Can't you see it is for the main
line? Quick! What fools there are in the world!'
'What a confounded nuisance these stoppages are!' exclaimed Knight
impatiently, looking out from his compartment. 'What is it?'
'That singular carriage we saw has been unfastened from our train
by mistake, it seems,' said Stephen.
He was watching the process of attaching it. The van or carriage,
which he now recognized as having seen at Paddington before they
started, was rich and solemn rather than gloomy in aspect. It
seemed to be quite new, and of modern design, and its impressive
personality attracted the notice of others beside himself. He
beheld it gradually wheeled forward by two men on each side:
slower and more sadly it seemed to approach: then a slight
concussion, and they were connected with it, and off again.
Stephen sat all the afternoon pondering upon the reason of
Knight's unexpected reappearance. Was he going as far as Castle
Boterel? If so, he could only have one object in view--a visit to
Elfride. And what an idea it seemed!
At Plymouth Smith partook of a little refreshment, and then went
round to the side from which the train started for Camelton, the
new station near Castle Boterel and Endelstow.
Knight was already there.
Stephen walked up and stood beside him without speaking. Two men
at this moment crept out from among the wheels of the waiting
train.
'The carriage is light enough,' said one in a grim tone.
Pages:
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499