Page 62 (2/2)
"For the ht the place The stove was salvaged from a trash pile, and Annie rescued the safe froh, was this"
Magee lifted a leather dust cover revealing a chessboard The hand-carved ebony and birch pieces were cracked and worn by the years "Hiraave it to me The bullet hole from Massey's pistol was never patched"
Pitt studied the board for a few moments in silence Then he looked out the s at the blackness
"You can almost sense their presence," he said finally
"I often sit alone here in the office and try to visualize that fateful night
"Do you see the Manhattan Limited as it roars past?"
"Soination flows freely" He stopped and stared at Pitt suspiciously "A strange question Why do you ask?"
"The phantom train," answered Pitt "They say it still makes its spectral run over the old track bed"
"The Hudson valley is a breeding ground for ee scoffed "There are those who even claim to have seen the headless horseman, for God's sake What starts as a tall tale becomes a rumor
Eerated by local folklore, the rue of reality The phantoe failure Like a ghost of a guillotinedfor his head, the Manhattan Lireat depot in the sky until it finally crosses over the river"
Pitt laughed "Mr Magee, you are a card-carrying skeptic"
"I won't deny it"
Pitt looked at his watch "I really must be on my way"
Magee showed him outside and they shook hands on the old station platform
"I've had a fascinating evening," said Pitt "I'rateful to you and your wife for your hospitality"