"We've missed the four-thirty-five, so we will have to return the
way we came," said Cortlandt. "I'd like to stop at Gatun on a
business matter of some importance, and if you don't mind a half-
hour's delay, we'll do so."

Kirk expressed entire acquiescence in any plans that suited the
convenience of his rescuers, and the three pursued their way to
the station. But here an unexpected embarrassment arose. As they
made ready to board Colonel Jolson's motor-car, they were annoyed
to find that Allan insisted on going, too. He insisted, moreover,
in such extravagant fashion that Mrs. Cortlandt at last was moved
to say: "For Heaven's sake, let the poor thing come along." And
thereafter the Jamaican boy sat on the step of the machine, his
hat in hand, his eyes rolled worshipfully upon the person of his
hero, his shining face ever ready to break into a grin at a glance
from Kirk.

Once more the little automobile took on the dignity of a regular
train and sped out of the network of tracks behind Colon. As it
gained speed Mrs. Cortlandt, to divert her guest's mind from his
recent ordeal, began to explain the points of interest as they
passed. She showed him the old French workings where a nation's
hopes lay buried, the mechanical ruins that had cost a king's
ransom, the Mount Hope Cemetery, whither daily trains had borne
the sacrifice before science had robbed the fever of its terrors.
She told him, also, something of the railroad's history, how it
had been built to bridge the gap in the route to the Golden West,
the manifold difficulties overcome in its construction, and the
stupendous profits it had made. Having the blood of a railroad-
builder in his veins, Anthony could not but feel the interest of