Thomas and Percy were very tired after another hard day's work on the Fat Controller's railway the following day. In his berth at Tidmouth Sheds, Percy yawned loudly.
Thomas was spun round on the turntable to access his own- but when he was reversing in his berth he heard a voice call.
"Hello Thomas! Hello Percy!"
"James? Where have you been?" Percy questioned, clearly surprised to see his friend back- so much, in fact, that his fatigue quickly deserted him and was replaced by a burst of energy.
"I was on my coal run, obviously- though it hasn't been the same since you quit after you became Jack Frost following that night in the snow." James said sadly.
Toby Gordon Henry and Duck arrived home not too long afterwards and welcomed James back to Tidmouth. "You missed out last night James!" Henry said gleefully.
"What did I miss?" James asked curiously, wondering what so intriguing that he had missed out on the previous evening.
"Well, you missed out on the first part of a story Thomas began telling us last night," Said Duck. "It's a grand story- I think you'll enjoy it."
"Right," said the little blue tank engine. "We'll fill you in, James, and then I'll continue my tale of Duke the Lost Engine."
James thought that that story sounded like an excellent tale to hear after taking his coal run. "Alright, Thomas- fire away! I'm all ears!" He announced grandly, backing into a berth next to Gordon and Henry.
Thomas grinned. He recounted everything that had happened so far- both for James' knowledge, and to refresh the memories of the others, before continuing.
"So, as I left off last night, Duke was in his shed, buried deep under a huge mound of earth..."