For fully two minutes afterwards, however, Ralph could catch the diminishing clatter of the fast revolving wheels. The others stood listening, too.
It was fairly dusk now. As the quartette approached the remaining cars, Ralph noticed that Mort Bemis was chuckling. Ike Slump's face wore an expression of intense satisfaction. They all halted as they reached the stationary freights.
"Here," spoke Ike, "we don't need those any longer."
He seized the crowbars in turn lying on the roadbed. He gave them a swing, sending them in among the long grass at the side of the embankment.
"Done quite neatly," spoke Bemis. "Now then, fellows—back the way we came. Horse and wagon all ready?"
"Yes," assented one of the tramps.
"Make it lively, then. We can get around to the switch off where that car has come to a stop, in about an hour."
"Then for the safe, and a fortune apiece!" cried Ike excitedly. "Say, Mort, the five hundred we lost on the races looks a fleabite to what we'll divide up in the next two hours!"
"I don't see why you didn't drive right up here
