The Tale of the Lost Railway (Part – Sixteen)

Giles Forsythe swung the gates open then stepped out into the sunlight giving a signal to the driver of the diesel to move slowly forward.

Giles was somewhat taken by surprise to see someone who appeared to be rather frightened standing on the bank to the side of the track.

"Who the devil are you?" Asked Giles.

Before Colin Penn could reply the man with the gun walked forward, dog at his heel, shouting "Caught 'im red 'anded. I bin followin' 'im from Baskerville bridge. I knew there be poachers round 'ere lately now I got one of '  can clearly see two birds down by 'is feet".

Colin looks nervously towards the tunnel as the little diesel, still out of sight, gives two short hoots on the horn. The German Shepherd has dropped a brace of pheasants at Colin's feet

The train, by now, out of the tunnel, came to a halt. Archie, who had been leaning out of the window, climbed down. He approached the rather shaken  man, "Colin......it is Colin isn't it?" What on earth are you doing here old chap?".

With that Archie suddenly remembered Colin's questions about the Dartmoor line when they last met on the sea wall. Colin must have come up here to have a snoop around.

Colin replied, "Archie....I'm sorry, I'm just being a bit  nosey. I'm no poacher, in fact I don't know a pheasant from a chicken. That dog simply dropped those pheasants at my feet".

The man with the gun, who Archie and Giles realised was the estate gamekeeper, was by now standing next to all three men, "See them birds at 'is feet? I knew 'e were up to summat."

Archie butted in "He is up to something but it isn't poaching. If he was he'd have a gun and most likely a poacher's bag. No this is my good friend Colin Penn, he's just having a look around at my invitation. Climb aboard Colin and enjoy the rest of our journey with us".

Archie, of course, hadn't invited Colin but the gamekeeper wasn't to know that.

Archie whispered to Giles, "I knew that gamekeeper was up to something. I've had the stable lad, Tom,  do a bit of snooping  around. It seems that man has been selling our pheasants at the local market but claiming it was poachers. I think we've caught him out. I want him sacked first thing in the morning unless he's got a darned good excuse.

Giles sent the gamekeeper on his way with instructions to be in his office for 7-30 next morning.

The train, now with an extra passenger, continued on its way.

"So, Colin, what's this all about? I think you told me a few days ago that you had a holiday up this way as a young lad and that your uncle had told you stories about a lost railway".

"Exactly right", Colin replied, "I thought I'd come and have a look for myself. I am so sorry if I have trespassed and sorry if I've caused any trouble or bother".

"Not at all, not at all", replied Archie as he introduced Colin to everyone on board, "Now, we are just coming up to the outskirts of Baskerville which is as far as we can go at the moment but you will, of course, join us for luncheon. I think cook has rustled us up a pretty good spread".

Over lunch Archie explained to everyone all about his idea to open the entire section of railway between Moretonhampstead and Okehampton.

Archie continued, "Colin, you will join us for a dinner this evening. I'll not take no for an answer. I believe that Gerry and John will be, hopefully, giving me the nod to continue with my plans for the railway but I'm not counting my chickens just yet. Oh and you'll be very welcome to stay  the night Giles will arrange a room for you".

Colin didn't really know what to say so utrered  a rather nervous thank  you. In truth he was mightily relieved to have escaped whatever punishment the gamekeeper might have had in store.

Soon after two thirty, the little diesel was on its way again. This time reversing the Pullman back towards Moretonhampstead where the motor coach was waiting to take the passengers back to The Manor House, first travelling into Baskerville so that Colin could collect his things from the guest house.

Everyone was looking forward with great anticipation and excitement to  the evening ahead of them.

To be continued.......

Met him once in a bird watching hide on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour a couple of weeks after one of the TV Nature watch programmes; we spent most of the time watching the nesting terns on small islands on the lagoon (it's what we were there for!)

Met him a few times. Found him to be quite the popinjay.

Goodie Goodie gone gone...

And lest we forget

Oh bloody hell. RIP Bill.

Yep

Only one seat needed on the trandem now 

Another Goodie gone. He was a good lad, hecky thump!

Similarly I knew it was coming, heard the wife's phone and thought mine hadn't worked, till I remembered I had left it in the car.   
It worked.
Was timed to go off at 2pm AEST, which meant the people in WA heard it at midday, and SA/NT at 1:30pm.

Quote from: Bealman on Today at 08:35:24 AMEvery mobile phone in Australia beeped loudly at 2pm this afternoon. Well, not everywhere, exactly - places like SA and WA had to be different, didn't they -  (different time zones).

I knew it was coming but it still scared the crap out of me!

Presumably the 'time for a VB' warning