CHAPTER I--BARBOX
BROTHERS
I
"Guard! What place is this?"
"Mugby Junction, sir."
"A windy place!"
"Yes, it mostly is, sir."
"And looks comfortless indeed!"
"Yes, it generally does, sir."
"Is it a rainy night still?"
"Pours, sir."
"Open the door. I\'ll get out."
"You\'ll have, sir," said the guard, glistening with drops of wet, and
looking at the tearful face of his watch by the light of his lantern as the
traveller descended, "three minutes here."
"More, I think.--For I am not going on."
"Thought you had a through ticket, sir?"
"So I have, but I shall sacrifice the rest of it. I want my luggage."
"Please to come to the van and point it out, sir. Be good enough to
look very sharp, sir. Not a moment to spare."
The guard hurried to the luggage van, and the traveller hurried after
him. The guard got into it, and the traveller looked into it.
"Those two large black portmanteaus in the corner where your light
shines. Those are mine."
"Name upon \'em, sir?"
"Barbox Brothers."
"Stand clear, sir, if you please. One. Two. Right!"