The Passenger From Scotland Yard (Esprios Classics)

The night mail for the Continent stood ready to glide out of the London terminus the leave-taking friends assembled in small groups upon the platform before the carriage doors were reiterating last messages and once more exchanging promises to 'write ' when a hard-featured thick-set gentleman who had been peering out of a second-class window drew back with a slight exclamation of annoyance or disappointment and sank into a corner seat. Hardly a moment had passed when the rattle of the guard's key was again heard in the lock and the door fell open to admit a fifth passenger. 'Just in time sir! ' muttered the guard banging the door after the new arrival and relocking it. He immediately signalled with his lamp a whistle rang out sharply and the night mail for the Continent started from London.