The comfortable middle-class Edwardian life of Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis is shattered when their father is arrested for treason. Forced to leave London for the country, they discover a railway line near their home, befriending the stationmaster and his family, the owner of the railway, and a Russian dissident in the course of their adventures, which culminate in a dramatic reunion. Described as `the first modern writer for children', Edith Nesbit here confirms her status with this skilful blend of humour, pathos, and vivid insight into the behaviour of her characters. This version is based upon the text of the sixth edition, with the significant variations from the first edition recorded in the explanatory notes. This book is intended for students and teachers in colleges of higher education, students of children's literature, parents, children, general.