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+Project Gutenberg's Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery, by Graham M. Dean
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery
+       A Story of Thrilling Exploits of the G-Men
+
+Author: Graham M. Dean
+
+Release Date: January 29, 2014 [EBook #44786]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AGENT NINE AND THE JEWEL MYSTERY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               Agent Nine
+                                and the
+                             Jewel Mystery
+
+
+                                  _By_
+                             Graham M. Dean
+                               Author of
+                       _Agent Nine’s First Case_
+
+                                   ★
+
+                     _A Story of Thrilling Exploits
+                            of the “G” Men_
+
+
+                                  The
+                      Goldsmith Publishing Company
+                                CHICAGO
+
+
+                          _Copyright 1935, by
+                   The Goldsmith Publishing Company_
+             _Manufactured in the United States of America_
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER                                                           PAGE
+  I. AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION                                        15
+  II. A NEW CASE                                                      25
+  III. “GOOD LUCK”                                                    35
+  IV. TULLY’S CHALLENGE                                               41
+  V. ON THE SOUTHERN LIMITED                                          45
+  VI. STRANGE EVENTS                                                  54
+  VII. THE MAN ON THE PLATFORM                                        64
+  VIII. TULLY’S PAPERS VANISH                                         73
+  IX. BOB GETS A WARNING                                              84
+  X. IN CAR 43                                                        93
+  XI. DOUBLE DANGER                                                   99
+  XII. A NEW MYSTERY                                                 110
+  XIII. GOING ON                                                     117
+  XIV. THE LIGHTS GO OUT                                             125
+  XV. IN THE AISLE                                                   132
+  XVI. FIGHTING FOR LIFE                                             139
+  XVII. INTO ANGRY WATERS                                            144
+  XVIII. PICKING UP CLUES                                            149
+  XIX. THE WARNING                                                   156
+  XX. MEAGER HOPES                                                   162
+  XXI. SPECIAL AGENT NINE                                            167
+  XXII. A HARD ASSIGNMENT                                            174
+  XXIII. SNAP AIM SCORES                                             186
+  XXIV. AT THE HOSPITAL                                              190
+  XXV. BOB GETS READY                                                195
+  XXVI. “DON’T MOVE!”                                                199
+  XXVII. SHERIFF MCCURDY TALKS                                       207
+  XXVIII. THEORIES                                                   211
+  XXIX. MORE CLUES                                                   216
+  XXX. READY FOR ACTION                                              222
+  XXXI. A BOAT FLASHES PAST                                          227
+  XXXII. LOST ISLAND AHEAD                                           232
+  XXXIII. OUT OF THE NIGHT                                           236
+  XXXIV. IN THE SHANTY                                               240
+  XXXV. REVERSING THE TABLES                                         245
+  XXXVI. UNTANGLING THE WEB                                          248
+
+
+
+
+                           AGENT NINE AND THE
+                             JEWEL MYSTERY
+
+
+                                   ★
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter I
+                       AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob Houston, the youngest agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
+stepped out of the Department of Justice Building and turned toward home,
+his heart beating faster than it had in months. It hardly seemed real but
+he was now a full-fledged agent in the greatest man hunting division in
+the Federal Government.
+
+Bob paused a moment at the curb. Another man who had emerged from the
+justice building joined him. It was his uncle, Merritt Hughes, one of the
+most famous detectives in the department. He put his arm around Bob’s
+shoulders and shook him in a rough but friendly embrace.
+
+“Well, Bob, how does it feel to be a real federal agent?” he asked.
+
+It was a moment before Bob replied, and when he finally spoke the words
+came slowly.
+
+“I hardly know,” he confessed, “as yet it doesn’t seem real, but there is
+one thing I do know—I’m going to work night and day to make a success of
+this new job.”
+
+“Don’t worry about making a success,” advised his uncle. “You’ve got the
+stuff to make good or you wouldn’t have been taken into the department.”
+
+“When do you think I’ll get my first assignment on a new case?” asked
+Bob.
+
+“That’s hard to say,” replied the famous detective, “but if I were you
+I’d go home now and get a good night’s sleep. In this kind of a game
+you’d better sleep when you can.”
+
+“Then I’m headed for home now,” said Bob. “Good night, and thanks for all
+you’ve done for me.”
+
+With that the young federal agent strode off down the avenue, his lungs
+drinking in great gulps of the cool air of the fall night.
+
+Merritt Hughes stood on the curb of the justice building watching his
+nephew until Bob turned the corner a block away. Anyone noticing the
+federal agent would have seen a slight smile of pleasure on his lips and
+he might have guessed that Merritt Hughes was greatly pleased by the
+events which had happened in the preceding hours.
+
+As a matter of fact, Bob Houston, a plain clerk in the archives division
+of the War Department, temporarily a provisional federal agent, had been
+the key figure in preventing the theft of some of Uncle Sam’s most
+valuable radio secrets.
+
+Through Bob’s efforts a daring plot had been thwarted and the men
+responsible taken into custody. As a reward for this brilliant work, Bob
+had been made a full-fledged agent of the famous bureau of investigation
+of the Department of Justice.
+
+There were many thoughts in Bob’s mind as he strode toward home that
+night. Only that afternoon he had led the raid on the east shore of
+Maryland which had resulted in the apprehension of the gang which had
+been attempting to steal the radio secrets. Then, after the return to
+Washington, had come eventful hours.
+
+Bob would never forget the scene in the office of Waldo Edgar, chief of
+the bureau of investigation, when Mr. Edgar had informed Bob that he was
+a regular federal agent and had presented his credentials to him.
+
+Just to make sure that he wasn’t dreaming, Bob pulled a small leather
+wallet from an inside coat pocket and paused under a street light to look
+at its contents. There was no mistake. There in the wallet was a small
+gold badge which denoted his office and the finely engraved card which
+marked his identification. Bob replaced the wallet with a particular glow
+of satisfaction and continued toward home.
+
+The night air was raw and Bob increased his pace as he neared the
+building where he made his home. He turned in at the entrance and made
+his way up to the third floor where he had a comfortable room in a rear
+apartment.
+
+Bob unlocked the door and snapped on the light. It was a typical man’s
+room with a large chiffonier and a deep clothes closet in one wall. There
+was a reading light near the head of the bed and beside this a large easy
+chair with a book rack. A number of books and magazines were scattered on
+this rack, and usually Bob sat down to read for a time before going to
+bed; but tonight he was too tired to read and he undressed rapidly.
+
+Tired though he was, sleep was slow in coming to him as his mind went
+over the events of recent hours. Bob wondered just what Tully Ross was
+thinking and doing, for Tully had been his rival in seeking a solution to
+the mystery of the radio secrets.
+
+Tully, also a clerk in the archives division of the War Department, had
+an uncle, Condon Adams, who, like Merritt Hughes, was a federal agent.
+Both Tully and his uncle had worked on the radio case, but by dint of
+Bob’s good fortune and sharp detective work Bob and his uncle had solved
+the case before Tully and _his_ uncle could find the solution. In spite
+of this, Tully had been made an agent in the bureau of investigation and
+there was every indication that the rivalry which had started when they
+were clerks in the War Department would continue in their new work.
+
+Bob was just dropping asleep when the telephone beside his bed rang
+sharply. He turned on the light and picked up the instrument, all thought
+of sleep now gone from his mind. Could it be his first assignment?
+
+“Hello? Hello?” said Bob anxiously.
+
+But there was no reply over the wire and Bob clicked the receiver hook
+several times, finally deciding that the call must have been the wrong
+number.
+
+When Bob finally did get to sleep he slept with the heaviness of complete
+nervous and physical exhaustion. It was mid-forenoon and the sun was
+streaming in his windows when he finally awakened. There had been no
+instructions to him on when to report for his new work and he took a
+shower and dressed leisurely.
+
+Bob stepped out of the apartment building and took a deep breath of the
+crisp air of the mid-fall morning. Then he walked down the street to a
+small shop where he usually had his breakfast.
+
+After ordering his breakfast he picked up a morning paper on his table
+and his eyes instantly focused on the headlines in the center of the
+front page:
+
+             “FEDERAL AGENTS CAPTURE GANG OF RADIO THIEVES”
+
+Bob read the story with avid attention. Here in detail was related on the
+front page of one of the nation’s great newspapers the complete story of
+the part he had played in rounding up the gang of radio thieves. Bob
+looked up from the paper. His face felt flushed and he knew he appeared
+highly self-conscious, but no one seemed to be noticing him and he
+resumed his reading of the story.
+
+It was evident that the reporter who had written the story must have
+obtained his information from a federal agent, but Bob knew that there
+was a rule in the department that all information of this type must come
+from the head of the department. He was quite sure that Waldo Edgar had
+not given out the story. As Bob read further the conviction grew that
+Tully Ross must have supplied the facts for the newspaper story, for a
+great deal of credit had been given to Tully for things which he had not
+done.
+
+Bob dropped the paper in disgust. That was just like Tully to attempt to
+claim credit for something which someone else had done.
+
+Bob finished his breakfast, paid his bill and started walking toward the
+Department of Justice Building. He had gone a little more than a block
+when a car pulled along the curb and the driver stuck his head out the
+window.
+
+“Want a lift, Bob?” asked a pleasant voice and Bob turned to face
+Lieutenant Gibbons, War Department intelligence officer, who had helped
+him in the solution of the radio mystery.
+
+Bob climbed into the coupé and Lieutenant Gibbons sent the car shooting
+down the avenue, dodging in and out of the heavy mid-forenoon stream of
+traffic.
+
+“Quite a story in the morning papers,” smiled the lieutenant.
+
+Bob nodded.
+
+“Looks like Tully Ross has been doing a little personal press agenting,”
+he said. “Personally, I’m not very strong for that sort of thing.”
+
+“Neither am I,” said the lieutenant, “but some people seem to live on a
+diet of publicity and I guess Tully is one of that kind.”
+
+The lieutenant wheeled his coupé up in front of the Department of Justice
+Building and Bob stepped out.
+
+“Thanks a lot for the lift,” he said.
+
+“Oh, that’s all right, Bob. I wonder when we’ll be working on a case
+again?”
+
+“That’s hard to say,” grinned Bob. “Hope it will be soon.”
+
+With that he turned and entered the building while Lieutenant Gibbons
+resumed his journey.
+
+Bob took an elevator to the top floor where the head of the bureau of
+investigation had his offices. A clerk in the anteroom took his name and
+looked up sharply as he consulted an appointment chart on his desk.
+
+“I think Mr. Edgar is expecting you,” he said, “for your name is on his
+call list this morning.”
+
+Bob looked eagerly at the clerk.
+
+“Does this mean I’m going to be assigned to a case?” he asked.
+
+“I can’t say,” replied the clerk, “but I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ll
+send in your name at once. Just have a seat and wait for a few minutes.”
+
+Bob was the only one in the anteroom and he sat down on a padded bench
+beside the clerk’s desk, with a growing feeling that within a few minutes
+he would be called in and assigned on his first case as a full time
+federal agent.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter II
+                               A NEW CASE
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob had been waiting in the anteroom less than five minutes when the door
+banged open and Tully Ross almost catapulted into the room. Tully was
+about the last person in the world that Bob wanted to see just then but
+he grinned and made the best of it.
+
+“Hello, Tully. What’s all the hurry?” he asked.
+
+Tully stopped abruptly and stared at Bob. There was no friendliness in
+the glance that swept Bob from head to foot.
+
+“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he blurted out.
+
+“That goes for me, too,” replied Bob. “That was quite a story you gave
+the reporters last night.”
+
+A deep flush swept over Tully’s face but he was quick to deny the
+implications in Bob’s words.
+
+“What story do you mean?” he asked sharply.
+
+“I guess you know what I mean,” said Bob evenly. “I thought it was a rule
+of this department not to give out news stories.”
+
+“You’re on the wrong track,” Tully insisted; but Bob knew by the
+expression on Tully’s face that Tully had given out the news story,
+thereby violating one of the rules of the department.
+
+Tully sat down on a bench on the other side of the room facing Bob. He
+was silent for less than a minute for he could not check his curiosity.
+
+“Have you been assigned to a case yet?” he asked. There was an envious
+note in his voice.
+
+“Not yet, but I expect to get an assignment soon,” said Bob. “Have you a
+new assignment?”
+
+“I’m expecting one this morning,” replied Tully confidently. “In fact,
+that’s why I’m here.”
+
+The clerk in charge of the room returned and asked Tully’s name and
+business.
+
+“Mr. Edgar will be ready to see both of you in a minute or two,” the
+clerk advised them.
+
+A buzzer on the clerk’s desk whirred and the official stepped to the
+door, opened it and motioned for Bob and Tully to enter the private
+office.
+
+Waldo Edgar, the slender, wiry head of the bureau of investigation looked
+up from behind the pile of papers on his desk. Bob saw a copy of one of
+the morning papers spread out in front of the federal chief and he knew
+that both he and Tully were quite likely to be in for some unpleasant
+moments.
+
+“Good morning, boys,” said Mr. Edgar, but there was little warmth in his
+voice and he left them standing in front of his desk as he pointed to the
+story in the paper in front of him. His gaze centered on Bob.
+
+“Are you responsible for this story, Bob?” he asked.
+
+The young federal agent’s denial was quick and confident.
+
+“I didn’t know a thing about the story until I read it at breakfast this
+morning,” he said.
+
+“This seems to be a pretty accurate account of what actually took place
+in the roundup of the gang responsible for the theft of the radio
+secrets,” said the federal chief. “The information could have been
+supplied only by someone in our own department and you know there is a
+rule against giving out such information.”
+
+“I know there is such a rule,” said Bob, “and I can assure you that I
+have talked to no one.”
+
+Bob’s straightforward words seemed to satisfy the federal chief and he
+shifted his gaze to Tully, who was standing uneasily on first one foot
+and then the other.
+
+“What have you to say for yourself, Tully?”
+
+The question was short and pointed and Bob saw Tully’s eyes shift away
+from those of Waldo Edgar.
+
+“I guess I’m to blame for the story,” confessed Tully. “You see it was
+this way—”
+
+But Tully’s explanation was cut short.
+
+“I’m not interested in how you happened to talk,” said the federal chief.
+“However, I am glad that you have admitted your indiscretion so readily.
+In the future be sure to keep this rule in mind. It is your job to solve
+the cases assigned to you and to keep out of the headlines and off the
+front pages of the newspapers. The less publicity we have the more
+effective can be our work.”
+
+After delivering that short but pointed lecture Waldo Edgar picked up a
+file of papers on his desk and skimmed through them hurriedly.
+
+“I called both of you in at this time,” he explained, “because I am
+assigning you on the same case.”
+
+Bob glanced sharply at Tully and there was a deep scowl on his rival’s
+face. The exchange of glances was not lost to Waldo Edgar for he was
+aware of the rivalry between his youngest agents.
+
+“I realize quite well that both of you are intensely interested in
+winning advancement in this department,” he went on. “For that very
+reason I know that when I assign you to a case you will leave nothing
+undone until you find the solution. You may step on one another’s toes in
+reaching your goal but you get results and that is what I want.”
+
+The federal chief once more consulted the file on his desk.
+
+“The mission I am going to send you on is one which has baffled some of
+the best men in the customs service. In other words, I am counting on you
+two youngsters, with your enthusiasm and determination, to get to the
+bottom of one of the most difficult cases that has been assigned to this
+department in recent years.”
+
+Bob, looking down at the desk in front of him, saw a number of letters
+which bore the insignia of the customs service. Several of them were
+post-marked from cities in Florida. In addition, there were several
+letters from Paris and London.
+
+“When I tell you that I am assigning you to this case, don’t think I’m
+altogether foolish, for both Merritt Hughes and Condon Adams will be
+working with you,” said the federal chief.
+
+Bob knew what that meant. There would be the same rivalry which had
+marked the radio mystery with Condon Adams and Tully Ross attempting to
+solve the case before Bob and his uncle could find the solution.
+
+“I have already had Adams and Hughes in here this morning and have
+explained in detail this case. They have departed on their own
+assignments and I shall expect both of you to be on your way to Florida
+early in the afternoon.
+
+“Briefly it will be your task to help bring to justice one of the most
+daring band of jewel smugglers that has ever operated between Europe and
+the United States. They are so clever and daring that they have defied
+the efforts of the best detectives in the customs service and we have
+been appealed to for aid in solving the case. Actually, we have very
+little to go upon.
+
+“Apparently this is a small but very versatile band of men. Just how they
+get the jewels into this country is one of the mysteries which you must
+solve. One of the few things that we do know is that they apparently are
+operating off the Florida coast, reaching this country by the means of
+small, fast boats. It is going to be your task to attempt to find the
+base along the Florida coast where they center their operations.”
+
+Waldo Edgar swung around in his chair and turned to a large map of the
+United States which covered the entire wall behind his desk. He picked up
+a pointer and touched several spots on the Florida section on the map.
+
+“Bob,” he instructed, “you are to proceed as rapidly as possible to
+Atalissa, a small town on the coast. That is to be your headquarters for
+we know that somewhere in the territory adjacent to Atalissa these
+smugglers have been operating. I must warn you now that you must use
+every precaution to keep your identity secret for this particular section
+of the Florida coast is not friendly toward federal men.”
+
+The pointer in the hand of the federal chief moved further along the map
+until it paused once more at a coastal town.
+
+“You are to go to Nira,” he instructed Tully. “I consider that this is as
+far south as the smugglers are operating while Atalissa is the northern
+point. Somewhere between these two bases I am sure you will be able to
+uncover information which will be of real value to us.”
+
+Waldo Edgar turned back from the map and faced his young agents. There
+was just a trace of a smile on his lips.
+
+“Think you can handle this assignment?” he asked.
+
+Bob was the first to reply.
+
+“I’ll handle it if I have to swim along the whole coast of Florida,” he
+said.
+
+Waldo Edgar chuckled. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
+
+“How about my uncle and Merritt Hughes?” asked Tully. “Will they be
+working in the same territory?”
+
+“Yes, they are working on the Florida angle of the case and I expect you
+to keep them advised of any developments which you are able to uncover.
+You can reach them in Jacksonville and their telephone number will be
+given to you before you leave Washington this afternoon. If you call here
+at one o’clock, your complete transportation and expense money will be
+ready for you as well as a written file of all the information which we
+now have about the jewel smugglers. Can you be ready by one o’clock?”
+
+“I can go now,” said Bob.
+
+“Better go home and throw an extra shirt or two and some socks into a
+traveling bag,” advised the federal chief. “I like to see plenty of
+enthusiasm, but you may be gone a good many weeks and you should be
+thoroughly prepared for a strenuous trip. If you have boots and some good
+heavy clothes, be sure to put them in your bag and by all means do not go
+unarmed.”
+
+Waldo Edgar stood up and shook hands with each of them.
+
+“I will not see you again before you go, but I expect great things from
+both of you. I shall watch your reports with interest.”
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter III
+                              “GOOD LUCK”
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob and Tully left the office of the federal chief together and descended
+in the same elevator to the first floor. Both of them were stirred by a
+strong feeling of elation for this was their first assignment since
+becoming federal agents.
+
+Bob would have liked to talk the case over with his uncle, but he knew
+now that Merritt Hughes was already on his way to Florida and whatever
+Bob was to do on the case he would have to do alone.
+
+“Seems to me you get all the best of these assignments,” grumbled Tully.
+“I know something about Florida and Nira is just about the last place in
+the world I want to go to.”
+
+“I don’t see why you should complain,” said Bob, “even though Nira may
+not be a very pleasant place, for you have a distinct advantage over me
+since I have never been to Florida.”
+
+They parted as they walked out of the building, and Bob, hailing a
+taxicab, sped toward the apartment building where he made his home.
+
+Packing was a comparatively simple thing for Bob. He pulled a serviceable
+but battered Gladstone bag out of the closet and opened it upon the bed.
+
+Fortunately he had a large supply of freshly laundered clothes and he
+packed one side of the bag solid with shirts, socks and underwear. That
+done he went back to the closet and rummaged around until he found an old
+hunting outfit of corduroy trousers and coat.
+
+From one corner of the closet he pulled a pair of heavy boots which were
+soft and pliable. The woolen socks which he pulled from the boots had
+been almost consumed by moths and Bob threw the socks away, making a
+mental note that he would have to buy more either in Washington or when
+he arrived in Florida.
+
+On the third trip to the closet Bob returned with a well-worn gun case in
+his hands. He opened the brown leather case and drew forth a special
+hunting rifle which had been given to him by his uncle several years
+before.
+
+The gun had received excellent care as the gleaming barrel indicated, and
+Bob, sitting down on the edge of the bed, caressed it with hands that
+were almost affectionate. He had nicknamed the gun “Ezekiel” after an
+eccentric old hunter he had known in his home town in Iowa.
+
+Bob, although not a remarkable shot with a rifle, could be classed as
+better than average, for his eyesight was good and his finger was steady
+in its pull on the trigger.
+
+The young federal agent examined the gun carefully. There was more than a
+good chance that it might be called into use if his Florida trip
+developed all of the possibilities Waldo Edgar had indicated. Bob sighted
+through the barrel of the gun and smiled to himself as he noted the
+cleanness of the bore, for he prided himself on the care which he had
+given the weapon.
+
+There was a small box of ammunition in the gun case and Bob examined the
+shells. They had been in the case for three months but there was no
+reason to believe that they had deteriorated for the gun case had been
+kept in a warm, dry place.
+
+Bob slipped the rifle back into the case, which was just long enough to
+fit into his Gladstone bag. He folded up his corduroy outfit and placed
+this on top of the rifle. Then the boots went in and on top of them he
+jammed several soft flannel shirts that could be worn a reasonable time
+without laundering. It was impossible to foretell just what he would
+encounter in Florida and he wanted to be prepared for every possible
+emergency.
+
+The packing had taken longer than Bob had expected and when he looked at
+his watch he realized that there was little time to lose if he expected
+to reach the justice department building for his one o’clock appointment.
+Bob jammed his shaving outfit in on top of his clothes and closed the
+bag. It fairly bulged with the articles he had packed away and the big
+case was both clumsy and heavy to carry.
+
+Bob looked around his room as he paused at the door. It might be weeks
+before he would return and he would miss the orderly pleasantness of the
+room with his comfortable chair and his excellent books.
+
+Then he closed and locked the door and walked down the hallway as rapidly
+as he could with his heavy bag. He summoned a taxi and started for the
+Department of Justice Building where detailed instructions were awaiting
+him.
+
+The ride down town took less than ten minutes and Bob reached the
+building at five minutes to one, just in time to see Tully Ross precede
+him through the main entrance.
+
+Bob paid his taxi fare and then left his heavy bag at the information
+desk on the main floor while he was whirled upward in an elevator. The
+same clerk who had greeted him that morning was on duty in the outer
+office and Tully, seated on a bench, was opening a large Manila envelope.
+
+“Your instructions, train tickets, expense money and data on the case are
+all in this envelope,” said the clerk, handing a similar container to
+Bob. “Your train leaves at 1:30 so I suggest that you get to the station
+at once and then go into the details of this case after you are on your
+way south.”
+
+“Thanks a lot,” nodded Bob. “I’m on my way.”
+
+“Good luck,” said the clerk, who looked enviously after Bob, for after
+all there were not very many thrills in clerical work.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter IV
+                           TULLY’S CHALLENGE
+                                   ★
+
+
+Tully Ross followed Bob into the elevator and they dropped toward the
+first floor.
+
+“I guess we’re taking the same train as far as Jacksonville,” said Tully.
+“What a pleasure that’s going to be!”
+
+Tully’s last words were sneering and vindictive, and a little of Bob’s
+pent-up resentment burst out. Fortunately no one else was in the elevator
+at the time.
+
+“You’d better take inventory of yourself, Tully,” advised Bob, “or you’re
+going to run head-on into trouble. I haven’t got it in for you and you
+can take full credit for anything that you do. Don’t be so blamed
+suspicious of everything. You do your work and I’ll do mine. The main
+thing is going to be to solve this case and I don’t care who does it just
+as long as we are successful. If you’d only warm up a little we could go
+over this case on the way south this afternoon and we might have some
+ideas that we could both benefit by.”
+
+Tully looked suspicious.
+
+“What are you getting at?” he asked.
+
+They were on the main floor again and passengers bound for the upper
+floors swept into the elevator.
+
+“We’ll take a taxi together to the station and I’ll tell you on the way
+there,” said Bob.
+
+Tully had two smaller bags while Bob had only the large gladstone and
+they loaded the bags and themselves into a taxi and started for the union
+station.
+
+“I’m just trying to get at this,” said Bob. “Both of us have chances for
+brilliant futures in this service if we don’t let personal rivalry warp
+our better judgment. That was a shabby trick of yours in giving that
+story to the newspapers and I rather think you hoped that I would be
+blamed.”
+
+Tully was silent and Bob went on.
+
+“I’m willing to let that pass and some other things that have happened if
+you feel that you’re willing to work along with me on this case. The old
+saying that two heads are better than one is certainly true in this kind
+of work and we can both benefit by it. What do you say?”
+
+Bob’s clear, blue eyes bored deep into Tully’s brown ones and he held out
+his hand.
+
+Tully held Bob’s gaze for a moment and then his eyes shifted uneasily. He
+made no motion to take Bob’s proffered hand.
+
+“Well, if that’s the way you feel about it, I’m glad that we have had a
+definite understanding,” said Bob.
+
+“I guess that’s the way it’s got to be,” said Tully slowly. “I don’t like
+you, Bob, and there’s no use in making any bones about it. I’m going to
+solve this case even if I have to step all over you in doing it.”
+
+“Well, Tully, you just run along and do your best; but I’m serving fair
+warning on you right now that if you try to step on any of my toes,
+you’ll wish you hadn’t. There’s only one way to play this game and that’s
+to play it fair and square. I’m going to play it that way and I’m going
+to win and nothing that you can do will stop me. If it is humanly
+possible that case will be solved within the next few weeks.”
+
+Tully looked squarely at Bob.
+
+“Is that a challenge?” he asked.
+
+“Call it anything you like.”
+
+“Then I say that you won’t solve it in two months if you solve it at
+all.”
+
+“Two months it is,” retorted Bob, “and by that I mean that every angle of
+this case will be cleaned up and either all of the men connected with it
+in federal custody or beyond our reach and you can put that down in
+writing if you want to.”
+
+“I won’t do that,” sneered Tully, “for it might be too embarrassing to
+have to have it recalled when you fail.”
+
+“I’m not going to fail,” said Bob firmly, and although Tully wouldn’t
+have admitted it at the time, he had a premonition that Bob was
+right—that he would not fail.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter V
+                        ON THE SOUTHERN LIMITED
+                                   ★
+
+
+The taxi pulled up in front of the union station and Bob and Tully,
+spurning the offers of red caps, carried their luggage into the huge
+structure.
+
+The great terminal was alive with activity and through the loud speaker
+system the departures of half a dozen famous trains were being announced.
+
+Bob’s Gladstone was too heavy to carry very far without shifting it from
+hand to hand. When he reached the train shed he put the bag down beside
+him and opened the envelope in which his tickets had been placed. His
+Pullman reservation called for lower five in car 43 on train number 7,
+the Southern Limited. Tully paused beside Bob.
+
+“Are you in car 43?” he asked.
+
+“Lower five,” said Bob.
+
+“Humph,” grunted Tully. “What luck I have. There must have been some
+mistake. I’m in upper five.”
+
+“No, I don’t think there was any mistake,” grinned Bob as he visualized
+how Tully, who was inclined to stoutness, would look scrambling in and
+out of upper five that night. “Perhaps the clerk who made out these
+tickets thought you needed a little exercise.”
+
+Picking up their bags they walked to the nearest train gate where the
+ticket inspector checked their tickets and waved them toward the Southern
+Limited, which was standing on track number three.
