direct reply.

He had the air of a man who, whether reasonably or unreasonably, disliked the request which had been made to him.
"You are particularly anxious to cross to-night ?" he asked.
"I am," the youth admitted emphatically.

"I never ought to have risked missing the train.

I am due at The Hague to-morrow." Mr.John P.Dunster moved his position a little.