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