Colbeck, on the other hand, had a deep affection for the railway system matched by a wide knowledge of its operation. As a result of his success in solving a daring train robbery and a series of related crimes, newspapers had christened him the Railway Detective and subsequent triumphs had reinforced his right to the nickname. Whenever there was a crisis on the line, the first person to whom railway companies turned was Robert Colbeck.

He knew why Leeming was so disaffected that evening. The sergeant was a married man with a wife he adored and two small children on whom he doted. Being parted from them for a night was always a trial to him and he sensed that that was about to happen. A train crash on the scale described would need careful investigation and it could not be completed in the failing light. He and Colbeck might well have to spend the night near the scene before continuing their enquiries on the following day.

After stopping at Horley station, the train set off again and soon entered the county of Sussex. More passengers alighted at Three Bridges station then they chugged on for over four miles until they reached Balcombe. Amid a hiss of steam, they came to a halt.

'Out we get, Victor,' said Colbeck, rising to his feet and reaching for his bag. 'This is the end of the line.'

'Thank heavens for that, sir!'

'No down trains can go beyond this point. No up trains from Brighton can get beyond Hayward's Heath. The timetable has been thrown into complete disarray by the accident.'

'How do we get to the scene?'

'We take a cab.'

'I like the sound of that,' said Leeming, brightening at once.

Colbeck opened the carriage door. 'I thought you might.'

'You know where you are with horses. They're sensible animals. They don't run into each other.'

'Neither do trains, for the most part.'

They stepped on to the platform and made their way towards a waiting line of cabs. Mindful of the great disruption caused by the accident, the railway company had tried to lessen its impact by arranging for a fleet of hansom cabs to be hastened to Balcombe station. Passengers destined for Burgess Hill, Hassocks Gate or Brighton itself would be driven to Hayward's Heath where a train awaited them. The detectives were going on a shorter journey.