The Signal That Never Stopped

They ride the Lantern Car back together — Heathcliff, Sugar, Spike, Vera, and Pip. The signal board is all green. The Railway is running. The lanterns are lit. Spike explains: he had found something in the Lantern Room that needed to be kept safe. He could not leave. He could not send a signal that would be intercepted. So he left a trail — small, careful, meant only for someone who was paying attention. 'I knew Sugar would come,' he says. 'I knew she would bring the right help.' He looks at Heathcliff. 'One WOOF means the signal is clean.' Heathcliff gives one WOOF. It echoes all the way down the line.