In typewriting beneath all this were the words: "Pass on all trains, Marvin Clark," and below that a date and the name in writing of Mr. Robert Grant, the President of the Great Northern, unmistakably genuine. There were few employees on the road who were not familiar with that signature. "All right," said Ralph, refolding the sheet, re-inclosing it in the envelope, and handing it back to the stranger. "I guess that passes you anywhere on the line." "You see, I've got a sort of roaming commission," explained young Clark buoyantly, as he got comfortably seated on the fireman's cushion. "No particular use at school, and father wants me to learn railroading. The first step was to run down all the lines and pick up all the information I could. I've just got to put in two months at that, and then report to family headquarters my store of practical knowledge. See here." Marvin Clark drew a blank from his pocket. Some thirty of its pages he showed to Ralph were filled with memoranda. Thus: "Aug. 22, cattle freight, Upton to Dover. O. K. Simpson, Conductor." There followed like items, all signed, forming a link of evidence that the boy had been a passenger on all kinds of rolling stock, had visited railroad shops, switch towers, water stations, in fact had inspected about every active department of several railroad lines that connected with the Middletown & Western Railroad. "That is a pretty pleasant layout, I should say," remarked Ralph. "Oh, so, so," replied Clark indifferently. "Athletics is my stronghold. If I ever get money enough--I mean if I had my own way--I'd train for expert on everything from golf to football." "I'm pretty strong in that direction myself," said Ralph, "but a fellow has to hustle for something to eat." "I know what that means," declared Clark. "Had to help the family by peddling papers--." Clark paused and flushed. Ralph wondered at the singular break his visitor had made. A diversion covered the embarassment of the young stranger and caused Ralph to momentarily forget the incident. Fogg had swung back the water spout, set the tender cover, and climbed down into the cab. Then he took the side light signals and went around to the pilot. No. 999 carried two flags there, now to be replaced by lanterns. Fogg came back to the cab rolling up the flags. "All right," he announced ungraciously, and hustled Clark to one side without ceremony as the latter abandoned his seat. Ralph gave the starting signal and Clark edged back in the tender out of the way. The young engineer took a good look at his fireman. The latter was muddled, it was plain to see that, but he went about his duties with a mechanical routine born from long experience. Only once did he lurch towards Ralph and speak to him, or rather hiss out the words. "You'll settle with me for your impudence yet, young fellow. You're a high and mighty, you are, breaking the rules giving your friends a free ride."