"
Hurrying in to the main part of the car Phil called to the men.
"Do any of you know what has become of the opposition?" he asked.
"Why, aren't they on behind?"
"No one is on behind. We are the last car. Those fellows have
stolen a march on us somewhere. I can't imagine where they
dropped off, though; can you?"
"Maybe they have switched off on another road," suggested
a voice.
"No other road they could switch off on. There is something
more to this than appears on the surface. I'll go forward and
ask the conductor."
Phil did so, but the conductor could give him no information.
Car Three was the only show car on the train when the present
conductor had taken charge.
Phil was more puzzled than ever. He consulted his route list, to
make sure that he himself had not made a mistake and skipped a
town that he should have billed. No; there was only one town he
had missed, and that was the one the brigade was to work.
About this time Teddy sat up, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
"What's up?" he inquired, noting that his companion was troubled.
"That is what I should like to know," answered Phil absently.
"Tell me about it. Anything gone wrong?"
"I don't know. The opposition has disappeared."
"Disappeared?"
"Yes; they disappeared during the night, and I cannot imagine
where they have gone.
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