A whistle down the line told him that the extra west, for which he had an order, was approaching. He went to the door and assured himself that the signal was properly set, then, as the train pounded up, called up the dispatchers' office and reported its arrival. A moment later, a heavy step sounded on the platform and Bill Higgins entered. Allan handed him the order silently, and stood waiting for him to read it, wondering if there would be another quarrel like that of the night before. But Higgins read the order aloud, without protest, then folded it up, put it in his pocket, and turned to go. Allan sat down again at his key; but after a moment he realized that Higgins was still standing beside his chair. He glanced up in surprise, and saw that the big conductor was fiddling nervously with his lantern. "Fact is," he burst out, catching Allan's eye, "I made a fool o' myself last night. I want you to fergit it, m' boy." "I will," said Allan, heartily, and held out his hand. Bill grasped it in his mammoth palm and gave it a mighty squeeze. "'Tain't fer my own sake," he added, and his voice was a little husky. "I know," said Allan, quickly. "It's all right. I've forgotten it." "Thank'ee," said Bill, awkwardly, and turned away. Allan watched his burly figure until it disappeared through the door. He was glad that he had taken the engineer's advice and not reported him. After all, the man was good, at heart; and besides, there were the wife and children. He waited until he heard the train puff away, reported its departure, and then picked up the book of rules again. He ran over the definitions--definition of "train," "section," "extra," and so on, which there is no need to repeat here--with which, indeed, the readers of this series ought already to be familiar. Following the definitions came the train-rules, with instructions as to the time-card, and the signal rules. The latter are especially interesting, for every one who has travelled on a railway has noticed the signals made by hand, flag, or lantern, and has no doubt wondered what they meant. A hand, flag, or lantern swung across the track means stop; raised and lowered vertically, proceed; swung vertically in a circle across the track, when the train is standing, back; and there are other signals to indicate when the train has broken in two, and to order the release or application of the air-brakes. Rule No. 13 is that "any object waved violently by any one on or near the track is a signal to stop," and a stop signal must always be obeyed, no matter at what cost--to run by such a signal means instant dismissal.