+
+Car 43, in which they were to make their journey southward, was near the
+center of the train and by the time Bob and Tully were comfortably seated
+in the car, the porters were making their final calls of “’bo-o-oard.”
+The Southern Limited started slowly but easily picked up speed as the
+trucks clicked over the joints.
+
+Travel that day was light and there was only one other passenger on the
+car, a man who appeared to be about forty, short, dark, but marked with a
+distinguishing streak of grey in the center of his head. He was the type
+of man who, though he attracted attention, did not invite
+acquaintanceship.
+
+Tully continued to grumble at intervals, complaining that it was grossly
+unfair for Bob to have a lower berth while he was compelled to climb into
+an upper.
+
+But Bob ignored Tully’s complaints. The train was soon speeding into
+Virginia and with the capital behind Bob took out the envelope with the
+history of the case they were working on. Since they were practically
+alone on the car it would be an ideal time to go over this material and
+memorize in detail all of the essential information contained in it.
+
+Tully likewise pulled out the heavy manila envelope which contained a
+copy of the same report Bob had in his hands but instead of reading it
+there Tully went forward into the smoking compartment. Bob knew that
+Tully did not smoke so it was obvious that Tully had gone forward simply
+to get away from him.
+
+There were a dozen closely typed sheets in the report and they reviewed
+in detail all of the activities of the jewel smugglers which were known
+to the federal officials. As he read, Bob was astounded at the daring
+with which the smuggling was conducted.
+
+The reports indicated clearly that the headquarters for the smuggling
+operations must lie somewhere along the east coast of Florida and the
+names of both Nira and Atalissa appeared frequently in the typed reports.
+It was evident that at least half a dozen federal men, most of them in
+the customs service, had been working on the case at various times.
+
+There was one paragraph in their report that struck Bob with unusual
+force. It read:
+
+“A conservative estimate of the amount of jewels which the gang has
+smuggled into this country in the last six months would be at least half
+a million dollars. There is no way of knowing just how extensive are
+their operations. Agents are especially warned to use great care in any
+approach to any members of this gang. Agents working on this case should
+go armed at all times. It is imperative that the men responsible for
+these operations be taken into custody at the earliest possible time.”
+
+Bob read this paragraph several times and it brought home to him the
+possible dangers which he might face in the coming weeks.
+
+The other passenger in the car whose seat was behind Bob got up and went
+forward into the smoking compartment where Tully had gone previously.
+
+Bob looked up as the man went past him. The stranger was powerfully built
+and Bob especially noticed the breadth and strength of his hands.
+
+Bob thought little of the incident but hoped that Tully would have the
+good sense to put away the secret papers when the stranger entered the
+smoking compartment. As the train sped through the fertile Virginia farm
+lands the young federal agent continued his perusal of the report.
+
+The concluding paragraph was such that he read it three or four times.
+
+“From all information at hand, it appears obvious that not more than five
+men are involved in this smuggling enterprise. So far we have been unable
+to identify positively any member of the gang so all agents are doubly
+warned against any incautious remarks which might indicate the reason for
+their visit to Florida. In case of any unusual emergency notify
+headquarters by long distance telephone at once.”
+
+Bob went back over the report again in detail and, when he had finished,
+placed it in the sturdy envelope, sealed it, and put it in his Gladstone
+bag. He felt now that he knew as much about the case as it was possible
+to learn until he actually reached Atalissa.
+
+After a time Bob walked forward and stepped into the smoking compartment
+where Tully and the stranger were engaged in animated conversation.
+
+Tully looked up but there was little warmth in his glance. That, however,
+did not deter Bob from sitting down on one of the comfortable leather
+upholstered benches. The stranger looked at Bob and a rather pleasant
+smile framed his lips.
+
+“Going to Florida?” he asked.
+
+“Jacksonville,” said Bob laconically.
+
+“That’s fine, I’m going there too. Hamsa, Joe Hamsa, is the name,” said
+the stranger reaching over and extending his hand in greeting.
+
+Bob grasped the extended hand but he winced slightly at the strength of
+the other’s grip.
+
+“I’m Bob Houston of Washington,” replied Bob by way of introducing
+himself.
+
+“Going south on business or just taking a vacation?” asked Joe Hamsa and
+Bob thought there was a peculiar flicker in the other’s eyes.
+
+“Well, it’s a combination of both,” replied Bob.
+
+“Wish I could say as much,” went on Hamsa, “but it’s all business with
+me. I’m glad you boys are on the car today. I don’t like to travel alone
+and especially at night.”
+
+Bob wondered just why Mr. Hamsa, who appeared perfectly capable of taking
+care of himself, did not care to travel alone. He was not in doubt long
+for Hamsa suddenly developed a voluble streak.
+
+“Diamonds are my specialty,” he said, “and I’ve been held up once or
+twice. Believe me, there’s no fun in that.”
+
+Mr. Hamsa did not look particularly like the type of man who would submit
+to a holdup peacefully, and there was something about him that aroused
+suspicions in Bob’s mind.
+
+The young federal agent glanced across the compartment to where Tully was
+seated and he was surprised to note that the papers in the confidential
+report on the smuggling ring were scattered on the seat beside Tully.
+
+What was even more astounding was the pallor of Tully’s face, and the
+glassy stare in his eyes.
+
+“Tully,” cried Bob, “what’s the matter?”
+
+But there was no response from Tully except a slight twitching of his
+lips which indicated that he might be trying to answer.
+
+“Tully,” repeated Bob, “what’s the matter?”
+
+The sharp questions voiced by the young federal agent caused Hamsa also
+to turn and stare at Tully.
+
+Bob was less than six feet away from Tully, yet the other failed to
+answer his questions or to give any sign of recognition. He sat there
+like a man under a hypnotic spell.
+
+Bob leaped to his feet and in one long stride was beside Tully. With firm
+hands he grasped Tully’s shoulders and shook him vigorously.
+
+Tully’s head dropped forward on his chest and he seemed suddenly to
+collapse, sliding forward off the leather bench and falling to the floor.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter VI
+                             STRANGE EVENTS
+                                   ★
+
+
+Tully’s collapse came so suddenly that Bob was unable to check his fall
+to the floor, but he leaned down almost instantly and lifted Tully back
+on one of the benches.
+
+Bob’s face was close to Tully’s and he caught a whiff of an acrid smell
+on Tully’s breath. His companion’s breathing was slow and distinctly
+labored.
+
+Bob grasped one of Tully’s wrists and checked the pulse beat. His
+knowledge of first aid was somewhat limited, but the steadiness of the
+pulse count reassured him and he decided that Tully had probably fallen
+victim to a sudden fainting attack.
+
+Joe Hamsa leaned over Bob and attempted to aid him in ministering to
+Tully.
+
+“Anything I can do?” he asked.
+
+“Get a cup of water,” said Bob, and Hamsa hastened away to do his
+bidding. He was back soon with the paper cup brimming full of water. Bob
+moistened his handkerchief in this and bathed Tully’s cheeks and forehead
+while Hamsa loosened his tie and collar, and massaged his wrists.
+
+Just then the Pullman conductor came into the compartment.
+
+“What’s doing here?” he asked.
+
+Bob answered without looking up.
+
+“I think my companion suffered a fainting attack. Have you any smelling
+salts?”
+
+“I have some in my first aid kit up ahead,” replied the conductor,
+departing to obtain it.
+
+He returned in less than a minute with the smelling salts and Bob gave
+Tully several deep sniffs from the pungent smelling bottle. The
+penetrating qualities of the salts seemed to reach Tully’s subconscious
+mind and draw away the curtain which had clouded his consciousness. He
+made an effort to rouse himself but Bob speaking in a low voice forced
+him back on the leather bench.
+
+“Take it easy, Tully,” he advised. “You’ll feel stronger in a short
+time.”
+
+Tully opened his eyes and stared at them. It was evident that he had no
+idea what had happened to him.
+
+Bob, who had been somewhat concerned when he saw the sheets of Tully’s
+confidential report laying out in the open, now took time to look for
+them. They were still scattered on one of the leather benches and as far
+as Bob could determine they had not been disturbed. He reached out and
+with the sweep of one hand brushed them into a pile at one corner of the
+bench. Fortunately they had been turned face down, and Bob felt sure that
+there had been no opportunity for either Hamsa or the Pullman conductor
+to read the contents.
+
+Tully attempted to sit up and Bob’s attention returned to his unfortunate
+traveling companion. Tully still appeared shaken but his eyes were
+clearer and once more there was a touch of color in his cheeks.
+
+Tully signalled that he would like a drink of water and Hamsa hurried
+away to fill another paper cup from the tank in the vestibule. When he
+returned Tully took several deep draughts of the water and he appeared
+greatly refreshed.
+
+“I don’t know what happened,” he mumbled, shaking his head slowly. “My
+mind seems so heavy. I can’t think.”
+
+“Better take it easy for a while,” advised Bob. “Here, stretch out on
+this couch. I’ll get the porter to bring you a blanket.”
+
+Bob stepped out and called the porter who was in the other end of the
+car, and, thus far, unaware that anything unusual had taken place in the
+smoking compartment. At Bob’s instructions he brought a blanket and
+placed it over Tully. Then he brought in a pillow and the federal agent
+was made as comfortable as possible.
+
+“Want me to make up a berth?” asked the porter, but Tully shook his head.
+
+“Not now. I’ll be all right here. Just let me rest.”
+
+Bob’s keen eyes roved around the smoking compartment. The papers which
+had been in Tully’s confidential envelope had been placed on the opposite
+couch, evidently by Hamsa or the Pullman conductor. Bob caught a quick
+glance from Tully and sensed that the other wanted the papers put away at
+once.
+
+The young federal agent stepped over to the leather couch, scooped up the
+sheets of typewritten paper, and placed them in the envelope.
+
+“Thanks,” said Tully, when Bob handed the package to him. He slipped the
+documents into an inner pocket of his coat, closed his eyes, and was soon
+in a deep sleep.
+
+This might have been alarming had not Tully’s breathing been deep and
+natural and the color in his cheeks more normal.
+
+“I think he’s coming around all right,” said Hamsa, who had remained in
+the smoking compartment. “Looks to me like it might have been an attack
+of acute indigestion.”
+
+“Perhaps,” agreed Bob, but for his own satisfaction he would have
+preferred to have a doctor examine Tully. He stepped outside into the
+corridor to speak to the Pullman conductor.
+
+“Do you know if there is a doctor on the train?” he asked.
+
+“I don’t believe so. We’re running light today but I’ll find out; your
+friend any worse?”
+
+“No. He’s better, but I’d like to find out just what happened to him.”
+
+“I can wire ahead and have an ambulance meet us at the next division
+point,” suggested the conductor.
+
+“I don’t believe that will be necessary,” replied Bob. “We’re anxious to
+get to Jacksonville on this train. However, I wish you would ascertain if
+there is a doctor aboard.”
+
+As the trainman hurried away, Bob stepped back into the smoking
+compartment. There was something definitely puzzling and disturbing about
+the sudden illness which had overtaken Tully, for the latter was usually
+in the best of health.
+
+Bob thought back over the days of their association in the archives
+division of the War Department, trying to remember if Tully had ever been
+the subject of sudden fainting spells. As far as he could recall, nothing
+like this had occurred before, which did not make his mind rest any
+easier.
+
+Hamsa wandered out of the smoking compartment and Bob and Tully were
+alone. Half an hour slipped by and Tully remained in the deep sleep.
+
+The train had stopped once, a long halt for coal and water, and it was
+after it resumed motion that the Pullman conductor returned to the
+compartment.
+
+“I’ve been all over the train, even into the day coaches ahead, and there
+isn’t even a veterinarian aboard. Sure you don’t want us to wire for an
+ambulance to meet you? We’ll be in at the next division point in an hour
+and a half.”
+
+“I’ll let you know definitely a little later. If he doesn’t rouse from
+this sleep, it may be necessary to do just that.”
+
+“Anything more I can do?” asked the conductor, but Bob shook his head.
+
+“I’ll stay here and watch him. If I need any help, I’ll signal for the
+porter.”
+
+The curtains at the doorway swished down behind the departing figure of
+the conductor, leaving Bob and Tully alone once more.
+
+The afternoon was waning as the train sped southward, the steady clicking
+of the trucks underneath indicating that the Limited was doing at least a
+mile a minute. The roadbed was smooth and the high speed did not make the
+car ride uncomfortably.
+
+While Tully was asleep, Bob studied his companion’s face. Tully’s
+features were really remarkably strong and if he made an effort to look
+pleasant he would have been a handsome young man. But his lips were
+inclined to a perpetual downward curve that made it appear that a steady
+scowl was on his face.
+
+Bob would have enjoyed liking Tully, for there were many qualities in the
+other that were outstanding. For instance, Tully was sturdy and he had
+the power to drive steadily toward a goal once he set his ambition to
+that end. It was too bad that he let personal feelings creep into his
+work and sway his better judgment, such as challenging Bob to beat him to
+a solution of the jewel smuggling case.
+
+Bob was a better than average judge of character and he knew that Tully
+would worry so much about what he was doing that Tully’s own keen mind
+would be somewhat dulled on the case. For that reason Bob had not
+hesitated to take up the challenge.
+
+The Limited plunged into a short but heavy rain storm and drops of water
+streamed down the windows. It was not an especially auspicious beginning
+to their manhunt.
+
+Tully moved restlessly and Bob thought for a time that his companion was
+about to wake up, but Tully’s breathing deepened once more and his eyes
+remained closed.
+
+Joe Hamsa stuck his head into the compartment.
+
+“Any change?” he asked, and Bob thought he appeared a little too
+solicitous for a passing acquaintance.
+
+“I think he’s resting easier,” replied Bob.
+
+“Are you going to take him to a hospital?” asked Hamsa, pressing Bob for
+further information on his plans.
+
+“I haven’t decided yet.”
+
+“Let me know if there is anything I can do,” volunteered the other. It
+was apparent that he would have liked an invitation to stay in the room,
+but Bob turned toward the rain-washed windows and after a brief pause
+Hamsa dropped the curtain at the doorway and walked back into the
+Pullman.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter VII
+                        THE MAN ON THE PLATFORM
+                                   ★
+
+
+Tully remained in the deep sleep for another fifteen minutes. Then he
+stirred restlessly and Bob went over to his side. As he looked down Tully
+opened his eyes. They appeared clear and perfectly normal.
+
+Tully attempted to sit up, but Bob put his hands on his shoulders and
+gently pushed him back on the couch.
+
+“Take it easy for a while, Tully,” he said.
+
+“What happened?” the other demanded, and Bob noted that the words were
+slow and his speech thick.
+
+Then before he could answer, Tully grunted and made a face.
+
+“Get me some water, quick.”
+
+Bob hastened out into the corridor where he filled a paper cup to the
+brim. Tully drank every drop and signaled for another cup, which Bob
+procured immediately.
+
+When that was done, Tully appeared greatly refreshed.
+
+“Help me prop this pillow up so I can sit up a little,” he urged Bob, and
+he was soon in a more comfortable position.
+
+The rain still washed the windows of the car, and the porter, entering
+the compartment, turned on the top lights, for it was nearly dark.
+
+Before he spoke again Tully felt inside his coat and, reassured that the
+documents on the jewel smuggling case were there, he looked at Bob.
+
+“I don’t remember very much,” he said slowly, “but all of a sudden
+everything went dark. I felt that I was going to fall but I couldn’t
+move. I couldn’t even reach out my hands and neither could I say a word.”
+
+He paused and Bob felt that it would be well for him to explain what he
+had seen.
+
+“You looked like you were hypnotized,” he explained. “I came over and
+caught you, but you were out cold. Believe me, you had us worried for a
+while.”
+
+Just then the Pullman conductor looked in.
+
+“Made up your mind about calling an ambulance at the division point?” he
+asked. Then he saw Tully propped into a half-way sitting position and his
+face brightened.
+
+“Coming around now?”
+
+“He’s feeling better. We’ll go right on through to Jacksonville,” said
+Bob and the conductor went on about his duties.
+
+“Didn’t you think I’d come around?” asked Tully, a look of worry on his
+forehead.
+
+“We didn’t know just what was happening for a while,” explained Bob. “You
+had us pretty badly scared.”
+
+Tully looked thoughtful.
+
+“I honestly don’t know what took place,” he said, slowly shaking his
+head. “It seemed as though blackness simply exploded in my face. Actually
+I believe there was some kind of a shock or blow on my face.”
+
+“I don’t know what it could have been,” replied Bob. “Hamsa and I were
+the only ones with you and you had been visiting with Hamsa for some time
+before I came in.”
+
+“He’s a queer duck,” muttered Tully. “I don’t know whether I could like
+or trust him.”
+
+Bob had exactly the same feeling and he was interested to know Tully’s
+reaction to their traveling companion.
+
+“I’m still kind of sleepy. Guess I’ll take another nap. You might tell
+the porter to make up my berth.”
+
+“I’ll have him fix up lower five for you,” replied Bob. “I’ll take the
+upper for you probably won’t feel much like climbing in and out of a
+berth for the next few hours. Think you’ll want anything to eat tonight?”
+
+“Perhaps a little soup later,” nodded Tully as he closed his eyes.
+
+Bob remained in the compartment for several minutes until he was sure
+that Tully was in a deep and comfortable sleep. Then he returned to the
+main section of the Pullman.
+
+As he turned in the corridor and could look down the full length of the
+car he thought he caught just a glimpse of Hamsa dodging out the other
+end of the car.
+
+Only a few lights were on and Bob could not be sure that his eyes were
+not playing tricks on him. In any event he hastened his pace and when he
+reached the section which he and Tully occupied he drew his big Gladstone
+bag out from under one of the seats.
+
+Bob breathed easier when he saw the envelope which contained the
+confidential information on the smuggling was just where he had left it.
+It had been more than a little careless of him to leave such valuable
+data unprotected for so long a time.
+
+It was fully dark and Bob snapped on the individual lights in the berth
+and rang the buzzer for the porter, who appeared almost immediately.
+
+Bob instructed him to make up both the lower and upper berth.
+
+“I’m going ahead into the diner. Let me know when you’ve finished,” he
+said, “and also keep an eye on my friend in the smoking compartment. If
+he should wake up, inform me at once.”
+
+The rush to reach the train plus the exciting events of the afternoon had
+made Bob ravenously hungry and when he entered the dining car he splurged
+by ordering a large porterhouse steak and an extra order of French fried
+potatoes.
+
+The conductor had been right when he described travel on the Southern
+that night as light for there were only five others in the diner in
+addition to Bob. All of them were strangers, three of them being women
+and the other two rather elderly men who were engaged in an animated
+conversation on the economic problems of the day.
+
+Bob summoned the steward, explained that a companion was ill, and asked
+that a nourishing soup be prepared for him to take back to the Pullman
+when he returned.
+
+The steak, when it was brought in, was both thick and tender, and the
+potatoes were done just to the right crispness. It was a meal that Bob
+could thoroughly enjoy and he ate it in comparative leisure, relying on
+the Pullman porter to call him if Tully awakened.
+
+The train slowed to a smooth halt in a North Carolina mill town and Bob
+looked out on the well lighted station platform. The rain was descending
+in torrents now and Bob knew that it might be hard to keep the Limited on
+the fast schedule which its time card demanded.
+
+It was evidently a service stop for the train remained at the station for
+at least ten minutes. Bob, watching from the windows, could see anyone on
+the platform and he was startled to catch a glimpse of a man hurrying
+along beside the train. He had just a glimpse, but the man, short and
+rather bulky, was making what appeared to Bob to be an obvious effort to
+avoid attracting attention for he was hugging the side of the train. He
+was clad in a dark oilskin and a soft hat, pulled well down, shielded his
+face.
+
+Bob pressed his own face against the glass and peered along the platform.
+Up ahead a brightly illuminated sign marked the telegraph office, and Bob
+saw the man hurry inside, but the distance was too great for him to see
+the other’s face. In less than a minute the man reappeared, but he did
+not come back along the train.
+
+Then the Limited plunged southward again, beating its way into the teeth
+of the storm, and Bob wondered if Joe Hamsa could have been the man on
+the platform.
+
+Bob finished his meal and after paying his bill went back into car 43 to
+see how Tully was getting along. He found him awake and ready for
+something to eat.
+
+“Soup would taste good,” nodded Tully when Bob suggested it and the young
+federal agent returned to the diner at once. When he re-entered the car
+he saw Joe Hamsa seated at the far end of the diner and he was sure that
+he had not passed Hamsa either going or coming from car 43. That meant
+that Hamsa had been up ahead some place.
+
+Bob thought the diamond salesman made a deliberate effort to avoid his
+eyes by staring intently through the storm-bathed windows of the car. The
+soup was ready and Bob followed a waiter who carried it back to the
+Pullman.
+
+The train was traveling at a wild pace now and Bob almost lost his
+balance as he walked between the cars. As the anger of the storm
+deepened, he became more convinced than before that Joe Hamsa was the man
+he had seen on the station platform and there was something about the
+wildness of the night and Tully’s sudden illness that caused grave
+apprehension in Bob’s mind.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter VIII
+                         TULLY’S PAPERS VANISH
+                                   ★
+
+
+When Bob returned to the Pullman, Tully was obviously much refreshed from
+his deep sleep and he ate the soup with real relish. After he was through
+and the waiter had gone, Tully spoke to him.
+
+“I’ll appreciate it if you’ll give me a hand down to the berth,” he said.
+“My legs are still a little shaky, but I guess I’m all right otherwise. A
+good night’s sleep will put me back to normal.”
+
+Bob supported Tully and together they walked down to the berth which had
+been made up. Joe Hamsa was not in the car.
+
+“I still can’t figure out what happened to me,” said Tully, shaking his
+head.
+
+“You are sure I wasn’t struck over the head?” he looked at Bob so sharply
+that Bob was inclined to laugh.
+
+“Don’t accuse me of doing a thing like that,” he retorted, but there was
+no anger in his words.
+
+“But I tell you it felt like something struck my face. Then there was a
+blanket of darkness that settled over me and I couldn’t move or say a
+word. It was a mighty helpless sort of feeling.”
+
+Bob agreed that there had been nothing pleasant about the experience and
+he helped Tully in getting undressed. Tully drew the letter with its
+confidential report on the smuggling ring out of an inner pocket.
+
+“This goes under my pillow,” he said.
+
+“I thought it was kind of foolish for you to read it while Hamsa was in
+the smoking compartment with you,” said Bob, and a flicker of anger
+glowed in Tully’s eyes.
+
+“Hamsa’s all right,” he replied. “You take care of your copy and I’ll
+take care of mine.”
+
+With that Tully pulled out the flap of the envelope and drew forth the
+closely typewritten pages which comprised the report.
+
+Bob saw a sudden, startled change in Tully’s face, and he leaned closer.
+
+“Bob,” whispered the other. “Look at these pages. Am I seeing things?”
+
+Bob picked up the handful of data and scanned the typewritten words. Even
+before he read the printing on the page he knew that something was wrong
+for the paper was thicker than that upon which his report had been
+written.
+
+But the real shock was when he read the first page. It was a recipe for
+making dill pickles.
+
+“It’s a pickle recipe,” gasped Bob.
+
+Tully nodded grimly.
+
+“Look at the rest of them!”
+
+Bob skimmed through the pages, bending down to examine each one closely.
+Instead of the confidential data the pages were mimeographed recipes and
+Bob and Tully stared at each other in amazement.
+
+“My report’s been stolen!”
+
+It was Tully speaking and he sounded like a stricken man. Then he grasped
+Bob’s shoulders.
+
+“This isn’t a trick you’re playing on me?” he demanded.
+
+“Don’t be silly,” said Bob firmly. “That isn’t my idea of a joke. We’ve
+got to get busy now.”
+
+Bob pressed the buzzer for the porter, who put in an almost immediate
+appearance.
+
+“Get the Pullman conductor here at once,” he commanded.
+
+“Sorry, boss, but he’s eating supper up ahead.”
+
+“Get him,” retorted Bob, and the manner in which he gave the order sent
+the porter scurrying up the aisle.
+
+“How could this have happened?” asked Tully, and from the heaviness of
+his voice Bob knew that his companion had not fully thrown off the
+effects of the attack which had overcome him that afternoon.
+
+“The secret of this is somewhere on the Limited,” replied Bob. “Only
+three people, in addition to myself, were in the compartment with you.
+One was the Pullman conductor, the other was Hamsa, and the third was the
+porter. I think we can rule out the porter for he was in there only once
+or twice. There’s just a chance the conductor might have come back in
+while I was in the diner.”
+
+“What motive would he have in taking such a report?” Tully wanted to know
+and Bob confessed that there apparently was none.
+
+The conductor, evidently irritated at being called from his dinner,
+entered the car and hurried down to the section.
+
+“What’s the matter?” he asked crisply.
+
+Bob did not like the tone of his voice and he drew forth the little badge
+which identified him. The conductor’s eyes widened in astonishment and
+there was an instant change in his attitude. He looked toward Tully
+significantly.
+
+“Prisoner?” he asked.
+
+“No. He’s a federal agent like myself. Sometime after he was stricken
+this afternoon an envelope containing valuable information was taken from
+him and worthless papers substituted.”
+
+“You’re not suspecting me of this, are you?” asked the conductor and
+there was such pathetic anxiety in his voice that Bob felt that the man
+was innocent of any wrong doing.
+
+“I’m not suspecting or accusing anyone at present,” replied Bob. “I
+simply want to know if you saw anything unusual going on in this car at
+any time while I was in the diner and while my companion was asleep on
+the couch in the compartment ahead.”
+
+The conductor shook his head.
+
+“I was through the car twice,” he said, “and the only one here was the
+man who had lower nine. The first time he was in his seat and the second
+time he was near the rear vestibule. He had on a slicker and had the
+upper part of the door open.”
+
+“When was that?” The question shot eagerly from Bob’s lips.
+
+“Just before our last stop at Atkinson where we took on coal and water,”
+replied the conductor. “I didn’t notice him again until up in the diner a
+few minutes ago.”
+
+“The vestibule door was opened by someone while we were in Atkinson,” put
+in the porter.
+
+“Then lower nine’s passenger must have taken a walk. Fine night for a
+thing like that,” said the conductor. “Come to think of it, I did see his
+slicker on another chair in the diner.”
+
+There was no question now but that Joe Hamsa had been the man Bob had
+seen on the station platform, and the suspicious feeling Bob had held
+toward him from the beginning was strengthened.
+
+“I’m going forward to talk with Hamsa,” he told Tully, and he started
+ahead through the train as fast as he could walk.
+
+When he reached the diner the steward was turning down the lights.
+
+“I’m looking for a dark, heavy-set fellow who was wearing a black
+slicker,” said Bob. “He belongs in car 43.”
+
+“He left not more than two or three minutes ago,” replied the steward.
+“You should have met him, for he started back into the Pullmans.”
+
+Bob shook his head.
+
+“I just came from car 43 and he couldn’t have passed me.”
+
+“He might have turned around and gone up into the coaches,” said the
+steward. “I’ve been busy in the kitchen checking with the chef. You might
+look up ahead.”
+
+Bob went up into the day coaches and found the train conductor in the
+forward car. There were three day coaches on the train and the conductor
+was busy making out his reports.
+
+The young federal agent wasted no time in identifying himself.
+
+“There’s a man aboard I want to question,” he explained. “He was in the
+diner a few minutes ago and after finishing his meal started back for the
+Pullmans. He belongs in lower nine of car 43, but I’m sure he didn’t
+reach there. Get your brakeman out and search this train.”
+
+The small gold badge Bob displayed worked magic with the trainman and he
+summoned his brakeman. Bob gave them a brief description of Hamsa and
+they started back through the train.
+
+Every vestibule and every compartment was checked as the three worked
+methodically. They even looked into the kitchen on the dining car while
+the chef, a jolly negro, grinned at them.
+
+Back in car 43 they found the Pullman conductor standing watch beside
+Tully.
