Groups of railway officials were clustered together, talking eagerly; the bar-maids were all looking out of the refreshment-room door; policemen were stationed here and there; and outside the iron gates of the station a little crowd of people were waiting in the trodden yellow snow, peering through the bars.
We got out, and Charles went up to a respectable-looking man in black, evidently an official of some consequence, and asked what was the matter.

The man informed him that a special had been sent down the line with workmen to clear the rails, and that its return, with the passengers in the ill-fated express, was expected at any moment.
"You don't mean to say the wretched passengers have been there all night ?" exclaimed Charles.

From the man's account it appeared that the travellers had taken refuge in a farm near the scene of the accident, and, the snow-storm continuing very heavily, it had not been thought expedient to send a train down the line to bring them away till after daybreak.

"It has been gone an hour," he said, looking at the clock; "and it is hardly nine yet.

Considering how late we received notice of the accident--for the news had to travel by night, and on foot for a considerable distance--I don't think there has been much delay." "Will all the passengers come back by this train ?" asked Ralph.
"Yes sir." "We will wait," said Ralph; and he went and paced up and down the most deserted part of the platform.