Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5 LATER THAT NIGHT AROUND 8:30 P.M. "Come on," Frederick said to Janie. "We're going to the observation car." "No, thank you," Janie said politely. "You don't need to worry about me."

What she needed to do was lie low, try to disappear until the train arrived in Seattle. But Frederick and Mr. McBride weren't going to let her out of their sight. "You're with us, my dear!" Mr. McBride said. Janie's heart sank—what choice did she have? She was supposed to be a girl with good manners. Mr. McBride had paid for her to ride first class. It would be rude to refuse the invitation. The observation car was just behind their sleeper car. There were big chairs along the windows and tables where some men were playing cards. They found some seats and Mr. McBride quickly made friends with two other passengers. One was Mr. Riggins, a bald-headed man with a booming voice and a walrus mustache. The other was the young lady with the notebook that Janie had seen when she first got onto the train. Her name was Libby Wade. She was from Minneapolis, and it turned out she was a writer.

"If I may ask," Mr. McBride said. "What are you writing about?" "This train trip," answered Miss Wade. "A journey west on the Great Northern Railway." She explained that she'd already traveled more than a thousand miles, through Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho. This stretch—three hundred and fifty miles across Washington State—was the last part of the trip.

"Wonderful," Mr. McBride said, with the same proud look he'd had when he admired the big locomotive. "Of all the railroads, the Great Northern is my favorite. Everything is tip-top." "Always on time, and the cars are spotless," Mr. Riggins agreed. "Never any surprises." Miss Wade nodded, but her smile wavered. "That's the problem. Nothing exciting has happened on this trip." If only she knew, Janie thought. "I'm afraid this article is shaping up to be a dud," Miss Wade added. "But what about meeting us?" Frederick asked with a big, joking grin. Everyone chuckled, and Janie fake-smiled along. "Well, of course," Miss Wade said. "That's the best part of being on a train—meeting interesting people." "I met my dear wife on a train," Mr. McBride said.

Janie pictured Frederick's mother—some rich lady dripping in jewels and silk, Janie was sure. She'd overheard Mr. McBride telling the others that he was a banker and that the family lived in Seattle. Probably in a huge palace. "But, Miss Wade, this trip isn't over yet!" Frederick said. "The young man is correct." Mr. Riggins nodded. "In fact, for us it's just beginning. Maybe something exciting is yet to come." Miss Wade sighed. "I'm afraid not," she said. "We'll go to sleep soon. And when we wake up, we'll practically be in Seattle." Thank goodness for that, Janie thought. "But wait!" Frederick exclaimed. "I know what you can write about." He leaned forward. "That jewel thief!" The blood drained from Janie's face. "What jewel thief?" Miss Wade asked. "A man was arrested in the train station, just before the train left," Mr. McBride explained.

"You must have already been on the train platform." "He robbed a jewelry store in Spokane!" Frederick went on. "He must have been trying to escape on the train. But the police caught him. They surrounded the guy, put handcuffs on him, and dragged him out." "It was something," Mr. Riggins said. "The fellow looked like a real lowlife." Janie's stomach twisted into such a tight knot she was afraid she'd puke. "How terrible," Miss Wade said. "It all happened so quickly," Mr. McBride added. "I've been thinking about that guy," Frederick said, his eyes narrowing. "I knew there was something suspicious about him even before the police showed up." "Why is that?" Miss Wade asked. Frederick shrugged.