They heard the driver say:

"Collect de charges. Dat box goes via Buffalo, don't it?"

"Yes," replied the freight agent.

"Well, yer'd better handle it wid care, as I tink it's got artificial
flowers in it, an' yer might smash de stuffins out o' dem."

"Mighty heavy artificial flowers," growled the agent.

Then the truck drove away.

The detectives laid in the freight building for some time, and the interior
of the box became hot and stifling.

Fortunately the box stood as they were lying on their sides.

About noontime their troubles began again, for the freight handlers got
hold of the box to send it over the river to Jersey with other freight. The
detectives were tumbled and slammed about roughly, at one moment resting on
their heads, at another on their faces, then they were picked up by a
hand-truck and banged upon their backs on the boat. For a while they had a
rest.

No one heard the groans of pain they uttered as they were bumped, bruised
and cut, and they were carried over the river.

Here the rough handling began again until they were laden on a freight car