It was Sue Ling who finally said "I suppose mother and father have to know where I've been and what I've been doing."
"They already do!" The Speaker answered, staring at a man down a couple of tables.
The meal again fell into silence. Suddenly The Speaker remarked "Excuse me! I have to go make a phone call!" He headed back towards the sleeping cars. The man further down rose, quickly passed Samuel and Sue Ling. Samuel got up, snapping "Stay here!"
Sue Ling watched him depart nervously. Samuel caught up with the other two just in time to see the man following The Speaker withdraw a long, thin knife from beneath his pant's leg.
"Look out!" Samuel cried. The Speaker came around with incredible force, driving the man into the wall. One hand grabbed ahold of the knife, and the other pounded the man's face repeatedly. However the man fought back viciously.
Samuel knew he'd make little impression until he saw a fire extinguisher. He detached it from its brackets and when The Speaker swung the man around giving Samuel an opening he took him across the side of the head with it. It made a considerable DING but the man still struggled on. And Samuel whacked him again. This time he stopped struggling, turned slowly, looked at Samuel bewildered, then sank down the wall.
"Jesus!" Samuel cried, "He's got a hard head!"
"Dope!" The Speaker answered. "He's on joy jelly. You've probably fractured his skull! But their nervous system is so devastated by the stuff they feel virtually nothing."
The Speaker secured the man, then began to search beneath his clothes. A moment later he carefully peeled off a medication patch. A conductor came along. "I wouldn't touch that!" he commented. "Hold on. I'll get a plastic bag."
He returned a couple of minutes later with an appropriate container. "This man is a wanted felon," The Speaker explained, "I believe in several of the states we're passing through. His real name is Arthur Stevenson, but he's also known as John West."
The Speaker produced the man's wallet, "And, Arthur North! Which appears to be the identity he's using now! If you call the US Marshall's office I'm sure they'll be glad to pick him up."
The man began to stir. His eyes opened with a look of horror. He looked down at his body and began to scream. "Give it back! You had no right to take it! Give it back! It's my medicine! Give it back!"
The conductor hauled him up. "I think where you're going," he remarked, "they'll see you get all the medicine you need."
"Of all the damned luck!" the man cursed. "Why did you have to be on this train?"
"Because I work for a power," The Speaker answered, "greater than your dope twisted brain can imagine, and the ghosts of a caring man and woman pointed you out to me. Justice will be served!"
The man was dragged off. "Did he kill them?" Samuel asked.
"The parents," The Speaker answered, "he sold the children. But we got them back."
They went back to the dining car. The day went quickly. The prisoner was removed from the train. The same men that took him away brought somebody else, a very attractive woman which The Speaker immediately took in tow.
"Samuel," The Speaker announced, "move your things into my compartment. The ladies will have to double up." "Oh no!" the woman remarked, "You're not putting me in with the little one! I'm a grown woman, not a baby sitter. Let the kiddies stay together."
The Speaker stared at her for a moment, then nodded. They went up to the observation car. The Speaker stayed with them for a while then excused himself.
"Stay put!" he told the woman. When he was out of sight the woman looked at her companions.
"O.k.," she remarked, "who's first?"
"What?" Samuel asked.
"I'm sure you've got a story, honey," the woman remarked. "I'm Sarabelle, by the way. High and mighty didn't introduce us. Is he always so nice and warm?"
"I know women," Sue Ling answered, "that think he's the warmest thing going! Well, I suppose I can go first."
She began to tell her story, and Samuel was just as interested as their new companion.

Page 15