+
+“There’s no sign of Hamsa up ahead,” said Bob. “He didn’t come this way?”
+
+“No one’s been through this car,” replied the Pullman official firmly.
+
+Bob shook his head.
+
+“A man can’t vanish on a train and we’ve been running too fast for him to
+jump off. That would have been sheer suicide.”
+
+There were two more Pullmans and an observation lounge car behind car 43
+and with the trainmen at his heels, Bob resumed the search.
+
+The next two cars were practically deserted and even in the observation
+lounge there were only five passengers in addition to the porter. They
+looked up with evident interest at the wholesale invasion of the trainmen
+and the grim intentness of the expression on Bob’s face.
+
+But the observation car failed to yield any sign of Hamsa and Bob stepped
+out on the rain-lashed platform. The Limited whistled sharply and seconds
+later rumbled through a small village. Then the train was rushing through
+the desolate night once more.
+
+The young federal agent turned and re-entered the car and the feeling of
+unrest which had gripped him ever since meeting Joe Hamsa deepened. There
+was something about the diamond salesman that sent shivers up and down
+Bob’s spine.
+
+“That fellow’s got to be on the train some place for we haven’t even
+slowed up since we left Atkinson,” said the train conductor. “We’d better
+look again.”
+
+They started forward, once more examining every compartment aboard the
+train, and this time they even went into the baggage car, but the
+baggageman insisted that no one had been through his car.
+
+Back in the first day coach they stopped to take council.
+
+“I’m afraid he’s fallen off the train in some manner,” said the train
+conductor. “We’re stopping in ten minutes at a junction and I’ll send a
+wire back to division headquarters. They’ll warn all trains over the road
+to watch for him.”
+
+Bob, however, doubted that Hamsa had fallen from the train for he felt
+that the diamond salesman was far too clever and cautious to be the
+victim of such an accident.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter IX
+                           BOB GETS A WARNING
+                                   ★
+
+
+The young federal agent returned to car 43 and related in detail to Tully
+the result of the search of the train.
+
+“It doesn’t seem possible that Hamsa could be on the train, yet I am sure
+that he did not fall off,” concluded Bob.
+
+“I’ve the same feeling,” said Tully. “You’re sure you didn’t miss any
+place?”
+
+“We looked in every closet and compartment aboard the Limited,” insisted
+Bob. “We’d have found even a fly if one had been aboard.”
+
+Tully was visibly downcast for he felt the loss of his confidential
+instructions keenly.
+
+“Hamsa is the only one who could have taken them,” he said, half to
+himself.
+
+Bob felt like telling Tully that he should have known better than to have
+opened and read them in the presence of anyone else, but he checked the
+impulse, and was glad that he had had the foresight to protect his own
+papers by placing them in his Gladstone bag.
+
+The train slowed to a stop at a lonely junction and Bob went to the
+vestibule where the porter opened the upper half of the door for him.
+
+The federal agent, peering ahead through the rain, saw the train
+conductor make a dash for the station where a night operator was on duty.
+The conductor ran back to the train just before the engineer “whistled
+in” the flagman and Bob knew that already a message was humming over the
+wires telling of the disappearance of Joe Hamsa, the diamond salesman.
+
+The porter closed the upper half of the door and Bob returned to the
+Pullman. The lights had been turned low and he looked in at Tully, who
+was dozing.
+
+Bob was too wide awake to think of sleep just then, and he went ahead to
+the smoking compartment, where the porter had left an evening paper.
+
+Bob picked up the paper and scanned the headlines on the first page, but
+there was nothing recorded in the news there that drew his attention and
+he turned to the sports page, where football dope stories could be found
+plentifully, for Bob liked nothing better in the sports world than a good
+football game.
+
+The train conductor came in and sat down.
+
+“It’s a bad night,” he said, looking at the curtain of rain which swept
+the windows. “We’ll be late getting into Jacksonville. A message at the
+junction back there gave us a lot of slow orders where the track is going
+bad ahead of us.”
+
+“The rain must be worse farther south,” said Bob.
+
+“It’s nearly a cloudburst in some places. I wouldn’t be surprised if we
+find a bridge washed out and get hung up for hours.”
+
+The conductor was silent for a minute. Then he added, “I can’t figure out
+where that fellow in lower nine went. Seems impossible that he could have
+fallen off the train, yet he isn’t here.”
+
+“I’m just as puzzled as you are,” admitted Bob, “but I have a feeling
+that no harm has come to him. I sized him up as a fellow pretty well able
+to take care of himself.”
+
+“I don’t recall seeing him,” said the train conductor, “for the Pullman
+conductor handles this end of the Limited. Well, I’ve more reports to get
+ready.”
+
+He got to his feet and started for the door. The Limited lurched heavily
+and the conductor was thrown back against Bob.
+
+“There we go!” he cried. “The track’s gone out from under us.”
+
+The car was weaving and lurching as the wheels screamed in the grip of
+powerful air brakes, but the rhythmic clack of the trucks told them they
+were still on the rails.
+
+The conductor hoisted himself to his feet and Bob followed him in a dash
+for the vestibule.
+
+“That blamed engineer almost shook us to pieces,” groaned the conductor
+as he threw open the top half of the vestibule door and peered out.
+
+Bob, looking over his shoulder, could see a red glare that penetrated
+even the brilliance of the locomotive’s headlight.
+
+“Someone’s swinging a fuse against us,” said the conductor, buttoning up
+his slicker. “I’m going ahead.”
+
+Bob ran back into the Pullman and got his own coat. Tully, who was awake
+now, wanted to know what it was all about.
+
+“An emergency stop of some kind,” said Bob. “I’ll be back soon.”
+
+By the time he was back in the vestibule the Limited was grinding to a
+stop and Bob swung down behind the conductor, the two running ahead
+alongside the train as rapidly as they could in the darkness.
+
+The Southern had been flagged at a lonely way station where it seldom if
+ever made a stop, and the engineer, who was leaning from his cab, bawled
+lustily at them.
+
+“Find out what that hick agent means by flagging us down,” he shouted.
+“We’ve got to get rolling again. We’re 23 minutes late.”
+
+The agent, the red fuse still in his hands, came toward them and Bob
+caught a glimpse of a telegram in one hand.
+
+“What’s the idea of flagging us down?” demanded the conductor. “I’m going
+to report you if you haven’t a mighty good reason.”
+
+The agent’s retort was sharp.
+
+“Oh, quit your howling. I waved a fuse at you because I had orders from
+the super to stop this train and deliver a message to one of your
+passengers.”
+
+“What’s that?” bellowed the conductor. “You had the nerve to stop the
+Southern just to deliver a telegram?”
+
+The agent shrugged. “You heard me. Now I’ve got to find this passenger
+and deliver the message.”
+
+“Give it to me. I’ll deliver it.” The conductor reached for the telegram,
+but the agent backed away.
+
+“Oh, no you don’t. I’m going to deliver this in person and get the
+signature of the man I deliver it to.”
+
+“Hurry up there!” It was the engineer, shouting at them above the noise
+of the storm and the air pumps on the locomotive.
+
+“Who’s the telegram for?” asked the conductor.
+
+“Bob Houston in lower five, car 43,” replied the agent. “Let’s get
+going.”
+
+“That’s all right, I’ll sign for the telegram,” said Bob. “My name is
+Houston and I’m in lower five, car 43.”
+
+The agent looked suspiciously at him as though he had not expected anyone
+as youthful looking as Bob.
+
+“I’ve got instructions to see a certain badge before I turn over this
+message,” he said.
+
+Bob reached into his inner coat pocket, drew forth his billfold, and
+produced the badge.
+
+“That’s right,” nodded the agent. “Sign this slip.”
+
+He produced a pencil and Bob, writing in the light from the headlight,
+signed his name.
+
+“Thanks,” said the agent. Then he turned to the conductor. “All right.
+Now you can tell that hoghead up there to pick up his wheels and get the
+string of varnished gondolas out of here. I want to go to sleep.”
+
+The conductor snorted, but he was too anxious to get back to his train to
+make a reply.
+
+The vestibule of the forward coach had been opened by the brakeman. They
+climbed aboard and the engineer whistled off the moment they were on the
+train.
+
+Bob looked at the damp envelope in his hands and suddenly he felt himself
+shaking slightly. For some reason the Southern Limited had been stopped
+at a lonely railroad outpost to deliver this message to him. That it was
+important there could be no doubt for he had been forced to identify
+himself before he could obtain the message.
+
+The coach was less than half full and Bob dropped down in the nearest
+seat and ripped open the telegram, looking first at the signature. It was
+from Waldo Edgar, chief of the division of investigation.
+
+Bob read the message quickly and thoroughly:
+
+“This is to warn you that a man known as Joe Hamsa, traveling south with
+you on Limited, is now believed linked with gang we want. Watch Hamsa
+closely and take no chances with him as his record is a ruthless one. In
+view of this, contact Merritt Hughes and Condon Adams when you reach
+Jacksonville.”
+
+Bob read the telegram again, folded it carefully and placed it in an
+inside pocket with the feeling that even though Joe Hamsa had disappeared
+from the train, they would meet and that their meeting would not be far
+in the future.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter X
+                               IN CAR 43
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob walked back through the Southern Limited with many things running
+through his mind. His suspicions concerning Joe Hamsa had been confirmed
+by the telegram in his pocket.
+
+The rôle of diamond salesman was an ideal one for Hamsa to assume. In
+that capacity he would be able to go around the country selling the
+smuggled diamonds and if he appeared to be working for a legitimate firm
+of wholesale diamond merchants there was little doubt that he would go
+unmolested by the federal agents.
+
+Bob wondered just how the department had obtained the information on
+Hamsa which had led to the telegram to him. Perhaps his uncle would be
+able to enlighten him when he arrived in Jacksonville the next morning.
+
+The young federal agent entered car 43 and stopped at lower five. He
+parted the curtains and looked down at Tully, who was sound asleep. Tully
+was breathing so deeply that Bob hesitated to awaken him and tell him
+about the message. If Tully was still asleep when Bob went to bed, there
+would still be time to awaken him.
+
+Bob went on back to lower nine, which Hamsa was to have occupied. There
+was nothing on the seats, but Bob caught a glimpse of a bag sticking from
+under the forward seat and he leaned down and pulled a small bag out.
+
+The case was of well worn brown leather securely fastened with two small
+but sturdy padlocks. There was something soft inside, but the leather was
+too thick for his fingers to ascertain just what the contents might be.
+
+The porter came through the car and stopped.
+
+“Haven’t seen anything more of the man in lower nine?” asked Bob.
+
+The Pullman employe shook his gray head.
+
+“No sir, and I don’t know whether to make up his berth.”
+
+“You might as well save yourself work. I don’t believe I’d make it up,”
+advised Bob, and the porter, deciding to accept the counsel, went on up
+the aisle.
+
+Bob walked back to the observation and lounge car. There was only one
+passenger who had not retired to his berth in the forward Pullmans. He
+was an elderly man, thin, but with an expression on his face which gave
+one a feeling of tremendous vitality. He was deeply engrossed in reading
+and Bob picked up a newspaper which had been brought aboard the train at
+one of the Carolina towns.
+
+But he found reading a difficult task. His mind was centered on the
+disappearance of Hamsa. It seemed absolutely incredible that a man could
+have vanished from a fast train while it was speeding through the night
+between stations. Yet apparently that was just what had taken place.
+
+Bob knew there was an answer to the problem, and it was probably
+something ridiculously simple, but it evaded his every mental effort and
+he finally turned to the comic page of the newspaper for a chuckle or two
+at the antics of the comic characters.
+
+The other passenger in the car put down the magazine he had been reading
+and went forward to his berth in another car. Bob was alone in the
+observation lounge without even a trainman in the car.
+
+From up ahead the dismal hoot of the locomotive whistle drifted back and
+seconds later the car lurched as the trucks crashed over the frogs of a
+siding and the dimmed lights of a village drifted by in the storm. Then
+the train was in the heart of the desolate night once more.
+
+After the events of the afternoon, with Tully’s sudden collapse and the
+disappearance of Hamsa, it was not a scene to inspire confidence in the
+heart of any young federal agent and Bob felt a queer chill running up
+and down his spine. Once or twice before, when sudden danger impended, he
+had had the same feeling.
+
+Some premonition caused Bob to turn quickly toward the forward end of the
+observation car and his eyes riveted on a hand, extended around the edge
+of the corridor, which was groping for the switches controlling the
+lights inside the car.
+
+Bob was motionless, but for only a second. Then he leaped forward, his
+powerful legs driving him ahead as the groping hand finally found the
+switch and he saw the fingers tense as they started to move the lever
+downward which would plunge the car into darkness.
+
+A blanket of darkness engulfed the interior of the observation car and
+Bob heard the faint click of the switch. His body was hurtling forward
+with a momentum impossible to stop and he crashed almost headlong into
+the steel partition at the end of the car.
+
+Bob was dazed by the shock of the impact and he dropped to the floor, too
+bruised to move for a moment.
+
+Then a finger of light sought him out. The tiny ray was almost blinding
+in its brilliance and the beam swept Bob’s face as he struggled to get
+up. He was on his knees and facing the mysterious beam when there was a
+sharp blow on his face. The impact was not hard, but there was no
+mistaking that he had been struck.
+
+A sudden nausea swept Bob and he felt his power of control ebbing
+rapidly. He tried to cry out, but his tongue seemed to swell and stick in
+his mouth. His arms dropped at his sides and he felt his knees wobbling.
+In spite of everything he could do he collapsed on the floor of the
+observation car.
+
+The last thing Bob remembered was the thin beam of light which still
+sought him out with relentless steadiness and then a mocking laugh, heavy
+and daring, that might easily have come from the lips of Joe Hamsa had he
+been on the Southern Limited.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter XI
+                             DOUBLE DANGER
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob never knew just how long he was unconscious, but it must have been at
+least half an hour before his mind started to clear and he felt some one
+shaking his shoulders.
+
+His head pounded painfully and it was difficult for him to lift his
+heavy-lidded eyes. Some one moistened his lips and his tongue felt
+better. He tried to talk, but some one cut him short.
+
+“He’s coming around now. Lift him into a chair.”
+
+The command was obeyed and Bob felt himself being carried into a chair.
+Faintly he heard the steady clack of train trucks and he knew that he was
+still on the Southern Limited.
+
+When his eyes finally focused and his blurred vision cleared he saw the
+train conductor leaning over him. A Pullman porter was just behind and in
+the background another trainman could be seen.
+
+“What happened?” It was the voice of the train conductor.
+
+Bob shook his head. He was still too weak to answer that question, but
+his eyes shot toward the end of the car as though he half expected to see
+a hand move around the corner and grope for the light switch. In his ears
+the mocking laugh he had heard still echoed.
+
+“Where are we?” asked the young federal agent, and when the conductor
+answered Bob knew that the Limited was far behind its usual fast schedule
+into the southland.
+
+Bob looked sharply at the trainmen.
+
+“Have you seen anything of the man in lower nine in the last hour?” The
+question was sharp and he saw the look of surprise that passed over their
+faces.
+
+Denials were quick and emphatic. Quite definitely they had not seen Joe
+Hamsa on the Limited.
+
+Bob shook his head. That was strange for he was sure that it was Hamsa’s
+voice he had heard in the car just before he lost consciousness.
+
+“Tell us what happened,” urged the train conductor, who was more than a
+little disturbed at the misfortunes which were befalling the passengers
+on the Limited that night. One federal agent had been taken suddenly ill,
+another passenger had disappeared, the train had been flagged down at a
+lonely station for a telegram, and now the second federal agent had been
+found unconscious in the observation car. It was, admitted the trainman,
+too much for him to untangle.
+
+Bob felt more like talking now, and he told his story briefly.
+
+“I turned toward the forward end of the car just in time to see some
+one’s hand groping around the corner for the light switch. I jumped for
+the switch, but the lights were snapped out before I could reach it.”
+
+Bob paused for a moment, then went on.
+
+“I crashed into the steel partition at the end of the lounge section of
+the car and fell down. Before I could get to my feet whoever had turned
+off the lights snapped on a small but very brilliant flash light and
+focused it on my eyes. Before I could get to my feet there was a sharp
+impact on my face. It was just as though some one had struck me a sharp
+blow. After that a wave of nausea swept over me and that was the last
+thing I remember until a few minutes ago.”
+
+The conductor’s worry was reflected on his frank face.
+
+“The flagman, coming back from the head end, found the car in darkness
+and when he turned on the lights he almost fell over you. I was pretty
+worried, but the porter told me that you acted like your friend this
+afternoon and I knew he was coming around all right so it wasn’t as bad
+as it might have been.”
+
+“Just before I lost consciousness,” went on Bob, “I heard some one laugh
+and I would have sworn it was the voice of Hamsa, the man who has
+disappeared from lower nine.”
+
+“Couldn’t have been,” declared the conductor. “I’ve been all over the
+train and know he isn’t aboard.”
+
+“Then who could have turned off the lights in this car?” demanded Bob and
+the conductor shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment.
+
+“I’ll be glad when we’re at the end of the division,” he said. “This
+thing is getting my nerves. Next thing I’ll be seeing ghosts. You fellows
+must have eaten some tainted food.”
+
+“No, that’s out. Neither my companion nor I had a meal together before we
+got on this train this afternoon and he was taken ill before the evening
+meal was served in the diner.”
+
+“That’s right,” agreed the conductor. “Well, you puzzle it out. I guess
+that’s your profession.”
+
+Bob got to his feet. His legs were still a little shaky and the porter
+hurried away for more coffee. When it was brought Bob drank two more cups
+of the hot liquid, then he walked up and down the car several times.
+
+“If you can rustle up a sandwich out of the diner, I’ll feel better when
+I get some more food in my stomach,” said Bob, and the porter went out to
+fill his request.
+
+The conductor turned to the flagman.
+
+“Don’t leave this car again, except when you have to get off to protect
+the back end at flag stops,” he ordered. “I don’t want any more
+mysterious attacks on this train while I’m in charge of it.”
+
+Then he looked at Bob, who was still white around the lips.
+
+“Better get to bed and enjoy a few hours sleep, young man. You’re
+starting to look like a fish that’s been out of water too long.”
+
+“I’m coming along all right,” declared Bob. “As soon as I have a sandwich
+I’ll feel better. I’m convinced that Hamsa is on this train some place
+and I’m going to find him.”
+
+The conductor stared at Bob as though he thought the young federal agent
+was mentally unbalanced. Then, shaking his head and muttering to himself,
+he started forward to continue his greatly interrupted work on his
+reports.
+
+The porter came back with a tray on which were two large, thick, meat
+sandwiches and a glass of milk and Bob sat down in the observation car to
+enjoy the late lunch.
+
+The flagman, at the back end of the car, was inclined to be more
+talkative than the conductor.
+
+“Everyone on the train’s shaky tonight,” he confided. “We got a message
+we picked up on the run a few minutes ago and a fast freight that’s been
+coming along right after us wasn’t able to find any trace of Hamsa along
+the stretch of road where we know he disappeared.”
+
+“How fast were we running along that section?” asked Bob.
+
+“Never under fifty, and most of the time between fifty-five and
+sixty-five.”
+
+“Then a man wouldn’t have much chance of jumping from the train without
+such serious injury that he would be unable to get away?” pressed Bob.
+
+“I should say he wouldn’t. At the very least he would get a broken leg
+and he wouldn’t be able to get far from the right-of-way in that
+condition. And remember that it’s been storming hard ever since yesterday
+afternoon.”
+
+Bob knew that the trainman was right. It would have been almost sure
+suicide to have leaped from the speeding Limited and he was more
+convinced than ever that Hamsa was somewhere aboard the train.
+
+“We’ve been over every car from head to rear and back again,” said Bob.
+“Have you any idea where he could hide?”
+
+The flagman removed his cap and scratched his head.
+
+“He didn’t go through the baggage car?” he asked.
+
+“No,” replied Bob.
+
+“How about under the steps in the vestibules? Did you lift all of the
+traps?”
+
+Bob’s startled expression was sufficient answer to the flagman, who got
+hastily to his feet.
+
+“No, we didn’t look under the traps,” admitted Bob.
+
+“Then we’d better get busy. We can do it alone, working ahead through
+each car.”
+
+The flagman started for the back end of the train, evidently intent on
+checking the trap doors on the observation platform when a sharp call
+from Bob stopped him.
+
+“Hamsa isn’t going to be an easy man to take if he’s hiding under one of
+the traps. Wait until I can go forward and get a gun out of my bag.”
+
+“I’ll wait,” agreed the flagman, who obviously had not thought that they
+might encounter armed resistance.
+
+Bob, running lightly, sped through the two forward Pullmans and into car
+forty-three. His own Gladstone was still under the berth in which Tully
+was sleeping so heavily.
+
+The young federal agent bent down and dragged it out. He knew just where
+he had put the gun and his hands sought it after he had opened the bag.
+But the weapon was not where Bob had placed it and a new feeling of
+anxiety gripped him.
+
+With desperate hands he rummaged through the bag. The gun and box of
+cartridges he had placed there were gone!
+
+Bob picked up the big bag and carried it to a berth further down the
+aisle where he snapped on the seat lights. Once more his hands ran
+through the clothing which filled the bag.
+
+The revolver was gone, but the rifle he was taking south with him was
+intact, although the ammunition for it was missing. Some one had looted
+the bag and in doing so had left Bob defenseless against any armed
+attack.
+
+The discovery that his own bag had been searched so disturbed Bob that
+for a moment he forgot the important confidential papers on the smuggling
+case which he had placed there.
+
+When he recalled them, he started another search of the bag, turning
+clothes topsy-turvy in his search for the envelope and the precious
+information which it contained.
+
+Bob searched both sides of the Gladstone with a heart that grew heavier
+with apprehension as each second passed. There was no question now—his
+own confidential papers had been stolen.
+
+His hands went to the inner coat pocket where he had tucked the telegram
+warning them against Hamsa. When he drew them out his hands were empty.
+Even that message had disappeared and Bob knew then, without question,
+that Hamsa was somewhere on the train.
+
+With the telegram from Washington in his possession and the knowledge
+that the federal agents were closing in on him, Hamsa would be doubly
+dangerous and Bob was unarmed.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XII
+                             A NEW MYSTERY
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob sat in the berth for a time, thinking what to do next. He was certain
+that Hamsa was on the train and he knew that the other was capably armed,
+for he had Bob’s own revolver and there was no question but that he would
+use the weapon if his hand was forced too far.
+
+Bob got up and walked back to lower five where Tully was in a deep sleep.
+His traveling companion’s bag was in the rack above his berth and Bob
+reached in and pulled it out into the aisle, letting the heavy curtains
+fall back into place.
+
+He went through the bag methodically, for Tully’s gun should have been
+there. Bob searched every article in the bag twice, but the hunt was
+fruitless. There was no weapon there. Hamsa had done a thorough job of
+disarming the federal agents.
+
+Bob replaced Tully’s bag and then returned to the observation car where
+the flagman was waiting for him. He spread his empty hands in an
+expressive gesture.
+
+“Some one’s been through my bag and my gun’s gone,” said Bob. “Whoever it
+was also went through the other agent’s bag for he’s been disarmed.”
+
+The flagman’s eyes narrowed.
+
+“I’m not so keen about going on with this search unless we’re armed,” he
+declared.
+
+“Any guns of any kind on the train?”
+
+“The baggage man up ahead has one, but I don’t suppose he would loan it
+to anyone.”
+
+“There’s no harm in trying,” decided Bob, and he started forward through
+the train once more.
+
+The conductor was in the last coach forward and Bob quickly explained
+what had happened. The trainman went ahead and tapped on the door of the
+baggage car.
+
+It was opened cautiously and the baggage man stuck his head out.
+
+“What do you want?” he demanded gruffly.
+
+“Let us in,” cried the conductor and they stepped into the baggage car as
+a curtain of rain swept down off the roof of the train.
+
+Bob displayed his badge and then told what he needed.
+
+“I can’t let you have my service gun,” replied the baggage man, “but I’ve
+got a .22 target pistol I always carry along in my bag. You can have that
+if it will do you any good.”
+
+“It’s pretty light. But it will be better than nothing,” decided Bob as
+the baggage man obtained the weapon and handed it to him.
+
+“The only clip of cartridges I have for it are in the gun,” he explained,
+“so be careful on the ammunition if you get in a tight place.”
+
+Bob and the conductor returned to the forward coach.
+
+“Which end of the train are you going to start from?” asked the
+conductor.
+
+“We’ll go back to the observation car and work forward,” said Bob. “The
+flagman is back there waiting for me.”
+
+“I’ll go with you. I want him to stay on the back end and protect us if
+we have to make a sudden stop. The track is getting soft and there’s a
+fast freight that’s pounding along after us too close for comfort. I
+don’t want them piling into the back end of the Limited on a night like
+this.”
+
+It was late as they started back once more and most of the passengers in
+the day coaches, curled into grotesque attitudes on the seats, were
+asleep. In the Pullmans the solid rows of green curtains swung to and fro
+as the train sped southward.
+
+Bob thought of the possibility that Joe Hamsa might be hiding in one of
+the unoccupied berths, but he knew that the train crew had made a
+thorough search of each berth.
+
+Standing a lonely vigil in the observation car had done little to help
+the jumpy nerves of the flagman and he was obviously relieved when he
+found that the conductor had decided to help Bob in the search of the
+vestibule steps.
+
+“Better turn down the lights in this car,” advised the conductor. “All of
+the passengers on the Pullmans are in bed.”
+
+“Nothing doing,” insisted the flagman. “This is one night when I want
+plenty of light in this car and I’d just as soon have plenty of company
+of the right kind. I thought I heard some one moving around several
+times.”
+
+“You’ve been reading too many mystery stories,” jeered the conductor.
+
+Bob led the way to the rear platform of the train and they stepped out
+into the raw bluster of the night.
+
+The young federal agent took the target pistol out of his coat pocket and
+slipped the catch off the safety while the conductor focused the beam
+from his flash light on one of the traps in the floor of the vestibule.
+
+The flagman, his foot poised to kick the catch, saw Bob nod and the next
+second the trap door swung upward as unseen springs provided the
+momentum. They stared down at the empty steps and the rays of the flash
+light, penetrating even beyond, showed the ends of the ties as they
+projected beyond the rain-swept ballast.
+
+Down went the trap door and the flagman turned to the other side of the
+platform. Bob felt his heart beating harder. Actually he hardly knew what
+he would do if the trap, flying upward, were to reveal the hunched figure
+of Joe Hamsa.
+
+The flagman kicked the release lever and the door sprung upward. Once
+more they stared at vacant steps and an endless row of marching ties.
+
+They returned to the observation car.
+
+“Hope you have a nice party,” grinned the flagman as Bob and the
+conductor started forward to continue the search of the vestibule steps.
+
+“Seems like kind of a foolish thing to do,” grumbled the conductor.
+
+“That may be, but I’m convinced that Hamsa is still aboard this train and
+the vestibule steps are the last place I can think of,” retorted Bob.
+
+Four more traps were opened without success and they walked through
+another Pullman. Finally they came to car 43, where Tully was sleeping
+soundly. Their search at one end of the car was without result and they
+walked down to lower five.
+
+One curtain in the berth seemed to be caught and pulled back inward. It
+was this which attracted Bob’s attention and made him pause. He leaned
+over to adjust the curtain and just then the train lurched sharply and he
+was thrown into the berth.
+
+Bob attempted to brace himself and keep from falling on the sleeping
+Tully, but his efforts were without avail and he dropped rather heavily
+into the berth.
+
+Bob expected Tully to cry out, but there was no answer from the other
+young federal agent and Bob, struggling to his feet, parted the curtains
+and with the conductor peering over his shoulder, looked in.
+
+The bedding had been thrown carelessly to the back of the berth and Tully
+was missing!
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XIII
+                                GOING ON
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob turned and stared at the conductor with unbelieving eyes.
