I disembarked from the train quickly, hoping to see the mysterious Mr. Syntan as he left the station, but I wasn't fast enough and I didn't see him in the crowd of people that emerged shortly after myself. It suddenly occurred to me that I did not know what the person I was waiting for looked like, nor, I realised, had we even arranged a proper time to meet. I was trying to think of what to do, even contemplating the idea of re-entering the train and heading back to London, when a man pushed his way through the crowd towards me. As he got close he held out his hand. 'Hangly?' he asked 'Mr. Bernard Hangly?'
'Yes that's right. Are you John Hughes?'
The man looked confused, as if he had forgotten something, then suddenly smiled and shook hands with me. His hands were cold despite the relatively warm weather. 'Yes, it's good to meet you. Would you care to follow me?' and with that he turned and began to push through the crowd to the exit.I desperately tried to keep up with him. As I emerged from the crowd, I was immediately drawn to a carriage that was painted entirely in gold, black and blue. Mr. Hughes was walking towards it, and I hastened to catch up when I got closer I saw that my cases had been added to the luggage rack at the back. Mr. Hughes beckoned for me to get on and I did so, sitting down and shutting the door behind me. I turned and glanced out of the ... and saw, at the back of the crowd, the unmistakable face of Arthur Syntan! He was staring right at me, and I knew that I was not mistaken. I immediately threw open the window and leaned out, but by then we were turning a corner and he disappeared into the crowd once more. 'Problems?' asked Mr. Hughes. I turned back to him and smiled as warmly as I could. 'Just thought I saw an old friend of mine at the station. If you hadn't got us moving so quickly, I'd hoped to stay and chat with him.'
Mr. Hughes waved his hand in apology. 'Forgive me, but we must travel fast, as it is urgent that we get to town soon.'
'I hope you'll forgive asking, but where exactly are we going?'
Mr. Hughes grinned. 'I shan't tell you, Mr. Hangly, as it will spoil the surprise that awaits you.'
I found the way he said this very disconcerting, and so decided to change the subject. 'What business are you hoping to start?'
At this he laughed and said 'Once more, my friend, you'll find out tonight.'