In the meantime, Phil Forrest, the young advance agent, sat
calmly in his stateroom, now and then receiving a report from
Teddy Tucker who sauntered in under cover of a string of freight
cars on the opposite side, then slipped out again.

Teddy was Phil's blockade runner this day.

At noon the party on the rival car all adjourned for luncheon,
and there they were joined by their manager, who discussed the
queer situation with them. This was the time for Phil Forrest.

"Now for the surprise," he said, hurriedly going uptown, where he
got his own lithographers together, and the crew that he had
hired in town. Every man had been pledged to silence, as had the
livery stable man and his helpers.

"Now, shoot the stuff out! Get every window full before those
fellows are through their dinner. A five-dollar bill for the man
who covers his route first. The banner locations we cannot fill
so quickly, but they are all secured, so our friend can't take
them away from us. Now get busy!"

They did. The men of Car Three forgot that they were hungry.
Never before had the lithographers and banner men worked as they
did that day. With the extra help that Phil had put on he was
able to cover the ground with wonderful quickness.

When the men of the rival crew emerged from the contract hotel,
and sat down in front to digest the contract meal, they suddenly
opened their eyes in amazement.