+
+“He’s gone!” said Bob mechanically.
+
+But it couldn’t be possible for only a few minutes before he had looked
+in at Tully when he had examined the contents of his bag in the search
+for a weapon. Tully had been sleeping deeply but peacefully then.
+
+“Maybe he walked up ahead to get a drink,” suggested the conductor. But
+there was little actual hope in his voice that this had happened.
+
+“Get ahead and see if he’s there,” ordered Bob and the conductor hurried
+away.
+
+Bob threw back the curtains in the berth and looked for some evidence of
+a struggle for he was convinced in his own mind that Tully had never left
+the berth of his own free will. For one thing Tully had been too ill to
+get up and do any walking on the train.
+
+The conductor returned promptly. There was no sign of Tully in the head
+end of the Pullman.
+
+Bob rummaged through the sheets and blankets on the bed and his hands
+suddenly came on something firm. He drew the object out of the bedding
+and gazed at it under the rays of the berth light which he had turned on.
+It was a leather covered blackjack.
+
+“This spells trouble in capital letters,” said Bob as he drew out a clean
+handkerchief and turned the blackjack over. “Some one slugged Tully and
+then carried him out of his berth. This train is haunted.”
+
+“I’m beginning to believe so myself,” agreed the conductor. “Who could
+have carried him away?”
+
+“There’s only one answer to that—Hamsa,” asserted Bob. “What I want to
+know is what happened to Tully?”
+
+The conductor shook his head in glum perplexity. Events were happening
+too swiftly for him to comprehend. First valuable papers had been stolen,
+then a gun, and a federal agent had disappeared from his berth. The
+trainman would welcome the end of the division and his run.
+
+The brakeman, coming back from the head end on his rounds, stopped in the
+Pullman.
+
+“One of you fellows leave the vestibule door up ahead open?” he asked.
+
+“No,” replied Bob sharply.
+
+“Well, some one did. I closed it when I came along.”
+
+A look of apprehension flitted across Bob’s face.
+
+“Which vestibule was open?” he demanded.
+
+“Left hand one on the car just ahead,” replied the brakeman.
+
+Without further questioning, Bob dashed ahead, a mounting fear tugging at
+his heart.
+
+The conductor and brakeman followed him through the car and out into the
+vestibule where the steady clacking of the trucks beneath the Pullmans
+filled the air.
+
+Bob stepped across the gap into the car ahead. There was a splotch of
+water on the steel floor of the vestibule where the wind had lashed the
+rain in while the door was open.
+
+“This the door that was open?” asked Bob.
+
+“Right. I closed it less than a minute ago,” replied the brakeman.
+
+Bob dropped down to his knees and examined the floor of the vestibule. At
+first there appeared to be nothing unusual there, but his sharp eyes
+finally caught sight of a small, dark spot. It was soft and fresh and he
+touched it with his fingers.
+
+Bob drew his hand back where the light was better and examined the dark
+marks on the tips of his fingers. From behind came an involuntary gasp
+from the brakeman.
+
+The dark spots on Bob’s fingers were blood and the young federal agent
+looked up at the trainmen with eyes that were hard and piercing.
+
+“Stop this train!” he ordered. “Tully Ross has been thrown from the
+train. We’ve got to go back.”
+
+The conductor was silent for a moment, staring at the dark stains on
+Bob’s fingers. Then he shook his head.
+
+“We can’t stop and go back. There’s a fast freight following right behind
+us and they might ram us. We’ll have to run to the nearest station with a
+night operator. Then we can get word back to division headquarters.”
+
+“But we’ve got to stop. He may be seriously injured.”
+
+The conductor looked at his watch. Just then the air brakes went on and
+streams of sparks flew from the wet trucks underneath.
+
+“We’re slowing down now for Robertson where we take on water. There’s a
+night operator there. We can send a message back and get new orders.”
+
+The brakeman threw open the vestibule door on the right side and almost
+before the train came to a stop Bob and the conductor were running
+forward.
+
+When they reached the small station Bob dictated the message and the
+conductor told the operator to rush it through.
+
+“That freight’s only ten miles up the line. It’s at Quasqueton now. Maybe
+we can catch it,” said the operator.
+
+Bob nodded and the operator pounded his key hard with a desperate call
+for the night man at Quasqueton. It seemed ages before there was an
+answer. Actually the Quesqueton operator answered in less than a minute.
+
+“Hold the freight,” snapped back the operator beside Bob, and just then
+the dispatcher at division headquarters chimed in and wanted to know what
+it was all about.
+
+The story was snapped over the wires as the bent fingers of the operator
+at Robertson tapped out the facts. The answer from the dispatcher came
+sharply, first a message to the freight.
+
+“To enginemen and trainmen of extra X703 South. Use all precautions in
+moving from Quasqueton to Robertson to find federal agent believed thrown
+from Southern Limited. Report immediately upon arrival at Robertson.”
+
+That message was followed by one to the Limited to proceed. The night
+operator copied this quickly and handed the thin tissues to the
+conductor, who was buttoning up his coat before going back into the
+desolation of that wild night.
+
+“Going on with us, or will you stay here and wait for the freight to come
+through and report?”
+
+Bob hesitated. If he remained at the lonely station he would have first
+hand information if Tully was found by the freight crew. On the other
+hand, he was convinced that Joe Hamsa was still aboard the Southern
+Limited and that he had on his person the confidential documents on the
+smuggling ring which had been stolen from Tully and Bob.
+
+The decision was made quickly.
+
+“I’m going on the Limited. What’s our next stop?”
+
+The conductor named a junction thirty miles down the line.
+
+“Will the freight be in here by the time we reach the junction?” Bob
+asked the night operator.
+
+“It will at the rate the Limited is running tonight,” replied the
+operator. “Quasqueton is reporting the freight out right now.”
+
+“Let’s go,” called the conductor.
+
+The trainman hurried outside and Bob banged the door after him. The
+federal agent went back to the Pullmans while the conductor ran forward
+with the orders for the engineer. A minute later the Limited hooted
+shrilly and once more started southward.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XIV
+                           THE LIGHTS GO OUT
+                                   ★
+
+
+Back in the Pullman from which Tully had vanished Bob took off the coat
+which had protected him from the storm. He sat down opposite the berth
+and carefully examined the target revolver. An eerie feeling ran along
+his spine. He felt as though some one was watching him and he turned and
+scanned the windows of the Pullman. But that was impossible for the
+Limited was already running better than thirty miles an hour and no one
+could possibly have clung to the side of the train.
+
+The conductor came back through.
+
+“I’m going to finish that search,” declared Bob, and the trainman,
+without further comment, joined him.
+
+Working together and moving cautiously, they raised up the trap door on
+every vestibule clear up to the baggage car. There was no one hidden on
+the steps.
+
+“If there was ever anyone there, he got off at Robertson,” said the
+conductor.
+
+But Bob shook his head.
+
+“I don’t think so,” he said firmly. “What would a man stop there for?
+It’s miles from any other town, and there are no good highways nearby to
+make a get-away in a car.”
+
+“Maybe you’re right, but there’s no one on this train.”
+
+Bob wasn’t so sure. A crafty man such as Hamsa had shown himself to be
+could have moved to the shelter of one of the rear vestibules while the
+Limited was standing at Robertson for Bob had checked these vestibules
+before the train stopped there.
+
+“I’m going to work from the front to the back,” declared Bob, and the
+conductor looked at him suspiciously as though thinking that the strain
+of the night might have unbalanced Bob. But he went along without
+complaint when the federal agent started the hunt again.
+
+Car by car they inspected the train. The small dark spot they had found
+in one vestibule had dried and Bob didn’t dare think what might have
+happened to Tully. While there was no love lost between them, Bob had no
+desire to see any harm come to the other.
+
+As they entered the observation car, the Limited started slowing down.
+
+The conductor, pressing his face against one of the rain-washed panes of
+glass, peered ahead.
+
+“Junction showing now,” he said as Bob stepped in after inspecting the
+trap doors on the observation platform.
+
+A red lantern was being swung at the junction platform and the minute the
+Limited drew to a halt beside the cinder platform Bob and the trainman
+started running forward.
+
+A night operator, swathed in a heavy storm coat, greeted them.
+
+“Message from Robertson for Bob Houston,” he told the conductor. “Fine
+thing to make a man deliver telegrams at this time of night.”
+
+The conductor didn’t bother to answer the operator’s complaint but handed
+the message to Bob, who tore open the envelope and read the brief message
+inside.
+
+“Man you reported missing found by freight crew. Has cut on head and is
+bruised. Otherwise appears okay. Proceeding on to junction aboard
+freight.”
+
+Bob breathed a sigh of relief for he was honestly glad to know that no
+serious harm had befallen Tully.
+
+“Are you going on with us or will you stay here?” asked the conductor.
+
+Bob hesitated for only a moment.
+
+“I’m going on,” he decided, for he knew that Tully would be placed in
+good hands by the railroad people and could proceed on alone to his
+assignment as soon as he felt well enough. In the meantime, Bob was still
+convinced that Joe Hamsa was somewhere aboard the Limited for he knew
+that Hamsa’s destination, like his own, was somewhere along the east
+coast of Florida and he felt sure that Hamsa would lose no time in
+attempting to reach it. In view of that, Bob felt the gangster would
+continue on the Limited.
+
+Two short, impatient blasts sounded up ahead and the Limited jerked into
+motion as Bob and the conductor swung back onto the train.
+
+Bob had the borrowed revolver in one hand and as he swung up after the
+conductor one hand slipped on the wet handrail and he nearly fell. To
+save himself he grasped the railing with the other hand and dropped the
+gun just as the Limited rolled over a small culvert. It was impossible to
+stop and retrieve the gun and Bob was unarmed for a second time that
+night.
+
+“I guess the fellow you’re hunting has disappeared for good,” said the
+conductor as he lowered the trap in the vestibule.
+
+Bob, shaking the rain off his coat, nodded absent-mindedly and the
+trainman went forward while Bob returned to the Pullman. A queer feeling
+went through his body as he walked down the silent car. It was from this
+car that their confidential documents had disappeared and it was from the
+very berth that Bob had intended occupying that Tully had vanished.
+
+The porter was evidently keeping as far away from the car as possible for
+he failed to answer Bob’s summons. However, a berth farther down the car
+had been made up and Bob decided to slip off his shoes and lie down there
+to rest.
+
+With a little relaxation he might be able to think better; perhaps even
+to unravel all of the strange events which had taken place on the train
+since it had left Washington.
+
+The Limited sped southward steadily and the clicking of the trucks soon
+lulled Bob to sleep in spite of his efforts to keep awake.
+
+The young federal agent had no idea how long he had been asleep when he
+awoke suddenly with the breathless blackness of the car all around him.
+He rallied his thoughts.
+
+The lights in the car had been on the last he could remember, for he had
+not drawn the curtains of his berth.
+
+Bob sat upright in the berth and waited. The trucks were still echoing
+the pace of the train and Bob thought that the porter might have snapped
+the wrong switch.
+
+Then he heard a movement down the aisle and knew instantly that some one
+was in the car.
+
+Could it be Hamsa? That was the first question that flashed through Bob’s
+mind.
+
+The federal agent gathered his feet beneath him. There wasn’t even time
+for him to grope under the berth in quest of his shoes for he could hear
+the stealthy approach of the intruder.
+
+Bob strained his eyes in an effort to detect the movement of the marauder
+but the darkness of the car was too dense. He could only wait, but he
+felt that he had an advantage now, for he would be able to take the other
+by surprise.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter XV
+                              IN THE AISLE
+                                   ★
+
+
+The Limited heeled sharply as it struck a curve and the whistle moaned a
+warning through the wetness of the night. A street light flickered by and
+in the flash of light that penetrated the car Bob caught a fleeting
+glimpse of a man in the aisle. The figure of the intruder was heavy and
+he was hunched forward. There had been no chance to recognize the face,
+but Bob was sure now that the other man in the car was Hamsa.
+
+Another street light shot a beam through the windows and it played
+squarely on the face of the man in the aisle. It was Hamsa!
+
+Bob felt in his coat pockets for something to defend himself and his
+groping hands came on the blackjack which Hamsa had used on Tully. There
+was the grim hint of a smile on Bob’s lips as he slipped his right hand
+through the leather thong on the leaden slug. He now had both an
+effective and dangerous weapon and he knew he would be justified in using
+it.
+
+Once more there came the streak of light in the car as the Limited roared
+over another crossing and Bob saw that Hamsa was nearer, almost at the
+head of the berth.
+
+With his muscles tense and his whole body balanced, Bob waited for
+another flash of light from the street which would give him an
+opportunity to strike down the intruder. Then the clatter of the trucks
+over switch points told him the train was out of the village. Whatever
+happened from that point on would probably be in utter darkness unless
+the porter happened to come back into the car and turn on the lights.
+
+The Limited settled down to its steady stride again and Bob, tense and
+crouching waited. His breath was coming in short jerks and he was afraid
+that his heart was pounding so hard its beats would be audible to the
+other who was intent on catching him by surprise in the darkened berth.
+
+By straining his eyes Bob finally made out the approaching shadow that
+was Hamsa. He drew back his right arm and waited.
+
+Hamsa came nearer, treading cautiously lest he alarm the youth he
+believed was sleeping soundly in the berth.
+
+Suddenly a beam of light shot out from Hamsa’s hand as he turned on a
+flash light, but the rays fell only on the rumpled bedclothes.
+
+Bob heard a smothered exclamation from the other and before Hamsa could
+swing the beam of the flash light around in search of him he struck forth
+with the blackjack.
+
+Just as Bob swung the weapon the trucks hit a sag in the track and the
+young federal agent was thrown partially off balance. He had aimed at
+Hamsa’s head, and although his blow missed that the weapon crashed down
+on his shoulder and Bob heard a sharp cry of pain.
+
+He jerked back the weapon and struck again and again. Each time he heard
+a cry of pain and then the flash light thudded to the floor and its beam
+went out.
+
+They went at it hand to hand then, Hamsa wresting the blackjack away from
+Bob and hurling it to the far end of the car. The other man was much
+older and twice as heavy as Bob, but he was not as lithe and his fists
+could not move as rapidly.
+
+It was a bitter struggle there in the narrow, darkened aisle of the
+Pullman. Hamsa kicked out viciously and the blow caught Bob in the
+stomach. He felt sick all over and dropped into the aisle, crouching
+there and seeking temporary shelter until he felt able to resume the
+battle.
+
+Hamsa bent down and searched for the flash light and Bob lashed out at
+him with one foot. The blow caught the other in the face and was answered
+by a startled exclamation of pain and rage.
+
+Then Bob’s own hands came upon the flash light. He picked it up and his
+fingers sought the little button which controlled its beam of light. Bob
+turned on the light and the rays swept down the aisle, coming to rest on
+the battered face of Hamsa.
+
+It was not until then that Bob realized how powerful had been his own
+blows for it was obvious that his assailant was in distress. Now if he
+could land a real knockout he would be able to leave Hamsa long enough to
+summon assistance from the trainmen.
+
+Bob started down the aisle, but pulled up short when Hamsa drew a gun
+from his coat pocket. The young federal agent, unarmed, was in no
+position to face a man with a gun and he tried to duck behind a seat. But
+Hamsa fired a snap shot and the flash light, shattered by the bullet,
+dropped out of Bob’s numbed hand.
+
+The tables had been turned. Where Bob had held the advantage a moment
+before with the flash light, Hamsa, aided by the darkness and his gun,
+was in a position to win.
+
+But he had evidently had enough of hand to hand encounters for one night
+and Bob heard him running toward the rear of the car. A moment later the
+door of the Pullman slammed shut.
+
+Bob stepped out into the aisle and massaged his right hand. It prickled
+sharply as the blood flowed back into the fingers which had been bruised
+by the flash light as the bullet had torn it out of his hands.
+
+Then Bob took up the chase, for he felt sure that Hamsa must be seeking
+his hideout on the train. If he could trace him to it, he would summon
+the trainmen to assist in the capture.
+
+Bob stepped cautiously into the rear vestibule of the car. There was no
+one there and the door to the next Pullman was open. He hastened inside
+and met a startled porter in the aisle.
+
+“Did a man just go down the aisle?” asked Bob.
+
+“Yes, sir, Boss, and he looked like he’d been in a fight.”
+
+“That’s the fellow I’m after,” said Bob. “Run up ahead and get the
+conductor and any other trainmen you can. Tell them to get back here as
+fast as they can.”
+
+Then Bob hastened down the aisle and the porter, willing enough to leave
+the car, went forward to carry out Bob’s instructions.
+
+The young federal agent hastened through a second Pullman where the
+lights were low and finally stepped into the observation car. So far
+there had been no trace of Hamsa and no indication that he had sought
+shelter under one of the trap doors in the vestibules.
+
+Bob entered the observation car cautiously. The lights had been turned
+down and he stopped at the head end of the car and snapped on all of the
+switches, a torrent of light illuminating the interior of the car. Even
+the observation platform at the back end leaped into view as a special
+light out there came on under the magic touch of the switches.
+
+Bob stared hard at the back of the car. The door to the observation
+platform was open but beyond that he could see a man’s legs dangling,
+apparently in midair. Bob threw caution aside then and raced toward the
+half open door at the rear of the car. The legs were being drawn upward,
+twisting and kicking as the man attempted to pull himself onto the roof
+of the observation car. This then was Hamsa’s hiding place—on the roof of
+the rear car of the train!
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XVI
+                           FIGHTING FOR LIFE
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob leaped through the door and grabbed at Hamsa’s legs. The other man
+kicked viciously, but Bob wrapped his arms around the legs and hung on.
+Once he had a good grip, he started pulling the other man down.
+
+Hamsa was big and he was powerful, but the steady pull from below
+weakened his grip on the steep rungs of the ladder which led to the top
+of the car and Bob could feel himself gaining. In less than a minute the
+other man would be down on the platform beside him and by that time the
+trainmen should be on hand to help him subdue Hamsa.
+
+There was a strange exultation in Bob’s heart for he felt sure now that
+he was about to make the first capture in what he felt was to be the
+clean-up of the international gang of smugglers. It made little
+difference whether Hamsa had been trailing them south or whether they had
+encountered each other by accident. The message from Washington had
+indicated that Hamsa was deeply involved and Bob was determined to make
+the capture.
+
+The steady pull Bob put on Hamsa’s legs and the tightness of his grasp
+was relentless. Slowly the other man was weakening and Bob braced himself
+and prepared to release Hamsa’s legs and cut loose with a half dozen hard
+punches when the other man finally dropped to the observation platform.
+
+There was a commotion at the head end of the car and Bob shifted his head
+just enough to see the train conductor and brakeman, followed by a
+wide-eyed Pullman porter, hurry in.
+
+Hamsa kicked convulsively with his legs, but Bob tightened his grasp.
+Then, without warning, without giving Bob a chance to get set, Hamsa
+suddenly released his hold and dropped. It all happened so quickly that
+Bob later found it a little hard to remember just what took place.
+
+On the split second while he was dropping to the observation platform,
+Hamsa must have seen the trainmen charging down the aisle of the car, for
+when he landed, he was a bundle of tremendous energy that seemed to
+explode in Bob’s face.
+
+Great, bear-like arms wrapped themselves around Bob and the young federal
+agent felt himself being lifted upward. For a moment he was helpless, too
+surprised even to attempt to struggle, but a sharp cry from behind him
+caused him to try to strike out with his feet for beneath came the sudden
+rumble of the trucks on a trestle and he knew that Hamsa, in a last
+desperate effort, was attempting to hurl him from the rear platform of
+the train.
+
+The young federal agent wrapped his own arms around Hamsa and clung to
+him desperately. If Bob went, Hamsa would go with him. Of that he was
+certain. The rail of the platform struck Bob’s hips and he felt himself
+being forced backward. It was sickening to hear the rumble of the trestle
+beneath and a flood of rain beat down on his face, drenching the upper
+half of his body.
+
+Then Hamsa gave one last, tremendous shove and Bob knew that he was going
+over the edge of the railing, but Hamsa was going with him. The speed of
+the Limited had slackened, but it was still doing at least twenty miles
+an hour when Bob and Hamsa, locked arm in arm, went over the rear
+platform. Bob closed his eyes for the shock of striking the trestle would
+be terrific. If he could only remain on the bridge there would be some
+chance of rescue for the trainmen had seen them go over the back end and
+would hurry back in a searching party.
+
+As they left the train, Bob managed to get one last twist with his toes
+and as they fell, he was on top. The drop from the train to the trestle
+seemed endless. The clatter of the train trucks had dimmed, but a whistle
+up ahead was blaring an alarm.
+
+Then they struck the trestle—struck it hard and rolled over once. The
+fall dazed Bob, but through his foggy mind he could hear the rush of
+water somewhere below.
+
+Hamsa had rolled away from him but it was too dark to see just where and
+Bob clung to the wet steel of one of the rails. He was too weak and
+shaken to think of attempting to get to his feet and back of him he could
+hear the shriek of the air brakes as they clamped down on the wheels of
+the Limited and brought the Southern to an emergency stop just beyond the
+edge of the long trestle.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XVII
+                           INTO ANGRY WATERS
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob ached in every muscle and he wondered, as he lay there on the trestle
+with the rain beating down on him, if the dangers of being a federal
+agent were worth the rewards. Then he swept that thought aside. Of course
+it was worth it, for he was on the side of right and honor—a side for
+which many a sacrifice could be willingly made.
+
+As he lay on the bridge, trying to rally his senses and waiting for
+enough strength to flow back through his body to enable him to sit up,
+Bob’s eyes became more accustomed to the rain and the night. He tried to
+pick out the form of Hamsa, who must be close to him, for the other man
+had been underneath when they fell. The shock had been severe enough for
+Bob and he wondered if the other had been seriously injured.
+
+Finally Bob’s straining eyes picked out the form of the other man. He was
+some feet away and beyond the outside rail of the trestle—on the very
+edge of the bridge where a false move would plunge him into the rushing
+waters below.
+
+Bob tried to move, but he was still too weak and Hamsa was a dozen feet
+away. He wanted to reach him and pull him away from the edge.
+
+Someone at the end of the bridge was shouting and Bob turned his head to
+see a group of trainmen, lanterns in their hands, making their way out on
+the long trestle. They were coming cautiously for the long rain had made
+the timbers slippery and treacherous.
+
+As the trainmen moved out on the bridge, Bob’s eyes went back to Hamsa.
+To his surprise the other man was moving, struggling to sit up, and Bob
+called out a warning.
+
+“Don’t move, Hamsa!” he ordered. “You’re under arrest. Stay where you are
+or you’ll fall off the bridge.”
+
+There was no reply from the other, but he continued his struggle to sit
+up and Bob tried to drag himself closer to the man he had placed under
+arrest. There was no strength left in his own arms or legs and he could
+go only a foot or two.
+
+The glow from the lanterns of the approaching trainmen now penetrated the
+blackness and Bob could see Hamsa’s face turned toward him.
+
+“You’re clever, Kid,” growled the other, “but you’re not going to arrest
+me this time. I’ll see you later and when I do, watch out!”
+
+Then the other turned and deliberately rolled to the edge of the trestle.
+
+“Hamsa, you’re under arrest!” cried Bob. But he knew the words were
+futile for the only reply was a mocking laugh. Then Hamsa disappeared
+over the edge and seconds later there was the dull splash of a heavy body
+striking the water. Bob thought he heard the mocking laugh once more, but
+he couldn’t be sure.
+
+Then the trainmen, led by the conductor, reached the scene.
+
+“Where’s the other fellow?” demanded the conductor.
+
+Bob pointed to the darkness below.
+
+“He just rolled over the edge,” he said.
+
+The startled conductor went to the edge of the trestle and swung his
+lantern over the side, but only the rush of dark waters could be seen.
+
+“That’s the last you’ll see of him,” he said. “This stream is on a
+rampage and only a powerful man could get to shore.”
+
+Bob nodded, but he was not sure about the conductor’s surmise that he had
+seen the last of Hamsa for he was both a powerful and resourceful man.
+
+The trainmen helped Bob to his feet and assisted him back to the Limited.
+
+“I guess now you’ll be content to go to bed and give us a little rest,”
+said the conductor when Bob reached his own berth.
+
+“I’ve got to get off a telegram first,” replied Bob. “Give me the name of
+that stream and the correct time.”
+
+The conductor supplied the information and Bob wrote a brief report of
+the night’s events and addressed it to Waldo Edgar, the chief of the
+division of investigation back in Washington.
+
+“See that this message is dispatched at the first stop,” said Bob. Then
+he turned, crawled between the crisp, cool sheets, and dropped into a
+deep sleep of exhaustion.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XVIII
+                            PICKING UP CLUES
+                                   ★
+
+
+When he awoke the Limited was pulling into the train shed at Jacksonville
+and his uncle, Merritt Hughes, was waiting for him on the platform.
+
+The older federal agent jumped aboard the Limited before it came to a
+full stop and hastened down the aisle to the berth where Bob, still the
+only occupant of the car, was partially dressed.
+
+“How are you, Bob?” There was real anxiety in the question as Merritt
+Hughes looked down on his capable young nephew.
+
+“I’m a little stiff, but otherwise all right,” grinned Bob. “My bag is
+under the berth. See if you can find a clean shirt for me.”
+
+“Never mind the shirt now. I want to know what happened last night. We
+got only the briefest word from Washington over the wires and Condon
+Adams left before dawn for the hospital up the line where they took
+Tully.”
+
+“Is he all right?” asked Bob.
+
+“I understand he’ll have to stay in bed for a couple of days.”
+
+“What about the man we knew as Joe Hamsa?”
+
+Merritt Hughes shook his head.
+
+“There are no reports on him. There’s a large searching party out looking
+along the banks of the stream where he disappeared, but it looks like
+we’ve seen the last of him.”
+
+Bob wished that he could have had the confidence his uncle displayed in
+believing that Joe Hamsa was gone forever.
+
+At his uncle’s urging, Bob recounted in detail everything that had taken
+place after the Limited left Washington.
+
+“So Hamsa hid out on top of the observation car?” mused the federal
+agent. “Well, that’s a new one for me. No wonder you failed to find him
+even though you went through the train several times.”
+
+Bob motioned toward his bag beneath the berth, “Now how about my shirt?
+Then some breakfast, and I’ll be ready to go along on my assignment.”
+
+“You’ll do nothing of the kind. You’re going to spend the rest of the day
+in bed in my room at the hotel. Tomorrow we’ll talk about your going on
+to Atalissa. I’m not sure that I want you to go there alone. It’s a tough
+little town. People know too much there, but they won’t talk. Either
+scared or in league with some illegal racket.”
+
+“And you figure the racket is the jewel smuggling?”
+
+Merritt Hughes nodded gravely.
+
+“This thing is big, Bob,” he went on. “As you know from the confidential
+report you got, we feel sure that only a few men are actually involved in
+the ring, but they must be men of great daring and resourcefulness, for
+they have managed to elude some of the best detectives.”
+
+“Then it seems kind of foolish for me to tackle it,” said Bob, half to
+himself and half to his uncle.
+
+“Not at all. A new, younger man may have some ideas that older men in the
+service would not have. You’ve had one break in getting Hamsa out of the
+way and we’re sure that he was linked with the gang.”
+
+“I guess there’s no question about that for he stole the confidential
+reports Tully and I had.”
+
+“Then what does that mean to you?” asked Bob’s uncle.
+
+The younger agent, struggling to button a shirt collar that was too
+tight, stopped and sat down on the edge of the berth.
+
+“In the first place it means that he wanted to find out just what the
+federal people knew about the operations of the gang. Then it appears
+pretty obvious that he didn’t want any more federal men nosing around
+Atalissa and Nira.”
+
+“Right in both cases,” agreed Merritt Hughes. “Now what?”
