Come with me." He led the way through the car to the platform and leaped down.

Then he pointed significantly to the rails below them.

His companion started.
The metal was scaling off in thin strips from the rails, and in some places its thickness had been reduced a quarter of an inch, while in others the projecting edges were torn off, or hanging in iron shreds, so that the wheels actually ran on the narrow central strip.

It seemed marvelous that the train could keep the track.
"NOW you know why we don't go more than five miles an hour, and--are thankful that we don't," said the young traveler quietly.
"But this is disgraceful!--criminal!" ejaculated the other nervously.
"Not at their rate of speed," returned the younger man.

"The crime would be in going faster.