"I've told you you'd know that when you got on the train--or before you had gone very far." "And do you think that's information enough?" "It will be information enough for you when I say that a great deal may depend on your doing as I ask." I raised a new objection. "How can I go when I've my work to attend to here?" "You must be ready to give that up. If any one makes any trouble, you must say you've resigned the position." As far as was possible over the wire I got the impression of earnestness on his part and perhaps excitement; but I was not yet satisfied. "What shall I do when I get to Boston? Where shall I go?" "You'll see. You'll know. You'll have to act for yourself. Trust your own judgment as I trust it." "But, Mr. Strangways, I don't understand a bit," I was beginning to protest, when he broke in on me. "Oh, don't you see? It will all explain itself as you go on. I can't tell you about it in advance. I don't know. All I can say is that whatever happens you'll be needed, and if you're needed you'll be able to play the game." He went on with further directions. It would be possible to take my seat in the train at twenty minutes before the hour of departure. I was to be early on the spot so as to be among the first to be in my place. I was to take nothing but a suit-case; but I was to put into it enough to last me for a week, or even for a week or two. I was to be prepared for roughing it, if necessary, or for anything else that developed. He would send me my ticket within an hour and provide me with plenty of money. "But what is it?" I implored again. "It sounds like spying, or the secret service, or something melodramatic." "It's none of those things. Just be ready. Wait where you are till you get your ticket and the money." "Will you bring them yourself?" "No. I can't; I'm too busy. I'm calling from a pay-station. Don't ring me up for any more questions. Just do as I've asked you, and I know you'll not regret it--not as long as you live." He put up the receiver, leaving me bewildered. My ignorance was such that speculation was shut out. I kept saying to myself: "It must be this," or, "It must be that," but with no conviction in my guesses. One dreadful suspicion came to me, but I firmly put it away. A little after twelve a special messenger arrived, bringing my ticket and five hundred dollars in bank-notes. I knew then that I was in for a genuine adventure. At one I put on my hat and coat, locked the door behind me, and went off to my hotel. Mentally I was leaving a work to which, from certain points of view, I was sorry to say good-by, but I could afford no backward looks.