+
+“Well, it follows that there must be some good reason for this interest
+in federal operations, and all I can figure out is that the gang is
+getting ready to smuggle in a large amount of gems.”
+
+“Go to the head of the class; you’ve had a perfect score. The question
+now follows, what shall we do?”
+
+“Are you going to try to demote me now?” grinned Bob.
+
+“No, I’m just trying to find out how far along the way you’ll get by
+sound deduction and logic.”
+
+“Then I’d say that we ought to go through with our original plans and
+that Tully and I proceed on to our assignments at once with additional
+agents held ready to back us up if we get in a jam or things break wide
+open and we need help.”
+
+“You’re not worrying about Hamsa having escaped from the river and
+getting word to the others in the gang?”
+
+“Of course I’m thinking about that angle, but that’s a chance we’ll have
+to take,” replied Bob.
+
+“We’ll make the decision tomorrow. There may be some further advices from
+Washington by that time.”
+
+Bob finished dressing and his uncle picked up his bag and together they
+walked out into the train shed.
+
+“Breakfast is going to taste good to me,” said Bob. “Don’t waste any time
+in getting there.”
+
+“Then we’ll eat at the restaurant in the station,” decided his uncle.
+
+Breakfast was served quickly after they placed their orders and Bob ate
+the meal with real relish. Corn cakes with a thick coating of maple syrup
+especially pleased him and he had a second order.
+
+After the meal was finished, they walked through the main waiting room of
+the station and to the taxi stand just beyond where Merritt Hughes
+signalled for a vehicle, and they were soon speeding toward the hotel.
+
+Bob, still stiff and sore from his encounter the night before with Joe
+Hamsa, leaned back against the cushions and enjoyed the trip, for this
+was his first visit to Florida. The streets were broad, the homes
+hospitable and life seemed to move at a more leisurely pace than it did
+in the northern cities with which he was familiar.
+
+The hotel, a modest sized structure, was done in Spanish architecture and
+his uncle had two rooms on the fourth floor looking down on an inner
+court where there was a spacious swimming pool flanked by stubby palm
+trees.
+
+“Now for a shower bath and I’ll feel like I really wanted to live again,”
+said Bob.
+
+“I’ve got several reports to make out and mail to the bureau in
+Washington,” said his uncle, “and I’ll get them out of the way while
+you’re taking your shower.”
+
+Bob undressed and adjusted the spray in the shower to his liking. For ten
+minutes he relaxed under the soothing flow of the water and when he
+finally emerged his muscles were not as sore and tight and his head felt
+clearer. As he rubbed his body briskly with a heavy towel, one thought
+troubled him. What had caused the sudden illness which had befallen Tully
+and later had nearly struck him down on the train? While he dressed, Bob
+told his uncle about these incidents.
+
+“You say you felt something like a sharp blow on the face before you
+became ill?” asked the older federal agent.
+
+“That’s right.”
+
+“Then you were gassed.”
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XIX
+                              THE WARNING
+                                   ★
+
+
+“Gassed!” exclaimed Bob incredulously.
+
+“Certainly. Tully got a full-sized dose and you probably got only half a
+one, which accounts for the varying degrees of your illness and nausea.”
+
+“But we couldn’t have been gassed,” replied Bob.
+
+“Oh yes you could. Modern crooks sometimes turn to science to help them
+and I know as a fact that small amounts of gas, which make the victim
+desperately ill, can be obtained in thin glass capsules. These capsules
+are so small they can be flipped off the end of a finger or thrown in
+some other manner with great accuracy. If they strike near the nose, the
+impact shatters them and the gas is released, causing a violent illness
+which usually makes the victim unconscious.”
+
+“That’s what happened,” cried Bob. “Why your explanation fits perfectly,
+only I didn’t get a full dose. Perhaps there was too much fresh air in
+the car I was in.”
+
+“The pellet of glass might have struck you a glancing blow,” suggested
+his uncle.
+
+“How can you defend yourself against this?” asked Bob.
+
+“The only safe way would be by a gas mask, but now that you know such
+things can happen you can be on the lookout. If you ever feel a similar
+impact that arouses your suspicion, don’t breathe, but rush to some other
+spot before you take another gulp of air. That should enable you to
+escape the gas.”
+
+“I’m going to remember that,” promised Bob.
+
+“Better take a nap now. After you wake up you can type out your detailed
+report for Washington,” advised Merritt Hughes.
+
+Bob didn’t especially relish the idea of sleeping when he felt he should
+be on his way to Atalissa, but he was thoroughly relaxed and a great
+fatigue had crept over him. So it was with real gratitude that he crept
+in between crisp sheets. He was asleep in less than a minute. Some time
+later his uncle looked in and pulled down the shades at the windows.
+Later he went out for a time, and when he returned Bob was still in a
+deep sleep. It was late afternoon before Bob finally roused from his
+slumber, but he felt much like his former self. Of course there were a
+few bruises and several strained muscles, but he could walk without
+creaking in every joint.
+
+Bob dressed and went into the adjoining room which his uncle occupied.
+The federal agent had gone out several hours before, but his portable
+typewriter was on a low table and Bob sat down and started to work on his
+report which was to be air mailed to Washington.
+
+The report was lengthy for Bob went into great detail and the afternoon
+faded into early night. He snapped on a desk light and continued with his
+work. When he was through he straightened up and stretched his arms for
+he had been hunched over the typewriter for more than an hour and a half.
+
+Bob leaned back in his chair and read the report with care, correcting an
+occasional error which he had made in the manuscript. That done, he
+addressed a large envelope, and went down to the desk in the lobby where
+he secured air mail stamps and learned that by prompt mailing the letter
+would be delivered in Washington the next morning.
+
+Bob was hungry, but he waited for a time for his uncle. Now that he was
+thoroughly rested, he was anxious to make plans for the trip to Atalissa.
+After waiting in the lobby for half an hour, Bob went into the dining
+room which opened to the right, leaving word where he could be found.
+
+A supper with a fresh fish steak as the main course appeased his hunger
+and he ate leisurely. A newsboy, walking through the restaurant,
+attracted his attention and he purchased an evening paper, scanning the
+headlines while he completed his meal with a chocolate sundae.
+
+Bob wondered if the reporters had been tipped off by the trainmen as to
+what had taken place the night before on the Southern Limited. He
+searched every page of the paper, but there was no mention of the
+disappearance of Joe Hamsa.
+
+It was nearly mid-evening by the time Bob was through with his meal and
+he returned to the lobby, inquiring for any possible information about
+his uncle.
+
+“He left about four o’clock,” said the clerk on duty. “I happened to see
+him step into the street and he turned to the right. I’m positive he
+hasn’t been back since then.”
+
+Bob thanked the clerk for the information, meager though it was. It would
+do no harm to go for a stroll and he stepped out into the street. Like
+his uncle had done, he turned right on a street which led down to the
+water front.
+
+He soon found himself in a poorer part of the city. Street lights were
+far apart and their globes dirty. Houses and shops seemed to be hiding
+and the men who went along the street did not look up.
+
+Two policemen strolled by and Bob whistled for he knew what it meant when
+officers made their beat in pairs. He doubted whether his uncle had
+visited this district and he turned and walked back to the hotel.
+
+A clock was striking ten when Bob re-entered the lobby. He was almost at
+the elevators when the clerk called to him.
+
+“Telephone call just coming in for you,” he said. “You can answer here if
+you wish.”
+
+Bob hastened over to the desk. It must be his uncle, phoning to tell him
+that he had been detained.
+
+Bob picked up the instrument which the clerk handed him and placed the
+receiver to his ear. A gruff voice spoke, “Is this Bob Houston?”
+
+It was a strange voice and Bob tried to catalog its timbre, for it was
+pitched unusually low.
+
+“This is Bob Houston speaking,” he replied quietly.
+
+“Then listen to what I’ve got to say. We’ve got your uncle and we’ll get
+you and any other federal men who attempt to trail us. Get off this case
+and stay off if you ever want to see him alive again and you can tell
+that to Washington.”
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter XX
+                              MEAGER HOPES
+                                   ★
+
+
+Before Bob could reply he heard the receiver on the other end of the line
+click. He whirled to the hotel clerk.
+
+“Any idea where that call came from?” he asked.
+
+“No.”
+
+“Get the chief operator for me at once,” said Bob, pulling out his badge
+to speed the clerk’s efforts. To the chief operator Bob explained who he
+was and what he wanted.
+
+“Hold the line,” said the telephone official.
+
+Bob leaned his elbows hard against the desk. He needed the extra support
+for he had suddenly gone weak all over. There had been grave menace in
+the throaty voice which had come over the wire and he did not doubt the
+truth of the threat.
+
+It was entirely possible that his uncle had been captured by the
+smugglers they were trailing and Bob knew, after his encounter with
+Hamsa, that they were perfectly capable of using the most drastic means
+to put out of the way any obstacle to the success of their plans.
+
+The chief operator spoke again.
+
+“Your call came from a pay station in a drug store near the water front.”
+
+Bob obtained the name of the drug store and he whirled away from the desk
+and ran outside to the taxi stand. He jumped into the first cab and gave
+the address of the drug store.
+
+“Step on it driver. I’ll clear you with any traffic officer that stops
+us.”
+
+“I’ve heard that story before,” grunted the driver as he shifted the
+gears.
+
+“This talks,” said Bob, shoving his badge into view of the driver.
+
+“You said it, mister,” said the taxi man, and the cab leaped ahead as he
+trod heavily on the accelerator.
+
+The cab wove in and out of a web of traffic, then shot away down a dark
+street, took several corners on two wheels, and after threading through
+several narrower streets, drew up beside a well lighted corner drug
+store.
+
+“Wait here,” ordered Bob, jumping from the cab and hurrying into the
+store.
+
+Two clerks were on duty and Bob addressed himself to the older man.
+
+Motioning toward the telephone booth at the rear of the store, he fired
+his first question.
+
+“Give me a description of the man who put in a call from here not more
+than fifteen minutes ago.”
+
+The man to whom Bob addressed the question appeared to resent his
+intrusion, and his reply was far from courteous.
+
+“You’ve got the wrong place and besides I don’t like you.”
+
+That touched off Bob’s temper and his anger blazed.
+
+“Give me the information I want and give it to me at once or you’re going
+on a quick ride to jail. Who phoned from that booth?”
+
+At the same time Bob revealed the metal shield in his hand which
+identified him, and the entire attitude of the clerk changed.
+
+“Why didn’t you tell me you were a federal man in the first place?” he
+grumbled.
+
+“I want to know who made that call,” insisted Bob.
+
+“Well, I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention. There were a couple of
+other customers in the store. He was kind of tall, and about thirty-five
+I’d say.”
+
+“What kind of clothes was he wearing?”
+
+“He had on a coverall suit and a dark hat.”
+
+“How about his hair and eyes. Was there anything on his face that would
+make it easy to identify him?”
+
+The younger clerk spoke up.
+
+“I noticed his low, deep voice,” he said, “and there was a little scar
+just in front of one ear.”
+
+“Which one?”
+
+The clerk turned half away from Bob as though assuming the position in
+which the stranger had appeared to him.
+
+“It was the left ear,” he replied. “I’m sure about that now.”
+
+“Notice anything else about him? Did he appear nervous or in a hurry to
+get away?”
+
+“He wasn’t exactly nervous, but after he came out of the booth he didn’t
+linger around.”
+
+“Did he have a car?”
+
+“No, he walked in here, but just after he left I heard a motorboat
+getting under way. You know it’s less than a block to the water front.”
+
+There was no more information to be gained from the clerks in the store
+and Bob returned to the street where the cab was waiting.
+
+“Roll on down to the water front,” he told the driver.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXI
+                           SPECIAL AGENT NINE
+                                   ★
+
+
+Along the river the docks appeared deserted and there was not even a
+watchman in sight. Bob returned to the cab.
+
+“Wheel for the central police station and don’t lose any time,” he
+commanded.
+
+The cab shot away and Bob sank back into the seat, his head in a whirl.
+Somehow, he felt sure, the tangled threads would weave into a pattern
+that he could solve, but he had to admit that right now he was up against
+a seeming impasse.
+
+The cab driver broke almost every speed record in Jacksonville that night
+and more than once they averted smashed fenders by the narrowest of
+margins.
+
+A police siren shrilled behind them and the driver looked over his
+shoulder.
+
+“Motorcycle cop coming,” he cried.
+
+“How far is it to the station?” asked Bob.
+
+“Two blocks.”
+
+“Then keep on going.”
+
+The driver pressed the accelerator to the floor boards and the cab leaped
+ahead, ran through a red light in spite of the waving arms of another
+traffic officer, and then shrieked to a stop before the central police
+station.
+
+Behind them the siren rose and then fell as the motorcycle officer
+wheeled to the curb.
+
+“Smart guys, smart guys,” he yelled. “Look where you stopped?”
+
+Grinning, he pointed to the sign which designated the building as the
+police station.
+
+“Just go right on in and make yourselves at home. You’ll be there long
+enough. I’m going to slap half a dozen traffic charges against you.”
+
+Bob had no time to waste words with a traffic officer.
+
+“Come on in and place all of the charges you want to,” he snapped,
+motioning to the taxi driver to accompany him.
+
+Once inside the station, Bob hastened to the main desk where a night
+captain was on duty.
+
+“I’m Bob Houston, special agent nine of the Department of Justice,” he
+explained, displaying the badge which he held in his hand. “It was
+necessary for me to reach here without loss of time and the driver of my
+cab ran through some red lights. Please see that any charges against him
+are dismissed.”
+
+The night captain nodded and waved the motorcycle officer aside.
+
+“Why all the hurry?” he asked.
+
+“My uncle, a federal agent, walked out of the hotel this afternoon and
+failed to return. A few minutes ago I was warned that unless the federal
+men were taken off a certain case, he would never be seen alive again.”
+
+“Think it was a fake threat?”
+
+“No. It was serious enough. I traced the call to a public booth in a drug
+store down near the water front. The clerks were able to give me only a
+fair description of the man who made the call, but one of them told me a
+motorboat had started down river shortly after the man left.”
+
+“Any description of the boat?” pressed the night captain.
+
+“There was no one along the water front.”
+
+“Then I’m afraid it’s going to be tough to pick up that boat. It’s as
+black as pitch tonight, but we’ll see what we can do.”
+
+“I’d like to use a private room where I can phone Washington,” said Bob
+and the officer pointed to a doorway to the left and rear of his own
+desk. Before he entered, Bob paid his taxi bill and handed the driver a
+generous tip.
+
+Once in the private room, Bob dropped into a leather upholstered chair.
+Calling long distance, he asked for a certain number in Washington that
+was called only when something of the utmost importance happened.
+
+“Lines north are busy at present,” said the operator.
+
+But the information Bob had could not wait and he asked for the chief
+operator. In quick, terse sentences he explained who he was and the
+importance of his message.
+
+Faint clicking sounds could be heard in the receiver, then Washington
+answered and Bob knew that his call was being given the right-of-way over
+everything else.
+
+A quiet voice asked, “Who’s speaking?” and Bob knew that he was in
+contact with Waldo Edgar, the grim, efficient head of the government’s
+greatest man-hunting division.
+
+“This is Bob Houston. I’m at the central police station at Jacksonville.
+Merritt Hughes, my uncle, has been kidnaped within the last few hours.”
+
+“What’s that?” There was explosive energy in the question which was
+hurled back over the wires.
+
+Bob repeated his message, elaborating a little this time.
+
+“But Bob, that’s impossible.”
+
+“I thought so too, at first,” confessed Bob, “but after that warning
+phone call I changed my mind.”
+
+“Call your hotel again. I’ll hold the line.”
+
+Bob stepped outside and from another phone got in touch with his hotel.
+There had been no word about his uncle, the clerk assured him, and Bob
+returned to the private room, where he relayed the news northward.
+
+He heard Waldo Edgar’s breath suck in.
+
+“What have you done?” came the question, and Bob was ready.
+
+He told of his own attempt and added that he had enlisted the aid of the
+Jacksonville police.
+
+“That’s right as far as you’ve gone,” said his chief. “Unfortunately a
+big kidnaping has broken in the midwest and all of the extra men are
+concentrated there. Condon Adams will be back in Jacksonville shortly
+after midnight and you must get in touch with him.”
+
+There was a brief pause while the federal chief mulled over plans for his
+next strategy.
+
+“This isn’t going to be easy to do, Bob,” he said, “but I’m counting on
+you going to your assignment at Atalissa at once. This gang must be about
+to pull off a really big job and I have a feeling the disappearance of
+your uncle is a step to keep federal men from concentrating further south
+along the coast. Get all of the information you can and turn it over to
+Condon Adams when he arrives. Then you continue south and Adams will take
+up the search for your uncle. As soon as additional men can be spared,
+they will be sent to aid you.”
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXII
+                           A HARD ASSIGNMENT
+                                   ★
+
+
+It was a hard assignment to take, but Bob acquiesced. He would have
+preferred to remain in Jacksonville and search for his uncle, but he
+realized the logic in Waldo Edgar’s deductions.
+
+“Keep in close touch with me, Bob, and if it looks like things are going
+to break down the coast, we’ll get help to you. Keep your chin up now,
+and give them all you’ve got.”
+
+The receiver on the far end of the line clicked and Bob hung up the
+instrument he had used. The night captain stuck his head in the door.
+
+“I’ve sent word to the coast guard to keep a close watch for any unusual
+boat. Maybe they’ll be able to turn up something.”
+
+“But we don’t know it was an unusual boat,” protested Bob.
+
+“Well, we didn’t have any description and I had to tell them something,”
+said the policeman.
+
+They returned to the main desk. The night captain was curious.
+
+“Lot of federal men coming in?” he asked.
+
+But Bob was noncommittal. He would be going further south in a few hours
+and the search for clues here would be turned over to Condon Adams. One
+thing he did need, was a good revolver and ammunition for the rifle.
+
+He made known his wants to the night captain.
+
+“It isn’t the usual thing, but I guess we can fix you up,” said the
+policeman.
+
+He called another officer to take charge of the desk and led the way into
+a rear room where there was a whole rack of guns.
+
+“Look these over and take your choice.”
+
+The night captain opened the case and Bob tried half a dozen revolvers in
+his hand until he found one that was balanced to suit him.
+
+“This feels like a good gun,” he said. “I’ll take it.”
+
+From another case the captain produced a generous supply of ammunition.
+
+“There’s a range downstairs if you’d like to try your marksmanship,” he
+volunteered.
+
+Bob knew that in the coming hours he might find himself in a position
+where a trusty gun would be a life saver and he accepted the captain’s
+invitation.
+
+His finger was steady and the pressure on the trigger smooth. As a result
+he turned in a surprisingly good score and the policeman whistled when he
+saw the card Bob shot out.
+
+“Good work, boy. Anytime you get tired of this federal manhunting just
+let me know and I’ll see that you have a job here.”
+
+“Thanks a lot,” replied Bob. “I may have to call on you if this case
+isn’t solved successfully.”
+
+When they returned upstairs the captain rummaged through the ammunition
+chest and finally found some cartridges which would fit Bob’s rifle. A
+shoulder holster was also borrowed and Bob adjusted the straps so that it
+fitted neatly under his coat.
+
+After thanking the night captain for his assistance, Bob returned to the
+hotel. Another inquiry at the desk revealed that there had been no word
+from his uncle and Bob went upstairs.
+
+His body was tired from the strain of the last few hours and he took a
+warm shower, topping it off with a cold spray that sent the blood
+tingling through his body. Then he dressed in fresh clothes and stretched
+out on the bed for a little relaxation before going to the train to meet
+Condon Adams.
+
+Bob would have preferred to remain in Jacksonville to lead the hunt for
+his uncle, but he knew that Adams was both capable and ruthless and when
+a federal agent was kidnaped, personal feelings which Adams might have
+toward his uncle would vanish.
+
+Bob mulled over the preceding events and the disappearance of his uncle
+strengthened his belief that Hamsa had survived his fall off the trestle
+and into the flood waters the night before. If Hamsa had not survived,
+Bob doubted if his uncle would have been abducted for he knew that Hamsa
+would be afraid of the results when his uncle and he got to comparing
+notes.
+
+The feeling that some momentous activity by the smugglers was under way
+grew as Bob lay there on the bed. The leaders were desperate and yet
+courageous enough to attempt to do away with two federal agents and
+having failed to do that had kidnaped a third.
+
+Bob got up and scanned a map of Florida which he had obtained. His finger
+ran along the coastline until he came to Atalissa. Then he traced on down
+to Nira where Tully had been assigned. It was a desolate, sparsely
+inhabited section of the coast—an area which in centuries before had
+probably been a favorite hiding place for bands of pirates who had roved
+the Spanish main. Numerous indentations dotted the coast, offering ample
+shelter to men who were afraid of the law.
+
+With a start Bob noticed the time. It was after eleven o’clock. He was
+taking no chances and he adjusted the shoulder holster, filled the
+chambers of the revolver with shells, and slipped on his coat.
+
+At the desk downstairs he left word for the clerk to take any message
+which might come for him. Then he sped toward the station in a taxi. When
+he arrived at the terminal he found that the train Condon Adams was
+coming on was half an hour late, for the tracks north were still soft
+from the heavy rain of the preceding night.
+
+Bob sat down to wait for the arrival of the train and as the minutes
+slipped away he had the feeling that he was under observation. The hair
+along the back of his neck tingled and he wanted to turn around and stare
+at those back of him. Instead, he moved once or twice as though restless
+and finally stood up, stretched, and strolled over to the magazine stand,
+where he could turn around and see the entire concourse.
+
+Bob picked up a magazine and skimmed through the pages with fingers that
+turned the sheets mechanically while his keen eyes roved over the room.
+Finally he came back to a lightly built man who had been leaning against
+a radiator somewhat to the right and back of the bench on which he had
+been seated.
+
+The man was dressed in a poorly fitted dark suit, wore a cap, and moved
+restlessly. He was the only one in the scattered gathering of people in
+the station whom Bob would suspect of being there to watch him.
+
+Just then the lights flashed over an incoming train board and Bob turned
+and walked toward the train gates. Passengers started coming through the
+gate and among the first was the bulky form of Condon Adams. Bob called
+to him and Adams turned aside.
+
+“How’s Tully?” asked Bob, who was really concerned over the condition of
+the young federal agent.
+
+Condon Adams’ face lighted up, for he was genuinely fond of his nephew
+and Bob’s inquiry touched a soft spot.
+
+“Getting along fine,” he said. “Oh, he’s pretty sore and all that, but
+he’ll be able to continue on his assignment in two or three more days.”
+
+“It was a tough break,” said Bob and Adams nodded.
+
+“What’s been going on?” he asked.
+
+“Plenty,” replied Bob. “My uncle was kidnaped earlier this evening.”
+
+Adams dropped his bag and whirled to Bob.
+
+“What’s that?” he demanded, as though unable to believe the words.
+
+“My uncle disappeared this evening and everything points to a kidnaping
+by this gang of smugglers we’re after,” explained Bob.
+
+Condon Adams threw back his head and laughed, but it was a grim sort of
+laugh that sent chills down Bob’s neck.
+
+“Well that’s good,” snorted Adams. “Merritt Hughes, ace federal
+manhunter, kidnaped. I suppose I’ll have to hunt for him now instead of
+the kidnapers.”
+
+“I guess that’s about the size of things,” replied Bob slowly. “I’ve been
+in touch with Washington. I’m to go on south to Atalissa on my original
+assignment and you are to take up the hunt here for him. I’ve already got
+the Jacksonville police on the case. When Tully comes out of the
+hospital, he is to continue to Nira as first ordered.”
+
+“Let’s get some coffee,” said Condon Adams as they walked past the
+entrance of the station restaurant.
+
+The older federal agent slid his traveling bag into a corner and dropped
+down into a chair.
+
+“What a mess to get into,” he said, half to himself and half to Bob. Then
+he looked up.
+
+“Your uncle means quite a lot to you?”
+
+Bob nodded. “You know he does. He got me into the service and he’s pretty
+much of an older brother to me.”
+
+A waitress took their orders before Adams spoke again.
+
+“Then you know how I feel about Tully; he’s kind of a kid brother to me.
+But that’s getting away from what I started to say. Your uncle and I have
+always been rivals in the service. One of us would solve a good case and
+then the other would win on the next one. He’s never liked the way I got
+in through a little political help, but on the whole I’ve done a pretty
+good job. Gosh, I wouldn’t know what to do if anything happened to him to
+take him out of the service.”
+
+“He may be out for good now unless we can find him,” said Bob bitterly.
+
+“That’s just it, and Bob, differences are going to be forgotten for the
+time. Why I wouldn’t be happy if your uncle and I weren’t in some kind of
+a scrap to see who could solve a new case. We’ll find him and we’ll find
+him soon.”
+
+“Then you’ll work a hundred per cent on the case?” asked Bob.
+
+“Day and night,” promised Condon Adams, reaching across the table to
+clasp Bob’s hand firmly in his own and Bob knew that the older agent was
+a man of his word and highly competent in his own peculiar way.
+
+Cups of steaming coffee were set before them as well as the plate of
+doughnuts which Adams had ordered. They attacked the lunch with a will
+and Bob, draining his cup of coffee a few minutes later, caught another
+glimpse of the slender, slouching figure he had seen in the main waiting
+room.
+
+“Don’t turn around,” he said to Adams, “but when we get up, look at the
+little fellow in the dark cap and suit. He’s outside looking in the
+window. I had a feeling in the station he was watching me.”
+
+Condon Adams reached for the checks and stood up. In reaching for his
+traveling bag he was able to turn toward the broad glass window and get a
+good view of the man Bob had described.
+
+“I’ve never seen him before,” said Adams, “but he doesn’t look like a
+very savory character.”
+
+He paid the bill for their lunch and as they stepped out of the
+restaurant and looked for a cab, the man in the dark suit sidled up to
+them.
+
+“You guys federal men?” he asked.
+
+Bob and Condon Adams whirled toward him.
+
+“What of it?” barked Adams.
+
+“I was just askin’. If you are, I’ve got a message for you.”
+
+“Who from?” it was Bob now.
+
+The little man shook his head.
+
+“I don’t know,” he mumbled. “Fellow down on the water front gave me a
+note to give to the federals. Said one of them was at a hotel. When I
+inquired there I learned he’d gone to the station so I came along and
+thought I’d try you.”
+
+He reached for an inner pocket and too late Bob divined what was
+happening. The street they were in was quiet now and suddenly there was
+danger in the air.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXIII
+                            SNAP AIM SCORES
+                                   ★
+
+
+Before Bob could reach for his own gun, the little man had whipped a
+snub-nosed automatic from a shoulder holster under his left shoulder and
+his eyes gleamed in the dim street light.
+
+“How nice of you to tell me you were federals; saved me a lot of trouble.
+Smart guys, aren’t you? Well, get going toward that car on the other side
+and don’t make any bad steps.”
+
+A cold rage gripped Bob. They had fallen into a neat trap and probably
+would soon be as helpless as his uncle, who had been kidnaped earlier in
+the evening. In the meantime, the smugglers would have ample time to run
+in a large sum of gems. Since they were willing to take the desperate
+chance of abducting three federal men, the amount must be tremendous.
+
+Condon Adams started to set down his traveling bag, but a sharp command
+from the little man stopped him.
+
+“Carry that bag and carry it carefully,” he snapped. “You guys are going
+for a long boat ride.”
+
+They walked rapidly across the street. In fact, Bob was in a hurry to
+reach the car. For some reason they had not been searched and if he could
+get inside the sedan he might be able to slip the revolver out of his
+shoulder holster. Condon Adams lagged a little; perhaps suspecting what
+was in Bob’s mind.
+
+The door of the sedan opened as they neared and Bob saw a man slouched at
+the wheel. There was no one else in the car and Bob stepped into the
+sedan, his muscles tense and his nerves cold.
+
+“Stop!” the command was quiet but deadly and Bob halted halfway to the
+seat.
