noon
Kennedy agreed , and MacLeod excused himself , promising to be on the train , although not to ride with us , in case we should be the target of too inquisitive eyes . For a few moments , while our taxicab was coming , Kennedy considered thoughtfully what the company detective had said . By the time the vehicle arrived he had hurriedly packed up some apparatus in two large grips , one of which it fell to my lot to carry . The trip down to Nitropolis was uninteresting , and we arrived at the little station shortly after noon . MacLeod was on the train , but did not speak to us , and it was perhaps just as well , for the cabmen and others hanging about the station were keenly watching new arrivals , and any one with MacLeod must have attracted attention . We selected or were , rather , selected by one of the cabmen and driven immediately to the Snedden house . Our cover was , as Craig and I had decided , to pose as two newspaper men from New York , that being the easiest way to account for any undue interest we might show in things .