back to the tower. I'm bound for the limits tower, to keep things straight there."
"Why, what's up, Mr. Knight?" inquired Ralph.
"Mile-a-minute special from the north, due at 1.15. You've got fifteen minutes. The out tracks are set for the 1.05 express all right. Soon as she passes, set the out main after her so the special will take the in tracks to the limits. No. 6 will wait at the limits while we shoot the special to the out again."
"A special?" repeated Ralph, in some bewilderment, "and from the north"
"Obey orders," interrupted Knight crisply. "Nothing to move except the express till the special passes. Understand? Don't lose any time. Get that slip to the depot master, and hurry back to the tower."
"All right," spoke Ralph promptly.
He started on a run for the depot, as Knight sprang to the handcar and it was whirled down the rails.
Ralph had a right to be mystified. There was no special in place on the depot tracks. The Great Northern had its terminus at Stanley Junction.
There was a single track running north from the depot, but it was not in use. It had been
