"I'll bat you over the head if you try it," growled the voice; and the
boy stood trembling while the hasp was unfastened and the door was
pushed back a little. The light of a lantern flashed in through the
crack, blinding him.

"Now hand out the money," said the stranger, standing at one side for
safety.

"Yes," said Samuel, fumbling with the pin in his waistcoat. "But I
can't see to count it."

"Be quick! I'll count it!"

And so he shoved out the wad. Fingers seized it; and then the light
vanished, and he heard the sound of footsteps running.

For a moment he did not understand. Then, "Give me my five dollars!"
he yelled, and rolled back the door and leaped out. He was just in
time to see the figure with the lantern vanish among the cars up the
track.

He started to run up the track and tripped over a tie and fell
headlong into a ditch. When he scrambled to his feet again the long
train was beginning to move, and the light of the lantern was nowhere
to be seen.




CHAPTER IV