it happened on the 6-15 . Joyce Seaton was quarrelling with Barry West again . Barry had brought her more happiness than she had ever known was possible , and in her quieter moments she never had the slightest doubt she loved him . but lately they &apos;d been quarrelling far too often . she had never quarrelled with anyone more fiercely than she did with Barry and it was always about the same thing - whether she should give up her job and get married . why can n&apos;t you understand ? she said despairingly . it &apos;s more to me than just a job . it &apos;s true I &apos;ve only been a secretary for a few weeks , but it &apos;s what I &apos;ve dreamed and worked for since I started work . I &apos;m not just an ordinary typist any more , I &apos;m someone important . Barry &apos;s face set in the obstinate lines she had learned to recognise . I know . at last you &apos;ve got the chance to order other people about and you get a kick out of it . it &apos;s making you hard , Joyce . if you really meant what you said about loving me and wanting to marry me - seeing the wistful look on his face , Joyce began to regret all she &apos;d said . I did mean it . then why do n&apos;t you agree to be properly engaged ? Joyce drew a deep breath , determined to remain calm and reasonable . I thought I &apos;d explained how I feel . if I go around flashing an engagement ring it &apos;ll look as though my mind was on something else instead of my work . we neither of us go out with anyone else , do we ? what difference would an engagement make ? Barry was quiet now , quiet and in deadly earnest . it would mean that you really had made up your mind that your future lay with me . we could fix a date for our wedding and I could look forward to having you beside me all the time , instead of seeing you for an hour or less every night . you would n&apos;t have to catch this darn train each day , getting home too tired to do anything . he gazed at her earnestly . it &apos;s putting years on you , travelling to Marbury every day . you ought to take a look at yourself . you look much more tired since you took on that new job . oh , I suppose you &apos;ve a bit more money to spend on clothes and make-up , but - that &apos;s enough ! said Joyce sharply . Barry had really touched her on the raw , telling her she looked older . she knew in her heart that the responsibility of her new job , the hectic day that never seemed long enough , was telling on her . but she would n&apos;t admit it for worlds . Joyce stood up and took down her shopping bag from the rack . I think I &apos;d better find another compartment , she said . I was quite pleased when you came to Marbury to travel home with me . I did n&apos;t realise you &apos;d come to give me a lecture about the way I run my life . let me tell you , Barry West , that marriage is n&apos;t the only thing a girl thinks about these days . she can make a career for herself , lead a busy , useful life . that &apos;s what I &apos;m doing , and I love it . in fact , I may never marry . now look here , Joyce - he said indignantly . she brushed past him and , stepping out into the corridor , closed the door behind her with a slam . she was always quick-tempered , and now tears of vexation blinded her eyes . she hesitated in the corridor , and the chill draught that swept along it calmed her a little . of course she would marry Barry one day , but she was in no hurry to bury herself in a small house in Wilford . Barry really knew her , though . she loved the importance of her new job , the sense of urgency , having people doing as she asked - having extra money in her purse for new clothes , even for silly things like bits of costume jewellery or a new lipstick . she shivered again . she must n&apos;t stand here and catch cold , she told herself . Joyce had n&apos;t expected Barry to follow her , for she knew he was as obstinate as herself . it would look like a sign of weakness if she turned back and walked past his window . there was only one compartment between where she had been sitting with Barry and the end of the coach , so she opened the door and took a corner seat . after a second or so , her indignation subsided and she felt calm enough to take stock of her fellow-travellers . there was a man sitting opposite her holding a sporting paper in front of his face . Joyce did n&apos;t like what she saw of him , the long legs in narrow trousers and the shoes with pointed toes . the man lowered his paper to look at her and Joyce quickly glanced away , but not before her dislike of the stranger had been confirmed . he was older than she expected , about thirty , and his eyes were black and unusually searching . the thin mouth had an equally thin moustache above it . he might be harmless enough , but Joyce was relieved they were not alone in the compartment . there were two men sitting facing each other at the far end of the compartment . they &apos;d been chatting together , but as Joyce glanced at them , they both turned their heads and stared back . she closed her eyes , suddenly sick and more than a little scared . the look in their eyes had been one of pure hate . Joyce took another look at the man facing her , but he had raised his paper again . she was sure she had just imagined the strange look . tonight , she was even more tired than usual . but , despite her assurances , there was still a nagging little fear in her heart . I &apos;ll move farther up the train , she decided . perhaps I can find an empty compartment . she rose , took her bag , and went out . she turned the corner and came across the door to the next coach , which the guard was locking . he turned towards her , a grey-haired , elderly man with a kindly face . you can n&apos;t go through here , miss , he said . why not ? said Joyce . there &apos;s plenty of room at the front of the train . I thought I might find a compartment where I could put my feet up . the guard smiled at her but put away his keys . you can n&apos;t get through , miss , he insisted . this is the mail-coach and there is only the sorter inside . I have to lock this door everytime I pass through myself . come along and I &apos;ll find you a seat . he was polite but firm as he led her away . he opened the first door he came to , the compartment with the three men inside . there was nothing else for Joyce to do but step inside and sit down in her corner again . the man across from her was still holding up his paper , and the other two men were leaning back . one of them looked as though he was asleep . Joyce closed her eyes and tried to sleep herself , but an unusual inner excitement possessed her , and the noise of the train as it pounded through the night seemed louder than usual . she gave up the attempt to sleep and watched the empty corridor . the guard passed by towards the mail-van again , jingling his keys . the man across from Joyce tossed his paper aside and rose , stumbling over her feet . he did n&apos;t apologise . he opened the door with a curious intentness and followed the guard along the corridor and out of sight . he will n&apos;t get far , Joyce thought . the guard will turn him back at the mail-van door . the man was away longer than she expected , and when he opened the door again , he was breathing quickly . he stood in the doorway , looking past Joyce to the other men , although previously there had been no sign that they knew each other . right , said the man at the door . let &apos;s get going . sit down , said one of the thickset men quietly . he looked at his watch . we &apos;ve got another three minutes . through her lashes Joyce watched the man with the pointed shoes sit down tensely on the edge of his seat . she knew now that something was really wrong . she kept very still , her head tilted back as though sleeping . fear had her in its grip , for she knew now that she &apos;d been right the first time . those men had resented her arriving in the carriage and upsetting their plans . three silent men , tense and waiting , and the mail-van directly in front of them . what had happened to that kindly guard when the man with the pointed shoes had followed him ? why was he anxious for action ? and why had the other man held him back with a curt command ? Joyce felt that she knew the reason . later , as the train drew nearer to Wilford , it would slow down for the long climb up Shirley Rise . that was where these three men intended to leave it , after they had robbed the mail-van . I must tell someone , thought Joyce desperately . I must be calm and keep these men from guessing that I suspect anything . I &apos;ll leave the compartment quietly and unhurriedly and go for help . she thought of Barry , sitting unsuspectingly beyond that wall only a few yards from her . she felt nervous and shaky , but willed herself to be natural and composed . she shook herself , opened her eyes and put up her hand as if to stifle a yawn , when she stood up , took her bag from the rack and turned towards the door . the man with the pointed shoes stood with his back to it , his beady , close-set eyes fixed on her . not now , sister , he said softly . for a moment , Joyce felt her mouth go dry , but she answered him indignantly . what do you mean - not now ? he held his closed hand up before her , clenching something within his fist . his thumb moved , and she heard a sharp click . she found herself staring glassily at a knife-blade , only inches away from her face . Joyce turned and found that the other two men had risen and closed in on her from behind . you &apos;re coming with us , girlie , he said . we did n&apos;t want you , but it seems we &apos;ve got to take you along . Joyce opened her mouth to scream , but he was gripping her arm , digging his fingers into her flesh . he thrust his face close to her own . if you make a sound you &apos;ll regret it , he said menacingly . he broke off , and Joyce &apos;s gaze shifted fearfully , looking anywhere except into that cruel , fleshy face . the man with the knife moved it sideways significantly , as if drawing it across her throat . she wilted , and they moved on . the man with the knife stepped out first , and Joyce was pushed out behind him . she was hustled round to the door of the mail-van . now there was a sense of urgency about the three men . Joyce was pushed roughly aside and she saw the man with the knife had the railway guard &apos;s keys in his hands . he opened the door and at first she saw nothing but fat , disordered mail-sacks , with another closed door beyond where she guessed the sorter was at work . one of the men kicked a sack aside as he entered and she saw something else - a pair of feet jutting out from behind the bags - the guard . where &apos;s the registered stuff ? said one of the men . the man with the keys jerked his thumb towards the closed door . in there , with the sorter . all right . open up . one man was guarding Joyce closely . she kept trying to tell herself that this was n&apos;t really happening . that she was n&apos;t involved in violence and robbery . the inner door was unlocked and flung open . a man in shirt-sleeves , working at a sorting rack , turned to stare . look out ! Joyce cried . a hand clamped over her mouth . she was jerked backwards so painfully that her spine was jarred . 