In stupefaction Ralph watched the brass index finger flit, whirl, and tremble. Then it circled round and round several times, vibrated at "blank," and rested there.
"Why!" gasped the stupefied Ralph, "am I crazy, or is someone else at the other end of the line?"
Voices below made Ralph start, listen, and watch. A grimed face came up through the trap. Ralph recognized the fireman of the through freight.
"Quick!" he spoke—"how bad?"
"Three empty freights kindling wood, front of the engine stove in," reported the fireman.
"No one hurt?"
"Not a soul."
"Thank Heaven!" murmured Ralph presently.
"I jumped, after the shutting down of the air brakes," went on the fireman. "So did Foster. But say, kid, why in the world didn't you give us the long siding?"
"Orders from limits for 7," explained Ralph. "It was a desperate chance. I took it, and gave you 6, for 7 was in use with a sleeper. Are you going to the depot? Please tell the dispatcher our 'phone is burned out, something wrong at limits, and to send to me for a report right away."
