operated long ago in Florida. He smiled. Things were falling in place nicely.

Soon, a trickle of passengers carrying suitcases began arriving on the platform.

"This is your first call for train number one, the Texas Star, bound for Wynchester, McAlester, Muskogee, Parsons and Kansas City. All aboard please," sounded an announcement over the loudspeakers mounted on the train shed.

Waller walked back to the end of the train. Steam wafted up from the rear brake hose. Mounted on the rear of the lounge car was an illuminated star with the letters, "Texas Star," in the center. The announcement was made twice more. Then there was a final boarding call.

Waller looked at his watch. It was seven-twenty five. The conductor stood on the platform beside the open door of the leadHe headed west and saw no one as he headed toward Union Station. He felt razor sharp and alert. It was time. He walked up to the tracks. Slumbering in the warm night on track one was the silver and red Texas Star.

### Chapter Seventeen

### Night Train to Hell

The train's consist was the same as it had been on the past Saturday. Waller walked to the lead locomotive. He climbed up the ladder, opened the door and sat down in the engineer's seat. Before climbing up into the locomotive, Waller checked at the number board on the front of the locomotive. It was the same unit that he had seen when he watched the loading and departure of the train a few days ago.

He started the locomotives and