Ten minutes had crept by, when a muffled noise in the dark corner distinctly sounded above the pelting raindrops, while as if to mock at my quickened fears, the wires continued their monotonous warning, “Watch the box—­watch the box—­watch the box.”  I did watch the box, and now as if by inspiration I grasped the situation.  There was indeed a man in the box, but not a dead one.  A living man who had boldly lent himself to a plot to rob or murder me, or perhaps both.

I remembered the straggler who had surprised me while at the safe, several hours before.  He had doubtless followed Col.  Holloway and witnessed the money transaction.  Quick and fast flew my thoughts in the startled endeavor to grasp some plan of action.  Single-handed I was no match for any man, having recently recovered from an attack of malarial fever.  This one in the box (if indeed there was one) must mean to secure the prize before the train was due, and escape the consequences.  He must have accomplices, and these were doubtless on watch, either to give or receive a signal.  At least it was not probable that he would undertake the job alone, and the fact that he had confederates had already appeared.

Perhaps the sight of my pistol had delayed the attack.  Perhaps some part of their plan had miscarried and caused delay.  At all events I must be cool.  I fancied I saw his eyes through the dark patch on the box.  I was almost sure he was slowly lifting the lid.  There was no help near, and much might be done in the time still to elapse before the train was due.

Quietly walking to the battery, I feigned to take a message.  In reality I sent one to the conductor of the on-coming express, as the only device whereby I could secure assistance, and this would doubtless come too late.  Yet it was all I could do just now.

With every sense on the alert I arose to secrete my key if possible, when the door burst open, and Frank Morris, my future brother-in-law, rushed in, followed by a huge dog that was Ellen’s special pet and attendant.

“Confound you!” said Frank, spluttering about and shaking himself as vigorously as the dog.  “I’ll be blowed if I ever go on such a fool’s errand as this.”

“Why you are pretty well ‘blowed’” I said, with a poor attempt to be funny, but immensely relieved.

“I never was so glad to see anybody in my life!” and I meant it.

“There it is,” he said; “make much of it” as he cleverly flipped a little white missive over to me.  “Such billing and cooing I never want to see again.  Regular spoons, by jove!  Can’t go to sleep till she knows you have not been melted, or washed away, or something.  And Cato must come along to see that her precious brother doesn’t get lost.  Ugh!  Lie down over there, old fellow!” Then to me he said; “Here help me out of this wet thing.”

But I was engrossed just then, so ridding him of the offending garment, the broad-shouldered young athlete strode about the room in mock impatience.