Ralph read the enigma promptly. Mischievous boys at play beyond the north end of the tunnel had been responsible for the sensational descent of the hand car. He groped about it now and discovered a tiny form clinging to the boxed-up gearing in the centre of the car. "You stay right still where you are," ordered Ralph, as he located the handles of the car and began pumping for speed. "Oh, yes, sir, I will." "It's probably too late to think of heading off or overtaking those fellows," decided Ralph, "but I've got to get this hand car out of harm's way." It was no easy work, single handed working the car up the slant, but Ralph made it finally. He found a watchman dozing in the little shanty near the entrance to the tunnel. The man was oblivious to the fact of the hand car episode, and of course the same as to the two men who had doubtless long since escaped from the tunnel and were now safe from pursuit. Ralph did not waste any time questioning him. As he was ditching the hand car the ragged urchin who had made a slide for life into the tunnel took to his heels and scampered away. The young railroader thought next of the paymaster. Ralph made a sharp run of it on foot through the tunnel. He did not find Mr. Little where he had left him, but came across him sitting on a bench at the first flagman's crossing, evidently patiently waiting for his return. "Well, what luck," challenged Mr. Little. "None at all," reported Ralph, and recited the events of the past fifteen or twenty minutes. "That's pretty lively going," commented Mr. Little, looking Ralph over with an approving and interested glance. "I managed to limp this far. I've wrenched my foot. I don't think it amounts to much, but it is quite painful. I'll rest here a bit and see if it doesn't mend." "Shall I help you to the house, Mr. Little?" suggested Ralph. "Maybe--a little later. I want to know about this business first--the smashed window and those burglars. Come, sit down here on the bench with me and tell me all about it, Fairbanks." "They are not burglars," asserted Ralph. "What are they, then?" "What I hurriedly hinted to you some time back--spies." "Spies?" "Yes." "What do you mean by that?" "I had better tell you the whole story, Mr. Little." "That's it, Fairbanks." Ralph began with the queer-acting trio who had first attracted his suspicions several days previous. He did not leave out the details of his interview with the assistant superintendent at Rockton. "Why, Fairbanks," exclaimed the paymaster, arising to his feet in positive excitement, "this is a pretty serious business." "It strikes me that way, sir." "If these two men were not incidental burglars, and nothing is missing at the house, they were after information." "Instead of booty, exactly," responded Ralph, in a tone of conviction.