Chapter 22: In the Signal Tower

It seemed an eternity to Dan, speeding hatless, coatless, breathless through the storm, before he spied the red lights on the lowered gates at the crossing. Dashing to the signal tower, he took the steps two at a time. The small room was almost dark, but he could see Nance kneeling on the floor beside the big gatekeeper.

“Dan! Is it you?” she cried. “He ain’t dead yet. I can feel him breathing. If the doctor would only come!”

“Who’d you call?”

“The first one in the book, Dr. Adair.”

“But he’s the big doctor up at the hospital; he won’t come.”

“He will too! I told him he had to. And the gates, I got ‘em down. Don’t stop to feel his heart, Dan. Call the doctor again!”

“The first thing to do is to get a light,” said Dan. “Ain’t there a lantern or something?”

“Strike matches, like I did. They are on the window-sill—only hurry—Dan, hurry!”

Dan went about his task in his own way, taking time to find an oil lamp on the shelf behind the door and deliberately lighting it before he took his seat at the telephone. As he waited for the connection, his puzzled, troubled eyes dwelt not on Uncle Jed, but on the crimson boots and fantastic cap of Uncle Jed’s companion.

“Dr. Adair is on the way,” he said quietly, when he hung up the receiver, “and a man is coming from the yards to look after the gates. Is he still breathing?”

“Only when I make him!” said Nance, pressing the lungs of the injured man. “There, Uncle Jed,” she coaxed, “take another deep breath, just one time. Go on! Do it for Nance. One time more! That’s right! Once more!”

But Uncle Jed was evidently very tired of trying to accommodate. The gasps came at irregular intervals.

“How long have you been doing this?” asked Dan, kneeling beside her.

“I don’t know. Ever since I came.”

“How did you happen to come?”

“I saw the lightning strike the bell. Oh, Dan! It was awful, the noise and the flash! Seemed like I ‘d never get up the steps. And at first I thought he was dead and—”

“But who was with you? Where were you going?” interrupted Dan in bewilderment.

“I was passing—I was going home—I—” Her excited voice broke in a sob, and she impatiently jerked the sleeve of her rain-coat across her eyes.

In a moment Dan was all tenderness. For the first time he put his arm around her and awkwardly patted her shoulder.

“There,” he said reassuringly, “don’t try to tell me now. See! He’s breathing more regular! I expect the doctor’ll pull him through.”