+
+“Back up and back up slow; I’m taking no chances on gunplay.”
+
+The driver of the car sat up quickly.
+
+“Ain’t you searched them, Benny?” he asked.
+
+“Shut up,” snapped the man on the pavement and Bob, stepping back
+gingerly now, caught a glimpse of the man with the gun. There was just a
+chance of success for a desperate play and he took the chance.
+
+The gun in the shoulder holster was unfamiliar as was the holster, but
+Bob was half hidden by the darkness of the interior of the sedan. His
+right hand, moving like a flash, grasped the butt of the gun. Without
+attempting to pull it from the holster, Bob simply elevated the muzzle
+and pulled the trigger.
+
+He fired by instinct as much as anything and a flash of flame stabbed the
+night. On the echo of the shot came a sharp cry and the man on the
+pavement leaped backward, his own gun replying.
+
+Bob fired again and through the haze of smoke and the acrid smell of
+burning cloth saw the little man tumbling. The driver of the car swung
+toward Bob, but before he could get into the scrap, Bob jerked the gun
+from its holster and clubbed him over the head with the barrel. It was a
+savage blow, but he was dealing with men who knew no mercy themselves.
+The driver slumped forward in his seat and Bob, gun in hand, leaped from
+the car.
+
+Condon Adams, who had been able to draw his own weapon, was leaning over
+the man on the street.
+
+“Great work, Bob. I thought they were going to get away with this for a
+while.”
+
+“Is he hurt badly?” asked Bob.
+
+“Well, I don’t think he’s going to be doing any more mischief for a good
+long time. Your first one caught his right shoulder and the second one
+took his left leg—that’s what I’d call disabling a gangster.”
+
+“It was spot shooting. I didn’t have time to aim,” explained Bob.
+
+“Then I hope I’m not the target when you really aim,” said the older
+federal agent.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXIV
+                            AT THE HOSPITAL
+                                   ★
+
+
+A policeman on duty at the station, attracted by the shooting, came on
+the run and Condon Adams flashed his federal badge.
+
+“Get an ambulance and get this man to a hospital. See that a heavy guard
+is placed at his bed. We’ll take the fellow in the car down to the
+central station with us and make a personal report.”
+
+The federal men remained on the scene until an ambulance arrived. In the
+meantime Condon Adams had handcuffed the driver of the car, who was now
+regaining consciousness. He pushed him into the back seat, tossed in his
+own traveling bag, and with Bob driving the car, they started for the
+police station.
+
+The trip was uneventful and they parked the car in front of the station
+where a few hours before Bob had telephoned the news of his uncle’s
+abduction to Washington. The same night captain was on duty and his eyes
+widened when he saw Bob and Condon Adams with their handcuffed prisoner.
+
+Before the policeman could ply them with questions Condon Adams explained
+what had happened.
+
+“Throw this fellow into a solitary cell; I’ll question him after I get
+back from the hospital,” he said.
+
+“What charge shall I book him on?” asked the policeman.
+
+“Attempted abduction of a federal officer,” snapped Adams, who then
+turned toward Bob.
+
+“We’ll get over to the hospital now and see if the fellow you clipped
+with a couple of bullets is ready to talk.”
+
+They hurried outside the station, but Adams stopped short when he saw the
+sedan at the curb.
+
+“I forgot all about the car,” he said. “It’s probably stolen. I’ll report
+it to the captain.”
+
+By the time the older federal agent was back Bob had a cab waiting at the
+curb and they told the driver to speed them to the hospital.
+
+“If we can get either one of these fellows to talk, it may be the break
+that will open up this case,” mused Adams as the cab roared along the now
+almost deserted streets.
+
+They pulled up at the hospital where a dim light glowed over the
+entrance. There was no general admittance at that hour of the night, but
+continued ringing of the bell brought an orderly and they gained
+admission.
+
+Condon Adams revealed their identity to the night supervisor and asked
+the condition of the man who had been brought in.
+
+“He’s resting fairly comfortably,” said the nurse. “The bullet in his
+shoulder has been removed and the one in his leg will be taken out in the
+morning.”
+
+“Case serious?” pressed Adams.
+
+“I wouldn’t say so,” replied the nurse cautiously, leading the way down
+the darkened corridor to a room where the lights were aglow. She opened
+the door and they stepped in, a nurse who had been near the bed rising as
+they entered. A policeman on the other side of the bed did likewise.
+
+“Don’t make him talk too much,” cautioned the night supervisor.
+
+Bob looked at the man who had attempted to kidnap them. His face was thin
+and marred with a sneer.
+
+“You fellows can save your breath. I won’t talk,” he said, an unpleasant
+whine in his voice, and Bob catalogued him as a dangerous man when armed,
+but one who was weak physically.
+
+“We’ll see about that,” said Adams confidently. “The boys down at the
+station are working over the fellow who was driving for you. If you don’t
+talk here, we’ll work you over when you get out.”
+
+Bob knew that was only a threat, but he was interested in the reaction in
+the face of the man on the bed and he saw a weakening of the lines around
+the mouth as though the thought of physical punishment was unnerving.
+
+Condon Adams must have sensed the same thing for he advanced with a
+threatening gesture of his fists and the man on the bed cringed away from
+him.
+
+“You can’t hit me,” he cried.
+
+“Maybe not, but I’d like to,” scowled Adams, and Bob knew that the older
+federal agent was sincere in that.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXV
+                             BOB GETS READY
+                                   ★
+
+
+Adams plied the wounded man with questions, but all of the answers were
+evasive and he finally turned to Bob.
+
+“We’ll let him go for tonight. I’ll come back and see him tomorrow and
+I’ll see him alone. I can make him talk.”
+
+They left the room after admonishing the policeman on guard to remain on
+the alert for any attempt to free the wounded man.
+
+Out in the hallway Condon Adams confessed to his disappointment.
+
+“I thought maybe he’d break and talk. He’s a weakling. I’ll get it out of
+him later.”
+
+“How much later?” asked Bob.
+
+“That’s just it. I don’t know. It may be too late to help in the hunt for
+your uncle.”
+
+Down on the main floor of the hospital once more they telephoned for a
+taxicab and when it appeared, gave the driver orders to go to Bob’s
+hotel. They were silent on the trip back into the heart of the city and
+when they reached the hotel Condon Adams registered for a room on the
+same floor as those of Bob and his uncle.
+
+Bob went directly to his own room and made a final inspection of the
+articles in his Gladstone bag. The rifle and ammunition appeared intact
+and he removed the revolver from the shoulder holster, cleaned it
+carefully and refilled the chambers.
+
+After that was done he inspected his coat. It appeared ruined beyond
+repair for the revolver bullets had torn through the cloth and sparks
+from the burning powder had extended the area of the damage.
+
+Bob removed the suit he had been wearing and got into the comfortable and
+rough and ready corduroys which he had brought with him. He laced up his
+boots and then adjusted the shoulder holster, making sure that it would
+swing free in case he faced any other emergencies similar to the one
+which had confronted them a little more than an hour before.
+
+Condon Adams tapped on the door and then came in.
+
+“About ready to start for Atalissa?” he asked.
+
+Bob nodded.
+
+“I can get a southbound local at 3 a. m. After about three hours I change
+to an accommodation train that finally winds up at Atalissa somewhere
+around noon. Not a very pleasant ride, but I don’t want to attract
+attention either by breezing in there in a car or a boat and as the roads
+are none too good, I think the train is the best bet.”
+
+“How about communications out of the village? You may need help in a
+hurry?”
+
+“I haven’t checked up on them,” confessed Bob.
+
+The older federal agent went to the telephone and after a lengthy
+conversation with the hotel clerk, secured the desired information.
+
+“The telegraph office at the railroad station is open from eight o’clock
+in the morning to five o’clock in the evening. The phone exchange, which
+seems to be pretty much of a one horse affair, closes at nine o’clock in
+the evening. If anything happens after that you’ll have to get the
+operator out of bed in order to get a call through. I’m making my
+headquarters here. Let me know the minute anything turns up.”
+
+“I’ll do that,” promised Bob, who, while he could not exactly warm up to
+Condon Adams, felt sure that the older man would bend every effort toward
+the recovery of his uncle. “I’ll let you know where I can be reached in
+Atalissa so you can get news to me the minute Uncle Merritt is found.”
+
+Condon Adams glanced at his wrist watch.
+
+“You haven’t much time to lose if you’re going to make that southbound
+local.”
+
+Bob looked at his own watch. It was 2:45 o’clock. He closed his Gladstone
+bag and tightened the straps. Condon Adams walked ahead of him into the
+hall and then as far as the elevator.
+
+“Don’t take too many chances, Bob, and keep your chin up. This thing is
+going to come out all right.”
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXVI
+                             “DON’T MOVE!”
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob wished that he could feel the confidence of Condon Adams’ words as he
+stepped into the elevator and dropped toward the main floor. At the desk
+he turned in his room key and then took a taxi to the same station where
+earlier in the night, in company with Condon Adams, he had captured two
+of the suspected gem smugglers.
+
+The young federal agent purchased his ticket for Atalissa and the agent
+cautioned him about the change at the junction. Then Bob picked up his
+bag and walked through the now practically deserted waiting room and out
+into the train shed where a stubby, three car train was waiting for the
+final call of “booo-ard” to start its jerking journey southward. An
+express car and a combination baggage and mail car were behind the engine
+while the rear car was a dimly lighted coach.
+
+Bob climbed up the steps. The seats were of green plush, and halfway up
+the interior of the car was a wooden partition which marked the forward
+end of the coach as the smoking compartment. There were only two people
+in the rear half and Bob turned one seat over so a double seat would be
+available. Then he stuck his ticket in his hat band, folded up his
+corduroy coat for a pillow, and curled up to make the best of the lonely
+trip to Atalissa.
+
+The federal agent had dropped into a light sleep when the train started.
+He roused up long enough to hear it roll over a bridge and then he went
+back to sleep, failing to hear the conductor when he removed the ticket
+from the band of his hat.
+
+The local jerked and stopped and then jerked into motion again. This
+operation was repeated a number of times, but Bob slept heavily through
+it all, for his body was near exhaustion. It was well after dawn when he
+finally moved and he groaned softly as the blood started flowing once
+more through his cramped legs.
+
+Bob sat up and massaged his legs and arms. It was quite clear out now and
+the local was rocking along a desolate stretch of Florida east coast.
+Somewhere along the line the other passengers had left the train and Bob
+was now the only occupant of the coach.
+
+He got up and walked to the water cooler. Fortunately there was an ample
+supply of water and after bathing his face and hands with the cool
+liquid, he felt much refreshed though ravenously hungry.
+
+Up ahead the engineer blasted his whistle for a highway crossing and Bob
+felt the air brakes go on, the old wooden coach jumping around in protest
+as the speed dropped sharply. They clacked over switches and Bob, looking
+ahead, could see a weather beaten station, on the other side of which
+another train was standing. This, he concluded, must be the junction.
+
+The conductor, coming back from the baggage car, gave Bob his train
+check.
+
+“Don’t have many passengers going to Atalissa,” he said. “Them that wants
+to get there usually go by car or boat.”
+
+The local rocked to a creaking halt and Bob, his Gladstone in hand,
+stepped down on the cinder platform.
+
+The accommodation which was to take him the rest of the way to Atalissa
+was on the other side of the station. The engine, an antiquated little
+affair, looked about like a teakettle, but the two freight cars and the
+passenger car on the back end were standard size equipment.
+
+The conductor, in faded blue overalls, looked at Bob’s ticket.
+
+“Guess you’re the only passenger,” he said. “Well, we might as well be
+going.”
+
+“How about breakfast?” asked Bob.
+
+“Hungry?” asked the conductor.
+
+“Just about starved,” confessed Bob.
+
+“Well, we stop at Ainsworth about ten miles down the line. There’s a
+little place there where you can get a bite to eat.”
+
+There appeared to be nothing else to do so Bob climbed up the steps of
+the old wooden coach and put his Gladstone in the first seat at the rear.
+The engineer whistled a wheezy “high ball” and the conductor swung up on
+the back end as the accommodation started its daily run for the seacoast.
+
+The air in the coach was stuffy and Bob found it pleasanter on the rear
+platform, watching the track wind away in the distance and they swung
+around curves and chugged their way up steep grades. It seemed incredible
+that in such a peaceful appearing country there must be located the
+headquarters for a relentless band of smugglers.
+
+The second stop of the accommodation that morning was at Ainsworth and as
+the train slowed down for the station, the conductor came back and spoke
+to Bob.
+
+“We’ll be here about fifteen minutes. That ought to give you time enough
+to get something to eat. Restaurant’s right back of the station.”
+
+Bob estimated that Ainsworth must be a village of some two hundred souls
+and he was dubious about the quality of the food which he would obtain,
+but when he stepped inside the eating house he was agreeably surprised by
+the cleanliness and an elderly woman took his order with pleasing
+promptness.
+
+Bob took a cold cereal, and ate it with relish while eggs and bacon
+sputtered on a stove in the kitchen. When they were ready he ordered
+coffee and several doughnuts.
+
+“Don’t need to hurry too much, they won’t go away without you,” reassured
+the woman who waited on him.
+
+But Bob finished in ample time to enjoy a leisurely walk back to the
+train. When he reentered the day coach he was surprised to find another
+occupant, a large, heavy-boned man with a faded mustache and thinning
+hair. What surprised Bob even more was to see a badge on the other’s vest
+and he strolled forward through the car. His eyes opened a little wider
+when he saw that the badge worn by the other said, “Sheriff.”
+
+The water cooler was a convenient place to stop and Bob, studying the
+other man in leisure, drank two cups of water.
+
+Suddenly the sheriff spoke.
+
+“Now that you’ve about sized me up, what’s on your mind, Bud?”
+
+Bob almost fell over backwards for he had tried to make his observation
+of the other man altogether casual.
+
+“Nothing,” he managed to reply, but the word failed to carry conviction.
+
+“Not trying to dodge the law, are you?” asked the sheriff, and Bob
+noticed that a perfectly capable looking gun was holstered under the
+other’s right shoulder.
+
+“No,” said Bob.
+
+“Then why are you carrying a gun?”
+
+Bob started, almost guiltily, and his face flushed.
+
+“That,” he retorted, “is none of your business.”
+
+After the words were out he could almost have bitten his tongue in two
+for if the sheriff pressed him for an answer, he would be forced to
+reveal his identity and such things as local sheriffs being involved in
+crime was not altogether unknown.
+
+“I’m making it my business right now,” snapped the older man and before
+Bob could move, a gun appeared in the other’s hands.
+
+“Put up your hands and turn around. Do it slowly and you won’t be hurt,
+but if you make one false move, I’ll let you have it.”
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXVII
+                         SHERIFF McCURDY TALKS
+                                   ★
+
+
+There was nothing else for Bob to do and with his hands raised high above
+his head, he turned slowly and faced the water cooler. He could imagine
+how Tully Ross would have chuckled if he could have seen his predicament
+now.
+
+Firm hands whisked the gun out of the shoulder holster and Bob heard the
+sheriff step back.
+
+“Turn around slowly now, but keep your hands up.”
+
+Bob obeyed the command and the sheriff waved him toward a seat on the
+opposite side of the car.
+
+“Now that you’ve got my gun, you’d better let me explain,” said Bob.
+
+“You can do your explaining in jail,” retorted the sheriff. “No big-town
+gunman is going to run another trick on me.”
+
+The last words were said with grim determination and Bob saw the
+sheriff’s jaw muscles tighten.
+
+“Turn up the lapel of my coat and you’ll find that you’re making a
+mistake,” pressed Bob. “I’m an agent of the bureau of investigation of
+the United States Department of Justice.”
+
+“You’re just a kid,” scoffed the older officer.
+
+“Turn up the lapel of my coat and see what’s there. This thing has gone
+far enough,” insisted Bob.
+
+There was something in Bob’s voice which forced the sheriff to act and he
+reached over cautiously and turned up the lapel of Bob’s coat. The small
+badge which was revealed there brought an instant change in his attitude
+and he lowered the gun which he held in his hands.
+
+“Looks like I’ve made a bad mistake,” he said. “I’m sorry, but after what
+I’ve been through you can’t blame me.”
+
+The sheriff, who introduced himself as Abel McCurdy, handed the gun back
+to Bob and the federal agent, after breaking open the gun and looking at
+the chambers, returned it to his shoulder holster.
+
+“What’s happened?” asked Bob, for he recalled that only a minute earlier
+the sheriff hinted at some trick of which he had been the victim.
+
+“Oh, it’s kind of a crazy story and I don’t suppose it would interest a
+federal man,” replied the older officer.
+
+“I’m interested in anything that’s going on around here,” said Bob.
+
+“Then you may run right smack into trouble,” cautioned the other, and he
+shook his head a little sadly. “That’s what was the matter with me—too
+interested in other people’s business.”
+
+“Tell me what happened,” pressed Bob, for he had a feeling that in some
+way or another the sheriff might be connected with the smugglers who were
+known to be operating around Atalissa.
+
+“There’s been some strange things going on along the coast,” began the
+sheriff, “and I’ve been trying to figure them out, but I didn’t have much
+luck until last night when I was south of Atalissa. A big touring car
+came roaring along the road and I stopped it. Car was going too fast.”
+
+“What happened?” asked Bob.
+
+“Too much,” admitted the sheriff. “Fellow driving got out, but when he
+did he had a machine gun in his hands and I wasn’t any match for that
+even though I’m a pretty good shot with a revolver. He handcuffed me with
+my own handcuffs and made me get into the back seat and then drove off
+like mad. After a while he stopped and blindfolded me, and then went on
+for a time.”
+
+“What did he look like?” asked Bob.
+
+“Well, he was kind of short and heavy, I’d say.” The sheriff went on with
+his description of the man who had kidnaped him and before he was through
+Bob was convinced that the other was Joe Hamsa.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXVIII
+                                THEORIES
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob felt it was time to reveal his real mission to the seacoast and in
+clear, brief words he told the sheriff why he had come down from
+Washington and what had gone on since he had started south.
+
+“You mean to say they had the nerve to kidnap your uncle, a federal
+agent?” asked the sheriff.
+
+“I’m sure they have him and the only thing we know is that the start away
+from Jacksonville was made by boat.”
+
+The sheriff nodded.
+
+“That would be a good way. Why, I can think of half a hundred good places
+to hide a man along this section of the coast.” Then the sheriff went on
+to explain that shortly before dawn he had been dumped unceremoniously
+out of the sedan after being released from the handcuffs.
+
+“Can you remember any stops?” asked Bob.
+
+“Only one. We must have been very close to the ocean, for I was sure I
+could hear the sound of the surf.”
+
+“Any idea in what direction you traveled?”
+
+“Nothing that would help much. I was about two miles from Ainsworth when
+I was dumped out, and I went in there and got another gun and then
+decided to take the train to Atalissa for I was only about a mile from
+there when I was kidnaped last night.”
+
+“Did you hear anything unusual when you stopped where you thought you
+could hear the surf?” pressed on Bob.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy was silent for a time.
+
+“Yes, there was one thing—a humming that was faint and then increased in
+strength and finally died away.”
+
+“It might have been a ’plane,” suggested Bob.
+
+“Why, I hadn’t thought of that. Sure, that’s just what it sounded like.”
+
+“The driver of the car got out and came back a little after.”
+
+“After the humming had died away?”
+
+“That’s right,” agreed the sheriff.
+
+Bob was elated at this news. He felt that even before his arrival at
+Atalissa he had stumbled upon a real clue and he hoped upon a worthy aid
+in the doughty southern sheriff.
+
+“Then he went on, later dumping you out of the car?” pressed Bob.
+
+The sheriff agreed.
+
+“He was none too gentle in dumping me out,” complained the sheriff. “I’d
+just like to get my hands on him for a few minutes. Believe me, I’d make
+his bones ache.”
+
+There was no question about the irritation or the sincerity of the
+officer and Bob couldn’t help but suppress a chuckle, for he believed the
+sheriff perfectly capable of manhandling Joe Hamsa.
+
+Bob felt that the time had come to be perfectly frank with the sheriff.
+
+“I’m down here on a smuggling case,” he explained. “I’m going to need
+your help and I may need it badly.”
+
+Then he went on to relate in detail everything that had taken place since
+he had left Washington, revealing even the kidnaping of his uncle. When
+he was through the sheriff whistled through his whiskers.
+
+“I’ve kind of suspected that something queer was going on south of
+Atalissa, but there were no complaints and I never was able to pick up
+anything. You think the fellow who kidnaped me was the man on the train
+with you when you came south?”
+
+“From your description, I’m positive it was Hamsa,” replied Bob.
+
+“Then he’s a tough customer if he escaped from that river and got down
+here so rapidly.”
+
+“One thing we’ve got to remember,” cautioned Bob, “is that the gang is
+compact and apparently extremely well organized.”
+
+The sheriff was silent for a time.
+
+“Think that plane landing last night might have brought in smuggled
+gems?”
+
+“I don’t know,” confessed Bob. “Everyone in the department has a feeling
+that the gang is pointing toward one more big smuggling operation. If the
+gems had come in last night I have a feeling that more than one man would
+have been with Hamsa to get them. It just doesn’t seem logical that one
+man, even though he might be the leader of the gang, would handle this
+end of the game. I’d be more inclined to think the contact last night was
+for the purpose of making final plans.”
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXIX
+                               MORE CLUES
+                                   ★
+
+
+The sheriff turned this over in his mind for some time as the train
+rumbled along the rough right-of-way. Then he nodded and agreed with Bob.
+
+“Looks like you’re right. That means we may be in for a busy time when
+the actual contact is attempted.”
+
+“We’ll be busy enough, if we can learn where the contact will be made,”
+retorted the young federal agent.
+
+“What about your uncle?” asked the sheriff.
+
+The exultation which had marked Bob’s features vanished.
+
+“I don’t honestly know. From the reputation of this gang I should fear
+the worst, but for some reason I have unbounded faith in my uncle’s
+ability to take care of himself in a crisis. The last we knew was that he
+disappeared from the waterfront and shortly after that a motorboat sped
+down the river.”
+
+“Then if a big smuggling operation is under way, it’s just possible that
+he might be brought down here,” argued the sheriff.
+
+“He might be taken to their hideout,” agreed Bob, “but so far our men
+have no real clue to that.”
+
+“We may be able to pick up something at Atalissa,” said the sheriff.
+“I’ve a number of friends there who may be able to give me information
+you never could get.”
+
+As the accommodation jogged toward the coast, the country became wilder
+and they rumbled across narrow bridges that spanned bayous and salt
+streams. Undergrowth was thick and almost jungle-like. They were in one
+of the wildest sections of the Florida coast—uninviting, inhospitable,
+and for years the hideout for lawbreakers of various kinds.
+
+The brakes went on sharply and the little train swung around a curve as
+the wheels shrieked a protest. Looking ahead, Bob could see a huddle of
+houses around a large bayou. Beyond that was a narrow opening and further
+out a glimpse of the blue Atlantic. This, then, must be Atalissa, his
+present destination.
+
+The sheriff stood up, and looked at his watch.
+
+“Lucky trip this morning,” he declared. “Usually the local has a couple
+of derailments.”
+
+The train pulled up before a dilapidated station and Bob and the sheriff
+stepped down on a rough plank platform. The only others visible were the
+train crew and the station agent.
+
+“Town looks quiet,” said the sheriff as they started down the one street
+which was flanked on one side by the clear waters of the bayou and on the
+other by a long line of buildings, some of them stores and the others
+places of residence.
+
+The first building, a story and a half structure, was a barber shop and
+the sheriff turned in here.
+
+“Morning, sheriff,” said the barber.
+
+“Morning, Emil,” replied the sheriff. “Want you to meet a friend of mine,
+Bob Houston. Northerner. He’s down for a few days loafing and maybe a
+little fishing. Know anything new?”
+
+The barber, inclined to stoutness and baldness, shook his head.
+
+“Not even any good fishing left,” he sighed.
+
+“Everybody behavin’?” asked the sheriff.
+
+“Just what are you driving at?” the barber asked.
+
+“Nothing special; just thought you might have heard of something,”
+grinned the sheriff.
+
+“Matter of fact, I have,” retorted the barber. “Somebody’s been flying
+around here the last couple of nights with a plane of some kind.”
+
+“That ain’t so unusual, is it?” asked the sheriff. “We’ve been used to
+all kinds of things along this coast.”
+
+“Well, that wasn’t so strange, but this morning when I was fishing down
+in Harpey’s bayou a boat came through there so fast it was nothing but a
+black streak and a flash of spray. Blamed thing must have been doing
+forty an hour.”
+
+Bob’s eyes glinted.
+
+“Where did it go?”
+
+“Now I was only in a rowboat and I wouldn’t know where a speed boat
+went,” replied the barber. Then, seeing the chagrin on Bob’s face, he
+added, “I’d almost be willing to bet that it was heading for Lost
+Island.”
+
+Bob saw a queer expression flit across the sheriff’s face.
+
+“I might have known that’s where such a boat would be going,” he groaned.
+“Why couldn’t it be toward some other island?”
+
+“I wouldn’t know,” grinned the barber, who sensed that the sheriff was in
+Atalissa on some important mission. Bob saw the barber scanning his coat
+and he wondered if the gun in the shoulder holster was visible. If it
+was, it would reveal instantly that he was an officer, and not the
+vacationer that the sheriff had pictured him to be.
+
+“Guess we’ll be getting a boat and heading south,” said the sheriff.
+“Just don’t say anything to anyone else on what you saw this morning.”
+
+“Not a word, sheriff,” said the barber, and they left the small shop.
+
+“Queer fellow,” nodded the sheriff as they proceeded down the street
+toward a wharf. “He knows everything that’s going on and he protects a
+lot of people, but when some outsiders come in and start breaking the
+law, I can always figure he’ll tell me the truth.”
+
+“What do you make of it?” asked Bob.
+
+“I’d say that the more men you can get in here, the better it will be.
+Emil knows something queer is going on at Lost Island and it was just his
+way of telling me to get there in a hurry. But I don’t like that place.
+It’s too lonesome and it’s so big a man can get lost on it for days.”
+
+“I didn’t know there were any islands that large along here,” replied
+Bob.
+
+“It isn’t actually an island,” explained the sheriff, “but there’s water
+on three sides of it and it’s swampy and about as dismal as the last
+place on earth. Always been a favorite hiding place for men trying to get
+away from the law.”
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXX
+                            READY FOR ACTION
+                                   ★
+
+
+At the wharf the sheriff dickered for the rental of a boat and a 20-foot
+craft with a sturdy four cylinder motor was secured. There was nothing
+speedy about it, but it looked eminently safe.
+
+“We may be gone a couple of nights. I know where I can get some duffel
+and grub. You’d better send word for more of your men to get in here,”
+said the sheriff, and while he went in quest of the camping supplies, Bob
+walked back to the station.
+
+He had been warned to use extreme caution in sending out any messages
+from Atalissa, but there was no time to drive to another town and he
+preferred to telegraph rather than to telephone.
+
+The message went in code and it took him some time to compose it. Very
+briefly he outlined what he had learned from the sheriff, concluding,
+“Now believe Merritt Hughes has been brought to Lost Island and that
+attempt to bring in large amount of gems will be made soon.”
+
+Bob did not leave the old depot until the telegram was humming over the
+wires on its way to Washington. Then he returned to the wharf and found
+the sheriff waiting.
+
+“We’ll start at once,” said the officer. “I’ve got a snack put up for our
+lunch and we’ll eat on the way. Save time.”
+
+Bob stepped into the bow of the boat where the sheriff had stowed away
+the federal agent’s large bag and the officer jumped into the stern. The
+motor was turning over smoothly. The sheriff threw in the clutch and they
+moved away.
