Chapter V.

When Jeff Hasty reached his destination, the whole of his confidence had leaked out, and a creepy despairing feeling had leaked in. Staring him in the face was the miserly fact that his one chance of success hinged on the possibility of a slow train having developed “engine trouble.”

As he dawdled along he heard his name shouted from the rear, and, turning round, he found himself staring into the grinning face of Bill Buddle.

“Good heavens!” gasped Jeff, pulling up; “how did you get here, by air?”

“Oh, no,” chuckled Bill, “I came down on the slow train this morning.”

Moral: Travel by train. Fast starts make slow finishes.