"Yes, sir, Lemuel Fogg. We're on No. 999, Overland Express." "Yes, yes, I know," spoke Mr. Grant hurriedly. "Mr. Fogg!" The fireman approached promptly. "My friends," continued the official rapidly to both. "I have got to reach Shelby station by 10.15. I must catch the Night Express on the Midland Central at that point--without fail," added Mr. Grant with emphasis. "Yes, sir," nodded Fogg coolly. "One minute late means the loss of a great big fortune to the Great Northern. The minute on time means anything in reason you two may ask, if you make the run." "We are here to make the run, Mr. Grant, if you say so," observed Ralph. "Sure," supplemented Fogg, taking off his coat. "Is that the order, sir?" "I haven't the heart to order any man on a run a night like this," responded the official, "but if you mean it----" "Fairbanks," shot out the fireman, all fire and energy, "I'll get 999 ready for your orders," and he was out into the roundhouse after the foreman in a flash. "Mr. Grant, you're taking a long chance," suggested the division superintendent, coming up to where the president and Ralph stood. "Yes, and it must be any chances, Fairbanks," said the official. He was becoming more and more excited each succeeding minute. "I'm too old a railroader not to know what the run means. If you start, no flinching. It's life or death to the Mountain Division, what you do this night." "The Mountain Division?" repeated Ralph, mystified. "Yes. It's an official secret, but I trusted you once. I can trust you now." Mr. Grant drew a folded paper from his pocket. "The president of the Midland Central is on the Night Express, returning from the west. The document I show you must be signed before he reaches the city, before midnight, or we lose the right to run over the Mountain Division. If he once reaches the city, interests adverse to the Great Northern will influence him to repudiate the contract, which only awaits his signature to make it valid. He will sign it if I can intercept him. Can you make Shelby Junction, ninety miles away, in two hours and fifteen minutes?" "I will make Shelby Junction ahead of the Night Express," replied Ralph calmly, but with his heart beating like a triphammer, "or I'll go down with 999." CHAPTER XXVIII A RACE AGAINST TIME There was a thrill and fervor to the present situation that appealed to Ralph mightily. The brisk, animated procedure of the president of the Great Northern had been one of excitement and interest, and at its climax the young engineer found himself stirred up strongly. Mr. Grant smiled slightly at Ralph's valiant declaration. He drew the division superintendent aside in confidential discourse, and Ralph went to the bulletin board and began studying the routeing of the Shelby division. Then he hurried out into the roundhouse.