“That will teach you a lesson, Reuben!” he exclaimed. “Good-by! I never expect to see you again.” The train started off, and in a moment the first two cars had passed me. I was dazed, and hardly knew what to do. Fortunately the train was a long one, and by the time the last car was going by I had managed to scramble to my feet. I made a dash for the rear platform, and grabbed the iron rail with both hands. The speed of the train was greater than I had anticipated. The rush of wind took my breath from me, and try as hard as I could I found it impossible for me to raise myself from my highly perilous position. The speed of the cars increased every second, and it became more and more difficult for me to retain my hold. I shivered as I thought of what the consequence would be if I allowed myself to drop. No doubt I would be dashed to the track, and seriously injured, if not killed. My head soon began to whirl, and I felt that I could not hang on for any great length of time. While this thought rushed through my brain, the door of the car opened and the conductor came out. He saw at once what was up, and bending down, he grasped me under the shoulder, and lifted me up the steps and onto the platform. “What do you mean by trying to get on the train while we are running?” he demanded. For a moment I could not answer, and in that space of time he shoved me into the end of the car and followed. “There ought to be a law to arrest fellows like you,” he went on. “If you had been killed I would have been blamed for it!” “It――it was necessary that I get aboard,” I gasped. “How necessary? There is another train in half an hour.” “There is a man aboard this train I wanted to catch.” I went on. “I don’t want him to get away.” “Better let him go than lose your life,” returned the conductor grimly. “I didn’t think of that, sir. The man is a thief, and is trying to get away from the police.” “Indeed! Well, that alters the case a little, to be sure. Who is he?” “Mr. Norton.” “What is he wanted for?” “He is one of the men who stole the diamonds from the Bayport bank.” “Phew! you don’t say. You are sure?” “Oh, yes. I was on hand when he got away.” “You know the man?” “Yes, sir; quite well.” “And you say he is on this train?” “He got aboard the forward car just as we left Chester.” “We will have to have him arrested.” “I wish you would do so at the very next station, sir. I don’t want to go to Philadelphia.” “We will stop at Flanders, two miles farther on. Come and identify the fellow.” To this I agreed at once, and we started through the train. As we passed each seat I gave the different passengers a glance so as not to miss Mr. Norton on the way. As I did so, one fellow in the second car impressed me strangely. He was a man about the build of my guardian, but he wore a smoking-cap and a heavy beard. I looked at him twice as we passed, and I noticed him start as I did so.