RAILWAY MYSTERY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 87, 11 April 1916, Page 2

RAILWAY MYSTERY.

GIRL AND SOLDIER FALL FROM TRAIN. A railway tragedy is the subject of an inquest whic-h was open at Rickmansworth and adjourned until February 14. The story concerns the remarkable escape of a girl named Violet Reynolds, who was found wandering in a dazed condition on the railway line, and the death of an Australian infantry soldier named Volk. Miss Reynolds is only 18 years old. She is a shop assistant in Brewster's Library at Northwood, near Rickmansworth, where she lived with her parents. On January 26t-h she went to London to see friends, and returned by th e midnight train from Marylebone.

Just before the train started a soldier, now known to be Private Volk, who was engaged in a military capacity in the Commonwealth offices in London, and who was bilk-ted at Rickmansworth, entered the compartment in which Miss Reynolds was seated. She did not know Volk. When the train arrived at Northwood the compartment in which they had travelled was empty,, and the carriage door was hanging open. The s compartment was searched, and a woman 's hair comb and a button. from a woman's jacket were found on the seat.

The stationmaster sent railway porters up the line, and they met Miss Reynolds walking slowly towards them. She was suffering from severe shock, and was unable to give a clear narrative of her adventures. Her story was to the effect that when the 1 train was nearing Northwood she objected to the conduct of the soldier, and onened the door and s f ood on the footboard. All she remembers afterwards is meeting the rrilway porters.

About six hours later a further search, was conducted along the line, when the body of Private Volk was found. His neck was broken, and in his right hand was gripped Miss Reynold ' handbag. His body was picked up at a point nearer to Northwood than the spot whero Miss Reynolds Ml from the train.