+
+The young federal agent looked back at the sleepy village which was
+strung along the bayou. The barber came out of his shop and waved at them
+and the man on the wharf, from whom they had rented the boat, watched
+them, his hands shielding his eyes from the glaring rays of the mid-day
+sun.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy headed the boat toward the seaway, but before they
+reached it swung it sharply to the right and they chugged through a
+narrow passageway that twisted and turned interminably.
+
+“How under the sun can you find your way through all this maze of
+channels?” asked Bob, understanding now why it was an ideal spot to carry
+on smuggling operations.
+
+“Been in this country all my life,” explained the sheriff, “but once in a
+while I get lost. Then I usually just sit still until someone hunts me
+up.”
+
+A larger expanse of water opened ahead of them.
+
+“Harpey’s bayou,” said the sheriff. “This is where Emil was fishing when
+that black speed boat came through.”
+
+The sheriff put the rudder bar between his legs and unwrapped a package
+which had been resting on the floor boards in the bottom of the boat.
+Inside were half a dozen thick sandwiches, heavily laden with butter and
+with generous slices of cold ham between the bread.
+
+They ate the sandwiches as the launch chugged through the quiet waters of
+Harpey’s bayou.
+
+The sheriff produced a jug of cold water and after a deep drink apiece,
+they nosed the boat out of the bayou and into another twisting channel,
+which, while deep, was heavily overgrown with trees which arched above
+the water until they formed a perfect tunnel.
+
+The air was cool and dank and Bob shuddered involuntarily as he thought
+of the loneliness which would descend upon such an area when the sun went
+down.
+
+“How far is it to Lost Island?” he asked the sheriff.
+
+“Depends on just which part we’re going to. The nearest point is about
+eight miles from here.”
+
+They went on for some distance without speaking, the sheriff devoting
+practically all of his time to watching the channel.
+
+A little more than half an hour later he shut off the engine and
+skillfully guided the boat into a backwater where they would not be
+visible from the main channel.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy dropped the heavy piece of iron which served as an anchor
+overboard and Bob was surprised to note that the water was at least eight
+or nine feet deep.
+
+“Better look over your guns. We may need them in a hurry,” advised the
+sheriff.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXXI
+                          A BOAT FLASHES PAST
+                                   ★
+
+
+Bob got out his Gladstone bag and opened it, removing the case which held
+his rifle.
+
+He assembled the gun and filled the magazine with shells. Placing it
+against his shoulder, he aimed at a spot some distance away when a sharp
+call from the sheriff stopped the steady pressure of his finger on the
+trigger.
+
+“Don’t take any chances with a shot now giving an alarm to anyone,” he
+warned. “Remember that the men who hide out down here are all wary of any
+gunshots.”
+
+Bob lowered the gun and he knew that his cheeks were burning for, had he
+thought of the possible result, he would not have attempted a practice
+shot or two.
+
+The sheriff, probing his own roll of duffel, unearthed a serviceable
+looking gun.
+
+“Borrowed this from the barber,” he grinned. “It isn’t quite as fancy a
+gun as yours but it will carry well and I’ve used it once or twice
+before, so I’m used to handling it.”
+
+The sheriff drew out his pipe and lighted it, settling back against the
+gunwale.
+
+“Aren’t we going on?” asked Bob.
+
+“Not much use right now,” replied the officer. “We’d be spotted in a
+minute. We’ll wait until dusk. Then we can cruise along the island.
+They’ll be sure to have a fire of some kind for the nights are getting
+chilly.”
+
+Bob knew that the sheriff was right, but the thought of inactivity while
+his uncle was in the hands of gangsters galled his active spirit.
+However, he made the best of it and tried to doze.
+
+An hour slipped away when the exhaust of a motorboat, evidently coming at
+high speed, echoed through the lowlands.
+
+The sheriff sat up quickly, glanced at his rifle, and then picked up an
+oar and paddled their boat closer toward a thicket so that they were well
+hidden from the channel which passed within a short distance of the bayou
+where they had sought temporary refuge.
+
+The noise of the oncoming boat was clearer.
+
+“Coming fast,” grunted the sheriff, balancing his rifle in his hands.
+
+Bob, crouched in the bow, saw a gray boat shoot into sight in the main
+channel. It was not more than 200 feet away and only one man was in the
+boat. With a start he recognized the crouched figure of Joe Hamsa. Then
+the gray speeder was gone, only a broad, spreading wake remaining to mark
+its passage.
+
+The federal agent turned to the sheriff.
+
+“We’ve got to follow him. That was Joe Hamsa.”
+
+The sheriff shook his head.
+
+“We’re not following him now; still too light. Besides I know he’s headed
+for the island. Listen to him go!”
+
+The roar of the exhaust gradually died away and the sheriff turned to
+Bob.
+
+“You’re sure that was your man?”
+
+“Positive,” replied Bob.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy looked at his borrowed rifle once more and Bob saw the
+deep lines of the peace officer’s face tighten.
+
+They remained for another hour in the seclusion of the small bayou and
+before they started out again the shadows were deepening and the warmth
+of the afternoon was vanishing.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy started the motor of their boat and Bob pulled up the
+mud-covered anchor. With the motor throttle well down they started for
+Lost Island and Bob was thankful that their boat had an underwater
+exhaust which it was almost impossible to hear.
+
+After leaving the shelter of the bayou, Sheriff McCurdy operated their
+boat with extreme caution and just before they came within sight of Lost
+Island he stopped the boat and spoke to Bob.
+
+“We may be poking our heads into a hornet’s nest,” he warned. “Want to go
+on or wait until additional federal men can get to Atalissa and we can
+bring them down here?”
+
+“That might be too late,” decided Bob. “We’ll go on.”
+
+The sheriff started the motor and once more they were in forward motion,
+the bow of their small boat knifing its way through the waters of a
+larger lagoon.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXII
+                           LOST ISLAND AHEAD
+                                   ★
+
+
+Ahead of them lay a long, low mass of tangled undergrowth.
+
+“Lost Island,” said the sheriff cryptically and Bob felt his blood
+beating faster. It was toward this spot that the black speed boat sighted
+by the barber had been going and it was also toward this spot that Joe
+Hamsa had been hurrying in the gray motorboat.
+
+The motor of their own boat died suddenly and Bob looked toward the
+sheriff, whose face was still dimly discernible in the faint light.
+
+“No more noise; we’ll use oars from now on.”
+
+Bob helped put the oars in their sockets. There were two pairs and they
+bent their backs to the task of rowing.
+
+“This may be an all night job,” grunted the sheriff, “but it will be
+worth it if I can catch up with the fellow who threw me out of the car
+last night.”
+
+The boat, although not large, was heavy and in less than half an hour Bob
+had blisters on both hands and his back ached mightily.
+
+“Ease up a bit,” advised the sheriff. “We’ll drift along here and rest.”
+
+Bob welcomed the chance to straighten up and he let the oars rest in the
+oarlocks while he stood up in the boat.
+
+A flicker of light to the left caught his eye and he spoke quietly to the
+sheriff.
+
+“There’s a light to your left,” he said. “Stand up and look at it.”
+
+Sheriff McCurdy stood up in the stern.
+
+“I expected something like this,” he grunted. “Might as well rest a bit,
+though, for I’ve too many kinks in my back now to think of a good scrap.”
+
+The boat drifted gently and the sheriff told what he knew about the
+island.
+
+“This is one of the highest parts,” he explained, “and one of the driest.
+Not much swamp right here and the footing should be good. On the other
+side there’s an old pier and a sort of hunting house that was built years
+ago by some northerners. I expect we’ll find the men we want over there.”
+
+Bob was too impatient to rest very long, and at his insistence, they took
+up the oars again and turned the bow of their boat toward shore.
+
+Moving like a shadow and with as little noise, they guided their craft in
+toward the island. The bow stuck in soft mud three or four feet from the
+shore and the sheriff grunted his distaste.
+
+“We’ll have to wade in,” he complained. “I’ll get wet and that will make
+my rheumatism bad again.”
+
+Bob dropped their anchor over into the mud and the sheriff stuck two of
+the spark plugs from the motor in his pocket, effectively disabling the
+boat from use.
+
+With Bob in the lead, they dropped over the side. The muck and ooze was
+cold and slimy and Bob felt his legs plowing in about six inches of the
+clammy stuff. Fortunately they were ashore in about four long strides.
+
+They paused long enough to loosen the guns in their shoulder holsters and
+to look at the safeties on their rifles. Then, with the sheriff in the
+lead, they started for the far side of the narrow island.
+
+There was plenty of underbrush, but the ground was firm, and by treading
+cautiously, they made progress without making much noise.
+
+From a little knoll which they ascended they could look down on the other
+side of the island and the light which Bob had seen from a distance was
+plainly visible.
+
+It was a torch of some kind and was apparently mounted on a rather tall
+pole, for the flame flickered in the light breeze which was sweeping in
+from the open sea.
+
+Moving even more cautiously than before, Bob and the sheriff started down
+for the camp which they knew must be in the blackness beyond the light.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXIII
+                            OUT OF THE NIGHT
+                                   ★
+
+
+It was a dismal adventure and it took real courage to move even another
+step forward, but Bob was driven on by the thought that his uncle might
+be on the island and that success tonight would bring about his return
+and smash the ring of smugglers he had been assigned to break up.
+
+As they neared the light it was plain that the flare was mounted on a
+pole about twenty feet tall and Bob stopped the sheriff.
+
+“That looks like a beacon for a plane,” he muttered.
+
+“If it is, it fits in with your theory that they’ll land the smuggled
+gems by plane,” replied Sheriff McCurdy.
+
+They went on, treading easily and giving the circle of light cast by the
+flare a wide birth.
+
+Against the blackness of the waters of a broad bayou which flanked the
+other side of Lost Island loomed the outline of a ramshackle structure
+and though the windows appeared to be boarded up, faint rays of light
+crept through a number of cracks. Bob half stumbled on a stick and the
+noise brought the quick baying of a hound.
+
+“We’re in for it now,” said the sheriff, and Bob felt that trouble, and
+serious trouble, was just ahead.
+
+A door in the house was thrown open and against the oblong of light could
+be seen the silhouette of a man. Then he stepped out into the night, to
+be followed by a second man, stockier and heavier than the first.
+
+“Stay down,” whispered the sheriff. “Maybe they’ll miss us. We don’t want
+trouble now.”
+
+Before the men could leave the shelter of the house, the low drone of an
+incoming plane could be heard. Bob turned toward the east. A red and
+green light, marking the wing tips of a plane, were visible. The craft
+was low and evidently coming in fast.
+
+Even above the noise of the plane, they could hear a shouted command near
+the old house, and one of the men who had stepped outside turned on a
+flash light and raced toward the pier, some distance away. He was
+followed, at a slower pace by the second man.
+
+“That’s Hamsa, I’m sure,” said Bob.
+
+“Let’s get inside and see if anyone is there,” said Sheriff McCurdy and
+they moved around so that the house was between them and the pier.
+
+Landing lights of the plane blinked on as it circled over them and once
+the powerful beams swept down on the clearing, but Bob and the Sheriff,
+anticipating that, had dropped to the ground behind an old log and were
+safe, for the moment, from discovery.
+
+“Must be either a seaplane or an amphibian,” said Bob as the plane
+prepared to alight on the water.
+
+“Get inside,” urged the sheriff, who would feel better when he had some
+shelter.
+
+The two men on the pier were concentrating their attention on the plane
+swinging over the lagoon and the hound which had sounded the alarm was
+beside them, so it was a comparatively simple matter for Bob to jump
+across the threshold.
+
+Inside the door, where only an oil lamp cast faint illumination, he
+crouched with his rifle in his hands, accustoming his eyes to the light.
+There was, apparently, no one in the room.
+
+He spoke softly to the sheriff, who was waiting just outside.
+
+“All clear; come on!”
+
+With one bound the sheriff was inside and like Bob he had his rifle ready
+for instant action.
+
+Squinting between cracks in the wall, the sheriff watched the action in
+the lagoon. The plane smacked the surface of the water sharply and came
+to rest several hundred feet from the end of the old pier. The men
+waiting there put out in a motorboat, making directly for the plane,
+which was bobbing around on the waves which it had stirred up in the
+quiet waters.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXIV
+                             IN THE SHANTY
+                                   ★
+
+
+Sheriff McCurdy turned from the wall and watched Bob open the door to the
+second room. He saw the young federal agent drop to his knees and his gun
+clatter while a choked sob escaped from Bob’s lips.
+
+The sheriff crossed the room in several bounds and bent down over Bob,
+who was kneeling beside the bound and gagged figure of a man.
+
+Without asking questions, the sheriff handed Bob a knife and the ropes
+and gag were slashed.
+
+“Uncle Merritt, Uncle Merritt,” cried Bob. “Speak to me.” There was
+desperation in his voice.
+
+Merritt Hughes opened his eyes and tried to smile. His lips and tongue
+were swollen from the gag, but the expression in his eyes gave Bob
+courage.
+
+“We’d better get him out of here,” said Bob. “They’ll be back and we
+won’t be ready for them.”
+
+Before they could turn, a harsh laugh echoed through the room and the
+heavy voice of Joe Hamsa lashed at them.
+
+“You’re not going any place, boys, except where I want you to and you’ll
+never return from there.”
+
+Bob started to move, but a quick command from Hamsa stopped him.
+
+“Don’t move kid. I’ve got a machine gun on you and my finger is nervous.
+Turn around slowly and don’t either one of you try any gunplay.”
+
+They started to turn slowly when Bob was amazed by a quick gesture of his
+uncle’s. Hidden in the heavy shadow of the little room which adjoined the
+larger one, he reached up and like a flash seized the revolver which was
+in the shoulder holster. There wasn’t even the rustle of Bob’s coat as
+the gun was whisked away and Bob continued to turn slowly toward Hamsa.
+
+The man who had claimed to be a diamond salesman was standing in the
+doorway, a machine gun in his hands. Behind him was a man with a scar,
+whom Bob recognized from the descriptions obtained in Jacksonville must
+have been the abductor of his uncle. To the rear of these two was a
+slender chap, little older than Bob and with a thin face. He was in a
+flyer’s outfit and in his hands carried a soft leather case.
+
+“Get their guns, Rap,” barked Hamsa, and the man with the scar came
+forward, his hands patting the sheriff for weapons. The gun was taken
+from the shoulder holster and the rifle was tossed across the room.
+
+The man known as Rap then turned to Bob and his hands found the empty
+holster.
+
+“Gun’s gone,” said Rap flatly and without expression.
+
+“Where?” demanded Hamsa.
+
+“Lost in the brush,” fibbed Bob.
+
+The answer seemed to satisfy them and Rap took the rifle from Bob’s
+hands.
+
+“Take this gun and keep those fellows covered while Curt and I check over
+the stuff he brought in,” ordered Hamsa, handing his weapon to Rap while
+the fellow, whom he had called Curt, strode into the room and placed his
+black leather case on the rough table.
+
+Bob gasped as the velvet lined case was opened and scores of gleaming
+diamonds were revealed. A king’s fortune was spread on the table in front
+of them and Hamsa, an ugly light in his eyes, looked at his captives.
+
+“So you federal men thought you were smart enough for Joe Hamsa?” he
+chortled. “Well, this is your last assignment. You’ve seen me and you’ve
+seen how we bring in the stuff. This is my last job. I’ll make a cool
+million on it. Think it over.”
+
+He turned back to the pile of gems and ran them through his stubby
+fingers, gloating at the wealth that was on the table.
+
+“What are we going to do now?” asked Curt.
+
+“Sink your plane and the gray boat. We’ll use the black one for a getaway
+and we’ll burn this place before we leave.”
+
+“How about the federal men?” The flyer gestured toward Bob and the
+others.
+
+“Maybe we’ll sink them, too,” said Hamsa and there was deadly mirth in
+his words.
+
+The man known as Rap started to laugh, but a sharp explosion back of Bob
+turned the laugh into a sob and Rap, gasping for breath, sank to the
+floor.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXXV
+                          REVERSING THE TABLES
+                                   ★
+
+
+Hamsa whirled toward the officers, a gun in his right hand. Before he
+could use it, there was another explosion and Hamsa reeled back against
+the wall, his right arm hanging limp and useless, the gun which it had
+held falling to the floor.
+
+“Don’t move!” The command was low and husky, but there was authority in
+the words and Bob, out of the corner of one eye, saw his uncle step out
+of the small room to the rear. From this position of advantage he had
+disabled Rap, the machine gunner, and wounded Hamsa. Curt, the flyer, had
+his hands in the air.
+
+“Pick up their guns, Bob,” commanded his uncle and Bob picked up the
+machine gun and the revolver Hamsa had dropped.
+
+“Search them!”
+
+This time the sheriff stepped forward and with hands long experienced in
+that kind of work, searched even the hats of the others. A gun was taken
+from the flyer and a stubby but deadly pistol from Rap. These were placed
+on the table beside the glittering pile of diamonds.
+
+“Got any handcuffs, sheriff?” asked Bob’s uncle after the young federal
+agent introduced his ally.
+
+Two small, compact pairs were produced from the capacious pockets of the
+peace officer. One pair was snapped on Hamsa and the other on Curt and
+Rap.
+
+While Bob and his uncle went about the task of giving first aid to Rap
+and Hamsa, the sheriff went down to the old wharf to inspect the boats.
+
+When he returned, the bandaging was done, for neither wound was serious.
+
+“We can start any time you want to,” he informed the federal men.
+
+“Take these fellows down. We’ll be along shortly,” replied Merritt
+Hughes, and when Hamsa and his allies had been led away by the sheriff,
+he sat down on one side of the table and motioned for Bob to take a seat
+opposite him.
+
+“Let’s hear your side of the story, Bob,” said his uncle as he sat down,
+massaging the red marks which the tightly tied ropes had made on his
+hands.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXVI
+                           UNTANGLING THE WEB
+                                   ★
+
+
+It was a strange setting, the rays from the kerosene lamp on the table
+throwing a soft glow over the diamonds which were still heaped on the
+black velvet.
+
+Bob was anxious to tell his own story, but first he wanted to know about
+his uncle.
+
+“Sure you’re all right?” he asked.
+
+“Oh, my arms and legs are still a little numb and I can’t talk any too
+well, but I’m coming around fast now.”
+
+Bob launched into a detailed explanation of all of the events which had
+taken place since the disappearance of his uncle in Jacksonville.
+
+“Luckiest thing that ever happened to me was when I ran into the
+sheriff,” he said.
+
+“No doubt about it,” agreed his uncle. Then he went on, “The men we
+captured tonight are the brains of the gang. From what Hamsa said after
+he got here this afternoon I gathered that two more members of the gang
+were picked up by you and Condon Adams last night.”
+
+“That’s right,” said Bob. “But I can’t figure out how Hamsa got down here
+so soon and I thought he’d never get out of the river he fell into on the
+way down from Washington.”
+
+“Hamsa is a tough customer,” said Merritt Hughes. “He has a tremendous
+physique and was able to swim to shore. Then he chartered a private plane
+and came south.”
+
+“They’ve been running in the diamonds by plane all the time,” said Bob.
+
+“Curt has been their pilot. He’s got a fast amphibian and last night he
+made contact with Hamsa near Atalissa and informed him that a large
+consignment would be delivered tonight. They were careful to make only
+the contacts with the smuggled gems here to keep suspicions away from
+this island.”
+
+“Where did Curt get the gems?” Bob wanted to know.
+
+“They were brought over from Europe aboard tramp steamers. Curt would
+contact the ships well off the coast and then fly the smuggled stuff in
+at night. They were careful about the type of gems they brought in. Why
+these diamonds on the table could be sold almost any place without
+suspicion. In fact, Hamsa actually went around the country peddling them
+to customers who had no idea that they were smuggled property.”
+
+Bob, leaning back in his chair, looked at his uncle.
+
+“You must have been brought directly here,” he said.
+
+“Just as fast as the fellow they call Rap could get me here. Hamsa had
+been in Washington. Somehow he got wind that Department of Justice men
+were being put on his trail and he learned that Adams and I had been sent
+south. It was up to Rap to get us out of the way. Then Hamsa came down
+and it was just luck that he met you and Tully on the train. What looked
+like a bad situation for us turned out all right.”
+
+Bob chuckled.
+
+“Won’t Tully be sore when he learns that the whole case has been cleared
+up without him getting even as far as Jacksonville.”
+
+“I wouldn’t worry about Tully, Bob. This is another feather in your cap.
+Just keep plugging away and you’ll get toward the top in the Department
+mighty fast.”
+
+Merritt Hughes bent down and gathered up the smuggled gems, wrapping them
+in the velvet and replacing them in the leather case.
+
+“We might as well destroy this place so that it will no longer be used
+for such purposes,” he said, and as he stepped out of the door behind Bob
+he aimed a shot at the kerosene lamp. A sheet of flame spread through the
+interior of the shanty and the dry wood crackled lustily as the fire ate
+into it.
+
+The glow of the burning shanty illuminated the clearing and they found
+their way easily to the old wharf where Sheriff McCurdy and his prisoners
+were waiting for them. Further out the amphibian was drifting at its
+anchor.
+
+“We’ll have to leave that for another trip,” smiled Merritt Hughes.
+“Sheriff, let’s start for town. I’m hungry and sleepy.”
+
+With their three captives in the bow, Bob and his uncle just behind them
+and the sheriff at the wheel at the rear, they started out of the bayou,
+another successful chapter written in the bureau of investigation’s war
+on crime.
+
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+                          Transcriber’s Notes
+                                   ★
+
+
+--Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public
+  domain in the country of publication.
+
+--Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and
+  dialect unchanged.
+
+--In the text versions only, delimited italicized text by _underscores_.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery, by Graham M. Dean
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+Project Gutenberg's Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery, by Graham M. Dean
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery
+       A Story of Thrilling Exploits of the G-Men
+
+Author: Graham M. Dean
+
+Release Date: January 29, 2014 [EBook #44786]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AGENT NINE AND THE JEWEL MYSTERY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               Agent Nine
+                                and the
+                             Jewel Mystery
+
+
+                                  _By_
+                             Graham M. Dean
+                               Author of
+                       _Agent Nine's First Case_
+
+                                   *
+
+                     _A Story of Thrilling Exploits
+                            of the "G" Men_
+
+
+                                  The
+                      Goldsmith Publishing Company
+                                CHICAGO
+
+
+                          _Copyright 1935, by
+                   The Goldsmith Publishing Company_
+             _Manufactured in the United States of America_
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER                                                           PAGE
+  I. AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION                                        15
+  II. A NEW CASE                                                      25
+  III. "GOOD LUCK"                                                    35
+  IV. TULLY'S CHALLENGE                                               41
+  V. ON THE SOUTHERN LIMITED                                          45
+  VI. STRANGE EVENTS                                                  54
+  VII. THE MAN ON THE PLATFORM                                        64
+  VIII. TULLY'S PAPERS VANISH                                         73
+  IX. BOB GETS A WARNING                                              84
+  X. IN CAR 43                                                        93
+  XI. DOUBLE DANGER                                                   99
+  XII. A NEW MYSTERY                                                 110
+  XIII. GOING ON                                                     117
+  XIV. THE LIGHTS GO OUT                                             125
+  XV. IN THE AISLE                                                   132
+  XVI. FIGHTING FOR LIFE                                             139
+  XVII. INTO ANGRY WATERS                                            144
+  XVIII. PICKING UP CLUES                                            149
+  XIX. THE WARNING                                                   156
+  XX. MEAGER HOPES                                                   162
+  XXI. SPECIAL AGENT NINE                                            167
+  XXII. A HARD ASSIGNMENT                                            174
+  XXIII. SNAP AIM SCORES                                             186
+  XXIV. AT THE HOSPITAL                                              190
+  XXV. BOB GETS READY                                                195
+  XXVI. "DON'T MOVE!"                                                199
+  XXVII. SHERIFF MCCURDY TALKS                                       207
+  XXVIII. THEORIES                                                   211
+  XXIX. MORE CLUES                                                   216
+  XXX. READY FOR ACTION                                              222
+  XXXI. A BOAT FLASHES PAST                                          227
+  XXXII. LOST ISLAND AHEAD                                           232
+  XXXIII. OUT OF THE NIGHT                                           236
+  XXXIV. IN THE SHANTY                                               240
+  XXXV. REVERSING THE TABLES                                         245
+  XXXVI. UNTANGLING THE WEB                                          248
+
+
+
+
+                           AGENT NINE AND THE
+                             JEWEL MYSTERY
+
+
+                                   *
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter I
+                       AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob Houston, the youngest agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
+stepped out of the Department of Justice Building and turned toward home,
+his heart beating faster than it had in months. It hardly seemed real but
+he was now a full-fledged agent in the greatest man hunting division in
+the Federal Government.
+
+Bob paused a moment at the curb. Another man who had emerged from the
+justice building joined him. It was his uncle, Merritt Hughes, one of the
+most famous detectives in the department. He put his arm around Bob's
+shoulders and shook him in a rough but friendly embrace.
+
+"Well, Bob, how does it feel to be a real federal agent?" he asked.
+
+It was a moment before Bob replied, and when he finally spoke the words
+came slowly.
+
+"I hardly know," he confessed, "as yet it doesn't seem real, but there is
+one thing I do know--I'm going to work night and day to make a success of
+this new job."
+
+"Don't worry about making a success," advised his uncle. "You've got the
+stuff to make good or you wouldn't have been taken into the department."
+
+"When do you think I'll get my first assignment on a new case?" asked
+Bob.
+
+"That's hard to say," replied the famous detective, "but if I were you
+I'd go home now and get a good night's sleep. In this kind of a game
+you'd better sleep when you can."
+
+"Then I'm headed for home now," said Bob. "Good night, and thanks for all
+you've done for me."
+
+With that the young federal agent strode off down the avenue, his lungs
+drinking in great gulps of the cool air of the fall night.
+
+Merritt Hughes stood on the curb of the justice building watching his
+nephew until Bob turned the corner a block away. Anyone noticing the
+federal agent would have seen a slight smile of pleasure on his lips and
+he might have guessed that Merritt Hughes was greatly pleased by the
+events which had happened in the preceding hours.
+
+As a matter of fact, Bob Houston, a plain clerk in the archives division
+of the War Department, temporarily a provisional federal agent, had been
+the key figure in preventing the theft of some of Uncle Sam's most
+valuable radio secrets.
+
+Through Bob's efforts a daring plot had been thwarted and the men
+responsible taken into custody. As a reward for this brilliant work, Bob
+had been made a full-fledged agent of the famous bureau of investigation
+of the Department of Justice.
+
+There were many thoughts in Bob's mind as he strode toward home that
+night. Only that afternoon he had led the raid on the east shore of
+Maryland which had resulted in the apprehension of the gang which had
+been attempting to steal the radio secrets. Then, after the return to
+Washington, had come eventful hours.
+
+Bob would never forget the scene in the office of Waldo Edgar, chief of
+the bureau of investigation, when Mr. Edgar had informed Bob that he was
+a regular federal agent and had presented his credentials to him.
+
+Just to make sure that he wasn't dreaming, Bob pulled a small leather
+wallet from an inside coat pocket and paused under a street light to look
+at its contents. There was no mistake. There in the wallet was a small
+gold badge which denoted his office and the finely engraved card which
+marked his identification. Bob replaced the wallet with a particular glow
+of satisfaction and continued toward home.
+
+The night air was raw and Bob increased his pace as he neared the
+building where he made his home. He turned in at the entrance and made
+his way up to the third floor where he had a comfortable room in a rear
+apartment.
+
+Bob unlocked the door and snapped on the light. It was a typical man's
+room with a large chiffonier and a deep clothes closet in one wall. There
+was a reading light near the head of the bed and beside this a large easy
+chair with a book rack. A number of books and magazines were scattered on
+this rack, and usually Bob sat down to read for a time before going to
+bed; but tonight he was too tired to read and he undressed rapidly.
