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ll take real fine care of you, Mr Isaac”

“You always do”

“Need help with your bag?”

“No, I’m fine Thanks”

“Just so you know, the inlet scoop acted up on the run here last night, but the conductor and engineer say it’s all fixed up now”

“That’s a relief”

Unlike the trains Bell had taken across the country, the 20th Century Limited didn’t need to stop in every jerkwater town—so na fro cisterns—to satisfy the locomotive’s unquenchable thirst This train was outfitted with a special siphon that could be lowered from the locomotive tender The Liths of track that were flooded ater in anticipation of their passing The siphon would scoop water straight into the tender, and, once the tender was full, the train would speed up again This ingenious systereatest cities had the highest average speed of any long-distance run in the nation

“Anyone on board tonight?” Bell asked, nificance

“No, Mr Isaac No need for you to be snooping about ht”

Bell laughed “I’e in my cabin and head to the observation car for a drink”

“Do you want me to make up your room now?”

“Why don’t you I’ve been traveling nonstop for three weeks and I am exhausted”

“Well, you’ll be with Mrs Bell soon enough She’ll cure what ails ya”

Bell chuckled Truer words were never spoken

Eighteen hours after pulling out of the LaSalle Street Station, the Limited rumbled into Grand Central Bell had co ht on details, which was his usual style Van Dorn trusted Bell’s judg relationship He had also ed to sleep well and felt better than he had in days He’d repacked his case and was standing in the vestibule when the train shuddered to a stop He tipped his hat to Toers, and began striding the length of the platfor force within him, when he was so close to ho