"John D. Fitzgerald - The Great Brain At the AcademyUC - 4" - читать интересную книгу автора (Fitzgerald John D)

Mr. Walters nodded. "When you put it that way," he
said, "I agree the railroad owes you a ride in the locomo-
tive. But you'll get your clothes all dirty."

Tom was so happy he wanted to do a little dance.
"I've got a rain slicker and rain hat in my suitcase I can
wear."

28

"Go get them," Mr. Walters said. "But come up to
the locomotive on the other side of the train. I don't want
the stationmaster to see you. I haven't time to explain to
him right now."

Sweyn was back in his seat when Tom entered the
coach. He stared bug-eyed as Tom opened the suitcase
and put on his rain slicker and hat.

"Have you gone plumb loco?" he asked. "It isn't rain-
ing. And even if it was you can't get wet in here."

"I'm going to ride in the locomotive and don't want
to get my clothes dirty," Tom said.

"In a pig's eye," Sweyn said.

"Just make sure you take my suitcase off the train
when we get to Salt Lake City," Tom said.

Poor Sweyn just sat there with his mouth open as he
watched Tom leave the coach.

Tom ran around to the other side of the train and up
to the locomotive. He could hear Mr. Walters talking to
the engineer.

"Got a passenger for you. Ed, from here to Salt Lake
City," the conductor said. "He is a boy about eleven or
twelve years old. He has a curious mind and will ask you a
lot of questions."

"I get it," Ed said. "He must be the son of some big
shot on the railroad."

"I haven't time to explain now," Mr. Walters said.
"Just make sure he gets off on the opposite side from the
depot so the stationmaster doesn't see him. You'll find him
waiting on the other side now."