Dartaway, and she was rather too small to make the trip by water, even
if the Panama Canal was finished."

"Oh, well, you know what I mean," retorted Bob, who did not exactly
know himself. "We can't go anywhere right away. School opens soon, and
it's buckle down and study all winter I suppose. But--"

Bob's remarks were interrupted by the arrival of the Boston Express,
which rumbled into the Cresville station, where the boys now were and,
after a momentary stop, steamed on again. A man leaped from the steps
of a parlor car and ran into the freight office, first, however,
looking up and down the length of the train to see if any other
passengers got off.

"He seems in a hurry," observed Ned.

"Yes, and he must have some pull with the railroad, for the Boston
Express never stops here," said Jerry. "Maybe he's the president of
the road."

The boys kept on to the freight office. When they reached it they
found the stranger in conversation with Mr. Hitter, the agent. The
chums could not help overhearing the talk.

"Have you several packages here, addressed to X. Y. Z., to he held
until called for?" the stranger asked.

"There they be," replied the agent, pointing to several small boxes,
piled near the door.