The latter nodded and started on a run for the office, in order to get into touch at once with the dispatchers' office. Neither official understood, as yet, how the accident had happened; but there would be time enough to inquire into that. The first and most important thing was to get the track clear so that the special could proceed on its way and the regular schedule be resumed. As Mr. Schofield sprinted toward the office, he glanced at the train-signal and noted that it was set at danger. He must find out why their engineer had disregarded that warning, for he knew that the brakes had not been applied until the train was past the signal. Bill Roth was one of the oldest and most trusted engineers on the road, else he would not have been in charge of the special, but the best record on earth could not excuse such carelessness as that. So Mr. Schofield reflected as he sprang up the steps that led to the door of the shanty. There he paused an instant, for at the table within stood Allan West, ticking off to headquarters a message telling of the accident, and asking for orders. Not until he came quite near could the trainmaster see now drawn and gray the boy's face was. He waited until the message was finished and the key clicked shut. Then he stepped forward and laid his hand gently on the boy's arm. "All right, Allan," he said. "No harm done, though it was a mighty close shave. You sit down there and pull yourself together, while I get this thing straightened out." In a moment he had headquarters. "Eng. 315 running extra delayed at Byers Junction ten minutes. Will leave Junction 7.18. A M S." "O. K.," flashed the answer from the dispatcher, who at once proceeded to modify his other orders in accordance with this delay. As the trainmaster snapped the key shut, the superintendent appeared at the door. "All ready," he said. "The track's open," said Mr. Schofield. "I've notified Greggs," and the two men ran down the steps and started toward the train. "Did you notice the signal?" he added. "Yes," answered the superintendent, "and I asked Roth about it. He and his fireman both swear that it showed clear when they looked at it a moment before they reached it. Roth merely glanced at it and then looked back at the track. But the fireman says that it seemed to him it was swinging up just as they rushed past it. Then they hit the torpedo." "And where did _it_ come from?" "Lord only knows. There's something mysterious about this affair, Schofield." "I know there is," and the trainmaster's face hardened. "I'm going to stay right here till I get to the bottom of it." Mr. Heywood nodded. "Yes--I think that's best. Who's the night operator here now?" "Allan West," answered the other, speaking with evident difficulty. The superintendent stopped for an instant, then went on whistling softly. "Too bad," he said, at last. "Have you asked him anything about it?"