"Decidedly mysterious, the whole affair," added the road detective. "That will all come out when we see the superintendent. We're both due at his office."
"And I was on my way to meet you," explained Adair.
They walked on together for a short distance. Suddenly Adair drew out a bulky pocket book well stuffed with papers. He selected a folded yellow sheet.
"Here's something that belongs to you," he said. "There's a good deal to go over, so get that off our minds. Glidden handed it to me this noon."
Ralph paused there. If he had been astonished at the discovery of the board message back at the little station, the present scrap of paper doubly mystified him.
It was the mere fragment of a telegram, no heading, no date, and it read:
"Advise Ralph Fairbanks, Stanley Junction. Look out for the pacer."
Ten minutes later Ralph and Bob Adair entered the office of the superintendent of the Great Northern. As they did so, a tall, well-dressed man left by another door. Adair nudged Ralph.
"The President of the road," he spoke in a low quick tone.
"Eyes and ears wide open. We're going to see some lively doings, if I don't mistake my cue."
Ralph felt the dignity and force of the occasion. It was a good deal for a mere youth to realize that he was being called into an important conference on a footing with old and experienced railroaders. The serious yet pleasant greeting of the superintendent told that the situation was a distinct compliment to the fine record and ability of the young railroader.
Ralph modestly took a chair to one side of the big table at which the superintendent and his assistant were seated. Adair produced that formidable memorandum book of his, stuffed with all kinds of secrets of the rail.
"We had better get down to business without any preamble," spoke the head official briskly. "Before we begin, however, I wish to commend you, Fairbanks, for your diligence in our behalf."
"Thank you, sir," said Ralph with a flush of pleasure.
"Yourself and Glidden handled the situation at the relay just as we would have wished it done. What is your report, Adair?"
The road detective consulted his notes in a matter-of-fact way, and began detailing his information as if he was reading off a freight schedule, but Ralph was immensely interested and so were his other auditors.