+
+Tired though he was, sleep was slow in coming to him as his mind went
+over the events of recent hours. Bob wondered just what Tully Ross was
+thinking and doing, for Tully had been his rival in seeking a solution to
+the mystery of the radio secrets.
+
+Tully, also a clerk in the archives division of the War Department, had
+an uncle, Condon Adams, who, like Merritt Hughes, was a federal agent.
+Both Tully and his uncle had worked on the radio case, but by dint of
+Bob's good fortune and sharp detective work Bob and his uncle had solved
+the case before Tully and _his_ uncle could find the solution. In spite
+of this, Tully had been made an agent in the bureau of investigation and
+there was every indication that the rivalry which had started when they
+were clerks in the War Department would continue in their new work.
+
+Bob was just dropping asleep when the telephone beside his bed rang
+sharply. He turned on the light and picked up the instrument, all thought
+of sleep now gone from his mind. Could it be his first assignment?
+
+"Hello? Hello?" said Bob anxiously.
+
+But there was no reply over the wire and Bob clicked the receiver hook
+several times, finally deciding that the call must have been the wrong
+number.
+
+When Bob finally did get to sleep he slept with the heaviness of complete
+nervous and physical exhaustion. It was mid-forenoon and the sun was
+streaming in his windows when he finally awakened. There had been no
+instructions to him on when to report for his new work and he took a
+shower and dressed leisurely.
+
+Bob stepped out of the apartment building and took a deep breath of the
+crisp air of the mid-fall morning. Then he walked down the street to a
+small shop where he usually had his breakfast.
+
+After ordering his breakfast he picked up a morning paper on his table
+and his eyes instantly focused on the headlines in the center of the
+front page:
+
+             "FEDERAL AGENTS CAPTURE GANG OF RADIO THIEVES"
+
+Bob read the story with avid attention. Here in detail was related on the
+front page of one of the nation's great newspapers the complete story of
+the part he had played in rounding up the gang of radio thieves. Bob
+looked up from the paper. His face felt flushed and he knew he appeared
+highly self-conscious, but no one seemed to be noticing him and he
+resumed his reading of the story.
+
+It was evident that the reporter who had written the story must have
+obtained his information from a federal agent, but Bob knew that there
+was a rule in the department that all information of this type must come
+from the head of the department. He was quite sure that Waldo Edgar had
+not given out the story. As Bob read further the conviction grew that
+Tully Ross must have supplied the facts for the newspaper story, for a
+great deal of credit had been given to Tully for things which he had not
+done.
+
+Bob dropped the paper in disgust. That was just like Tully to attempt to
+claim credit for something which someone else had done.
+
+Bob finished his breakfast, paid his bill and started walking toward the
+Department of Justice Building. He had gone a little more than a block
+when a car pulled along the curb and the driver stuck his head out the
+window.
+
+"Want a lift, Bob?" asked a pleasant voice and Bob turned to face
+Lieutenant Gibbons, War Department intelligence officer, who had helped
+him in the solution of the radio mystery.
+
+Bob climbed into the coup� and Lieutenant Gibbons sent the car shooting
+down the avenue, dodging in and out of the heavy mid-forenoon stream of
+traffic.
+
+"Quite a story in the morning papers," smiled the lieutenant.
+
+Bob nodded.
+
+"Looks like Tully Ross has been doing a little personal press agenting,"
+he said. "Personally, I'm not very strong for that sort of thing."
+
+"Neither am I," said the lieutenant, "but some people seem to live on a
+diet of publicity and I guess Tully is one of that kind."
+
+The lieutenant wheeled his coup� up in front of the Department of Justice
+Building and Bob stepped out.
+
+"Thanks a lot for the lift," he said.
+
+"Oh, that's all right, Bob. I wonder when we'll be working on a case
+again?"
+
+"That's hard to say," grinned Bob. "Hope it will be soon."
+
+With that he turned and entered the building while Lieutenant Gibbons
+resumed his journey.
+
+Bob took an elevator to the top floor where the head of the bureau of
+investigation had his offices. A clerk in the anteroom took his name and
+looked up sharply as he consulted an appointment chart on his desk.
+
+"I think Mr. Edgar is expecting you," he said, "for your name is on his
+call list this morning."
+
+Bob looked eagerly at the clerk.
+
+"Does this mean I'm going to be assigned to a case?" he asked.
+
+"I can't say," replied the clerk, "but I shouldn't be surprised. I'll
+send in your name at once. Just have a seat and wait for a few minutes."
+
+Bob was the only one in the anteroom and he sat down on a padded bench
+beside the clerk's desk, with a growing feeling that within a few minutes
+he would be called in and assigned on his first case as a full time
+federal agent.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter II
+                               A NEW CASE
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob had been waiting in the anteroom less than five minutes when the door
+banged open and Tully Ross almost catapulted into the room. Tully was
+about the last person in the world that Bob wanted to see just then but
+he grinned and made the best of it.
+
+"Hello, Tully. What's all the hurry?" he asked.
+
+Tully stopped abruptly and stared at Bob. There was no friendliness in
+the glance that swept Bob from head to foot.
+
+"I didn't expect to see you here," he blurted out.
+
+"That goes for me, too," replied Bob. "That was quite a story you gave
+the reporters last night."
+
+A deep flush swept over Tully's face but he was quick to deny the
+implications in Bob's words.
+
+"What story do you mean?" he asked sharply.
+
+"I guess you know what I mean," said Bob evenly. "I thought it was a rule
+of this department not to give out news stories."
+
+"You're on the wrong track," Tully insisted; but Bob knew by the
+expression on Tully's face that Tully had given out the news story,
+thereby violating one of the rules of the department.
+
+Tully sat down on a bench on the other side of the room facing Bob. He
+was silent for less than a minute for he could not check his curiosity.
+
+"Have you been assigned to a case yet?" he asked. There was an envious
+note in his voice.
+
+"Not yet, but I expect to get an assignment soon," said Bob. "Have you a
+new assignment?"
+
+"I'm expecting one this morning," replied Tully confidently. "In fact,
+that's why I'm here."
+
+The clerk in charge of the room returned and asked Tully's name and
+business.
+
+"Mr. Edgar will be ready to see both of you in a minute or two," the
+clerk advised them.
+
+A buzzer on the clerk's desk whirred and the official stepped to the
+door, opened it and motioned for Bob and Tully to enter the private
+office.
+
+Waldo Edgar, the slender, wiry head of the bureau of investigation looked
+up from behind the pile of papers on his desk. Bob saw a copy of one of
+the morning papers spread out in front of the federal chief and he knew
+that both he and Tully were quite likely to be in for some unpleasant
+moments.
+
+"Good morning, boys," said Mr. Edgar, but there was little warmth in his
+voice and he left them standing in front of his desk as he pointed to the
+story in the paper in front of him. His gaze centered on Bob.
+
+"Are you responsible for this story, Bob?" he asked.
+
+The young federal agent's denial was quick and confident.
+
+"I didn't know a thing about the story until I read it at breakfast this
+morning," he said.
+
+"This seems to be a pretty accurate account of what actually took place
+in the roundup of the gang responsible for the theft of the radio
+secrets," said the federal chief. "The information could have been
+supplied only by someone in our own department and you know there is a
+rule against giving out such information."
+
+"I know there is such a rule," said Bob, "and I can assure you that I
+have talked to no one."
+
+Bob's straightforward words seemed to satisfy the federal chief and he
+shifted his gaze to Tully, who was standing uneasily on first one foot
+and then the other.
+
+"What have you to say for yourself, Tully?"
+
+The question was short and pointed and Bob saw Tully's eyes shift away
+from those of Waldo Edgar.
+
+"I guess I'm to blame for the story," confessed Tully. "You see it was
+this way--"
+
+But Tully's explanation was cut short.
+
+"I'm not interested in how you happened to talk," said the federal chief.
+"However, I am glad that you have admitted your indiscretion so readily.
+In the future be sure to keep this rule in mind. It is your job to solve
+the cases assigned to you and to keep out of the headlines and off the
+front pages of the newspapers. The less publicity we have the more
+effective can be our work."
+
+After delivering that short but pointed lecture Waldo Edgar picked up a
+file of papers on his desk and skimmed through them hurriedly.
+
+"I called both of you in at this time," he explained, "because I am
+assigning you on the same case."
+
+Bob glanced sharply at Tully and there was a deep scowl on his rival's
+face. The exchange of glances was not lost to Waldo Edgar for he was
+aware of the rivalry between his youngest agents.
+
+"I realize quite well that both of you are intensely interested in
+winning advancement in this department," he went on. "For that very
+reason I know that when I assign you to a case you will leave nothing
+undone until you find the solution. You may step on one another's toes in
+reaching your goal but you get results and that is what I want."
+
+The federal chief once more consulted the file on his desk.
+
+"The mission I am going to send you on is one which has baffled some of
+the best men in the customs service. In other words, I am counting on you
+two youngsters, with your enthusiasm and determination, to get to the
+bottom of one of the most difficult cases that has been assigned to this
+department in recent years."
+
+Bob, looking down at the desk in front of him, saw a number of letters
+which bore the insignia of the customs service. Several of them were
+post-marked from cities in Florida. In addition, there were several
+letters from Paris and London.
+
+"When I tell you that I am assigning you to this case, don't think I'm
+altogether foolish, for both Merritt Hughes and Condon Adams will be
+working with you," said the federal chief.
+
+Bob knew what that meant. There would be the same rivalry which had
+marked the radio mystery with Condon Adams and Tully Ross attempting to
+solve the case before Bob and his uncle could find the solution.
+
+"I have already had Adams and Hughes in here this morning and have
+explained in detail this case. They have departed on their own
+assignments and I shall expect both of you to be on your way to Florida
+early in the afternoon.
+
+"Briefly it will be your task to help bring to justice one of the most
+daring band of jewel smugglers that has ever operated between Europe and
+the United States. They are so clever and daring that they have defied
+the efforts of the best detectives in the customs service and we have
+been appealed to for aid in solving the case. Actually, we have very
+little to go upon.
+
+"Apparently this is a small but very versatile band of men. Just how they
+get the jewels into this country is one of the mysteries which you must
+solve. One of the few things that we do know is that they apparently are
+operating off the Florida coast, reaching this country by the means of
+small, fast boats. It is going to be your task to attempt to find the
+base along the Florida coast where they center their operations."
+
+Waldo Edgar swung around in his chair and turned to a large map of the
+United States which covered the entire wall behind his desk. He picked up
+a pointer and touched several spots on the Florida section on the map.
+
+"Bob," he instructed, "you are to proceed as rapidly as possible to
+Atalissa, a small town on the coast. That is to be your headquarters for
+we know that somewhere in the territory adjacent to Atalissa these
+smugglers have been operating. I must warn you now that you must use
+every precaution to keep your identity secret for this particular section
+of the Florida coast is not friendly toward federal men."
+
+The pointer in the hand of the federal chief moved further along the map
+until it paused once more at a coastal town.
+
+"You are to go to Nira," he instructed Tully. "I consider that this is as
+far south as the smugglers are operating while Atalissa is the northern
+point. Somewhere between these two bases I am sure you will be able to
+uncover information which will be of real value to us."
+
+Waldo Edgar turned back from the map and faced his young agents. There
+was just a trace of a smile on his lips.
+
+"Think you can handle this assignment?" he asked.
+
+Bob was the first to reply.
+
+"I'll handle it if I have to swim along the whole coast of Florida," he
+said.
+
+Waldo Edgar chuckled. "I don't think that will be necessary."
+
+"How about my uncle and Merritt Hughes?" asked Tully. "Will they be
+working in the same territory?"
+
+"Yes, they are working on the Florida angle of the case and I expect you
+to keep them advised of any developments which you are able to uncover.
+You can reach them in Jacksonville and their telephone number will be
+given to you before you leave Washington this afternoon. If you call here
+at one o'clock, your complete transportation and expense money will be
+ready for you as well as a written file of all the information which we
+now have about the jewel smugglers. Can you be ready by one o'clock?"
+
+"I can go now," said Bob.
+
+"Better go home and throw an extra shirt or two and some socks into a
+traveling bag," advised the federal chief. "I like to see plenty of
+enthusiasm, but you may be gone a good many weeks and you should be
+thoroughly prepared for a strenuous trip. If you have boots and some good
+heavy clothes, be sure to put them in your bag and by all means do not go
+unarmed."
+
+Waldo Edgar stood up and shook hands with each of them.
+
+"I will not see you again before you go, but I expect great things from
+both of you. I shall watch your reports with interest."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter III
+                              "GOOD LUCK"
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob and Tully left the office of the federal chief together and descended
+in the same elevator to the first floor. Both of them were stirred by a
+strong feeling of elation for this was their first assignment since
+becoming federal agents.
+
+Bob would have liked to talk the case over with his uncle, but he knew
+now that Merritt Hughes was already on his way to Florida and whatever
+Bob was to do on the case he would have to do alone.
+
+"Seems to me you get all the best of these assignments," grumbled Tully.
+"I know something about Florida and Nira is just about the last place in
+the world I want to go to."
+
+"I don't see why you should complain," said Bob, "even though Nira may
+not be a very pleasant place, for you have a distinct advantage over me
+since I have never been to Florida."
+
+They parted as they walked out of the building, and Bob, hailing a
+taxicab, sped toward the apartment building where he made his home.
+
+Packing was a comparatively simple thing for Bob. He pulled a serviceable
+but battered Gladstone bag out of the closet and opened it upon the bed.
+
+Fortunately he had a large supply of freshly laundered clothes and he
+packed one side of the bag solid with shirts, socks and underwear. That
+done he went back to the closet and rummaged around until he found an old
+hunting outfit of corduroy trousers and coat.
+
+From one corner of the closet he pulled a pair of heavy boots which were
+soft and pliable. The woolen socks which he pulled from the boots had
+been almost consumed by moths and Bob threw the socks away, making a
+mental note that he would have to buy more either in Washington or when
+he arrived in Florida.
+
+On the third trip to the closet Bob returned with a well-worn gun case in
+his hands. He opened the brown leather case and drew forth a special
+hunting rifle which had been given to him by his uncle several years
+before.
+
+The gun had received excellent care as the gleaming barrel indicated, and
+Bob, sitting down on the edge of the bed, caressed it with hands that
+were almost affectionate. He had nicknamed the gun "Ezekiel" after an
+eccentric old hunter he had known in his home town in Iowa.
+
+Bob, although not a remarkable shot with a rifle, could be classed as
+better than average, for his eyesight was good and his finger was steady
+in its pull on the trigger.
+
+The young federal agent examined the gun carefully. There was more than a
+good chance that it might be called into use if his Florida trip
+developed all of the possibilities Waldo Edgar had indicated. Bob sighted
+through the barrel of the gun and smiled to himself as he noted the
+cleanness of the bore, for he prided himself on the care which he had
+given the weapon.
+
+There was a small box of ammunition in the gun case and Bob examined the
+shells. They had been in the case for three months but there was no
+reason to believe that they had deteriorated for the gun case had been
+kept in a warm, dry place.
+
+Bob slipped the rifle back into the case, which was just long enough to
+fit into his Gladstone bag. He folded up his corduroy outfit and placed
+this on top of the rifle. Then the boots went in and on top of them he
+jammed several soft flannel shirts that could be worn a reasonable time
+without laundering. It was impossible to foretell just what he would
+encounter in Florida and he wanted to be prepared for every possible
+emergency.
+
+The packing had taken longer than Bob had expected and when he looked at
+his watch he realized that there was little time to lose if he expected
+to reach the justice department building for his one o'clock appointment.
+Bob jammed his shaving outfit in on top of his clothes and closed the
+bag. It fairly bulged with the articles he had packed away and the big
+case was both clumsy and heavy to carry.
+
+Bob looked around his room as he paused at the door. It might be weeks
+before he would return and he would miss the orderly pleasantness of the
+room with his comfortable chair and his excellent books.
+
+Then he closed and locked the door and walked down the hallway as rapidly
+as he could with his heavy bag. He summoned a taxi and started for the
+Department of Justice Building where detailed instructions were awaiting
+him.
+
+The ride down town took less than ten minutes and Bob reached the
+building at five minutes to one, just in time to see Tully Ross precede
+him through the main entrance.
+
+Bob paid his taxi fare and then left his heavy bag at the information
+desk on the main floor while he was whirled upward in an elevator. The
+same clerk who had greeted him that morning was on duty in the outer
+office and Tully, seated on a bench, was opening a large Manila envelope.
+
+"Your instructions, train tickets, expense money and data on the case are
+all in this envelope," said the clerk, handing a similar container to
+Bob. "Your train leaves at 1:30 so I suggest that you get to the station
+at once and then go into the details of this case after you are on your
+way south."
+
+"Thanks a lot," nodded Bob. "I'm on my way."
+
+"Good luck," said the clerk, who looked enviously after Bob, for after
+all there were not very many thrills in clerical work.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter IV
+                           TULLY'S CHALLENGE
+                                   *
+
+
+Tully Ross followed Bob into the elevator and they dropped toward the
+first floor.
+
+"I guess we're taking the same train as far as Jacksonville," said Tully.
+"What a pleasure that's going to be!"
+
+Tully's last words were sneering and vindictive, and a little of Bob's
+pent-up resentment burst out. Fortunately no one else was in the elevator
+at the time.
+
+"You'd better take inventory of yourself, Tully," advised Bob, "or you're
+going to run head-on into trouble. I haven't got it in for you and you
+can take full credit for anything that you do. Don't be so blamed
+suspicious of everything. You do your work and I'll do mine. The main
+thing is going to be to solve this case and I don't care who does it just
+as long as we are successful. If you'd only warm up a little we could go
+over this case on the way south this afternoon and we might have some
+ideas that we could both benefit by."
+
+Tully looked suspicious.
+
+"What are you getting at?" he asked.
+
+They were on the main floor again and passengers bound for the upper
+floors swept into the elevator.
+
+"We'll take a taxi together to the station and I'll tell you on the way
+there," said Bob.
+
+Tully had two smaller bags while Bob had only the large gladstone and
+they loaded the bags and themselves into a taxi and started for the union
+station.
+
+"I'm just trying to get at this," said Bob. "Both of us have chances for
+brilliant futures in this service if we don't let personal rivalry warp
+our better judgment. That was a shabby trick of yours in giving that
+story to the newspapers and I rather think you hoped that I would be
+blamed."
+
+Tully was silent and Bob went on.
+
+"I'm willing to let that pass and some other things that have happened if
+you feel that you're willing to work along with me on this case. The old
+saying that two heads are better than one is certainly true in this kind
+of work and we can both benefit by it. What do you say?"
+
+Bob's clear, blue eyes bored deep into Tully's brown ones and he held out
+his hand.
+
+Tully held Bob's gaze for a moment and then his eyes shifted uneasily. He
+made no motion to take Bob's proffered hand.
+
+"Well, if that's the way you feel about it, I'm glad that we have had a
+definite understanding," said Bob.
+
+"I guess that's the way it's got to be," said Tully slowly. "I don't like
+you, Bob, and there's no use in making any bones about it. I'm going to
+solve this case even if I have to step all over you in doing it."
+
+"Well, Tully, you just run along and do your best; but I'm serving fair
+warning on you right now that if you try to step on any of my toes,
+you'll wish you hadn't. There's only one way to play this game and that's
+to play it fair and square. I'm going to play it that way and I'm going
+to win and nothing that you can do will stop me. If it is humanly
+possible that case will be solved within the next few weeks."
+
+Tully looked squarely at Bob.
+
+"Is that a challenge?" he asked.
+
+"Call it anything you like."
+
+"Then I say that you won't solve it in two months if you solve it at
+all."
+
+"Two months it is," retorted Bob, "and by that I mean that every angle of
+this case will be cleaned up and either all of the men connected with it
+in federal custody or beyond our reach and you can put that down in
+writing if you want to."
+
+"I won't do that," sneered Tully, "for it might be too embarrassing to
+have to have it recalled when you fail."
+
+"I'm not going to fail," said Bob firmly, and although Tully wouldn't
+have admitted it at the time, he had a premonition that Bob was
+right--that he would not fail.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter V
+                        ON THE SOUTHERN LIMITED
+                                   *
+
+
+The taxi pulled up in front of the union station and Bob and Tully,
+spurning the offers of red caps, carried their luggage into the huge
+structure.
+
+The great terminal was alive with activity and through the loud speaker
+system the departures of half a dozen famous trains were being announced.
+
+Bob's Gladstone was too heavy to carry very far without shifting it from
+hand to hand. When he reached the train shed he put the bag down beside
+him and opened the envelope in which his tickets had been placed. His
+Pullman reservation called for lower five in car 43 on train number 7,
+the Southern Limited. Tully paused beside Bob.
+
+"Are you in car 43?" he asked.
+
+"Lower five," said Bob.
+
+"Humph," grunted Tully. "What luck I have. There must have been some
+mistake. I'm in upper five."
+
+"No, I don't think there was any mistake," grinned Bob as he visualized
+how Tully, who was inclined to stoutness, would look scrambling in and
+out of upper five that night. "Perhaps the clerk who made out these
+tickets thought you needed a little exercise."
+
+Picking up their bags they walked to the nearest train gate where the
+ticket inspector checked their tickets and waved them toward the Southern
+Limited, which was standing on track number three.
+
+Car 43, in which they were to make their journey southward, was near the
+center of the train and by the time Bob and Tully were comfortably seated
+in the car, the porters were making their final calls of "'bo-o-oard."
+The Southern Limited started slowly but easily picked up speed as the
+trucks clicked over the joints.
+
+Travel that day was light and there was only one other passenger on the
+car, a man who appeared to be about forty, short, dark, but marked with a
+distinguishing streak of grey in the center of his head. He was the type
+of man who, though he attracted attention, did not invite
+acquaintanceship.
+
+Tully continued to grumble at intervals, complaining that it was grossly
+unfair for Bob to have a lower berth while he was compelled to climb into
+an upper.
+
+But Bob ignored Tully's complaints. The train was soon speeding into
+Virginia and with the capital behind Bob took out the envelope with the
+history of the case they were working on. Since they were practically
+alone on the car it would be an ideal time to go over this material and
+memorize in detail all of the essential information contained in it.
+
+Tully likewise pulled out the heavy manila envelope which contained a
+copy of the same report Bob had in his hands but instead of reading it
+there Tully went forward into the smoking compartment. Bob knew that
+Tully did not smoke so it was obvious that Tully had gone forward simply
+to get away from him.
+
+There were a dozen closely typed sheets in the report and they reviewed
+in detail all of the activities of the jewel smugglers which were known
+to the federal officials. As he read, Bob was astounded at the daring
+with which the smuggling was conducted.
+
+The reports indicated clearly that the headquarters for the smuggling
+operations must lie somewhere along the east coast of Florida and the
+names of both Nira and Atalissa appeared frequently in the typed reports.
+It was evident that at least half a dozen federal men, most of them in
+the customs service, had been working on the case at various times.
+
+There was one paragraph in their report that struck Bob with unusual
+force. It read:
+
+"A conservative estimate of the amount of jewels which the gang has
+smuggled into this country in the last six months would be at least half
+a million dollars. There is no way of knowing just how extensive are
+their operations. Agents are especially warned to use great care in any
+approach to any members of this gang. Agents working on this case should
+go armed at all times. It is imperative that the men responsible for
+these operations be taken into custody at the earliest possible time."
+
+Bob read this paragraph several times and it brought home to him the
+possible dangers which he might face in the coming weeks.
+
+The other passenger in the car whose seat was behind Bob got up and went
+forward into the smoking compartment where Tully had gone previously.
+
+Bob looked up as the man went past him. The stranger was powerfully built
+and Bob especially noticed the breadth and strength of his hands.
+
+Bob thought little of the incident but hoped that Tully would have the
+good sense to put away the secret papers when the stranger entered the
+smoking compartment. As the train sped through the fertile Virginia farm
+lands the young federal agent continued his perusal of the report.
+
+The concluding paragraph was such that he read it three or four times.
+
+"From all information at hand, it appears obvious that not more than five
+men are involved in this smuggling enterprise. So far we have been unable
+to identify positively any member of the gang so all agents are doubly
+warned against any incautious remarks which might indicate the reason for
+their visit to Florida. In case of any unusual emergency notify
+headquarters by long distance telephone at once."
+
+Bob went back over the report again in detail and, when he had finished,
+placed it in the sturdy envelope, sealed it, and put it in his Gladstone
+bag. He felt now that he knew as much about the case as it was possible
+to learn until he actually reached Atalissa.
+
+After a time Bob walked forward and stepped into the smoking compartment
+where Tully and the stranger were engaged in animated conversation.
+
+Tully looked up but there was little warmth in his glance. That, however,
+did not deter Bob from sitting down on one of the comfortable leather
+upholstered benches. The stranger looked at Bob and a rather pleasant
+smile framed his lips.
+
+"Going to Florida?" he asked.
+
+"Jacksonville," said Bob laconically.
+
+"That's fine, I'm going there too. Hamsa, Joe Hamsa, is the name," said
+the stranger reaching over and extending his hand in greeting.
+
+Bob grasped the extended hand but he winced slightly at the strength of
+the other's grip.
+
+"I'm Bob Houston of Washington," replied Bob by way of introducing
+himself.
+
+"Going south on business or just taking a vacation?" asked Joe Hamsa and
+Bob thought there was a peculiar flicker in the other's eyes.
+
+"Well, it's a combination of both," replied Bob.
+
+"Wish I could say as much," went on Hamsa, "but it's all business with
+me. I'm glad you boys are on the car today. I don't like to travel alone
+and especially at night."
+
+Bob wondered just why Mr. Hamsa, who appeared perfectly capable of taking
+care of himself, did not care to travel alone. He was not in doubt long
+for Hamsa suddenly developed a voluble streak.
+
+"Diamonds are my specialty," he said, "and I've been held up once or
+twice. Believe me, there's no fun in that."
+
+Mr. Hamsa did not look particularly like the type of man who would submit
+to a holdup peacefully, and there was something about him that aroused
+suspicions in Bob's mind.
+
+The young federal agent glanced across the compartment to where Tully was
+seated and he was surprised to note that the papers in the confidential
+report on the smuggling ring were scattered on the seat beside Tully.
+
+What was even more astounding was the pallor of Tully's face, and the
+glassy stare in his eyes.
+
+"Tully," cried Bob, "what's the matter?"
+
+But there was no response from Tully except a slight twitching of his
+lips which indicated that he might be trying to answer.
+
+"Tully," repeated Bob, "what's the matter?"
+
+The sharp questions voiced by the young federal agent caused Hamsa also
+to turn and stare at Tully.
+
+Bob was less than six feet away from Tully, yet the other failed to
+answer his questions or to give any sign of recognition. He sat there
+like a man under a hypnotic spell.
+
+Bob leaped to his feet and in one long stride was beside Tully. With firm
+hands he grasped Tully's shoulders and shook him vigorously.
+
+Tully's head dropped forward on his chest and he seemed suddenly to
+collapse, sliding forward off the leather bench and falling to the floor.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter VI
+                             STRANGE EVENTS
+                                   *
+
+
+Tully's collapse came so suddenly that Bob was unable to check his fall
+to the floor, but he leaned down almost instantly and lifted Tully back
+on one of the benches.
+
+Bob's face was close to Tully's and he caught a whiff of an acrid smell
+on Tully's breath. His companion's breathing was slow and distinctly
+labored.
+
+Bob grasped one of Tully's wrists and checked the pulse beat. His
+knowledge of first aid was somewhat limited, but the steadiness of the
+pulse count reassured him and he decided that Tully had probably fallen
+victim to a sudden fainting attack.
+
+Joe Hamsa leaned over Bob and attempted to aid him in ministering to
+Tully.
+
+"Anything I can do?" he asked.
+
+"Get a cup of water," said Bob, and Hamsa hastened away to do his
+bidding. He was back soon with the paper cup brimming full of water. Bob
+moistened his handkerchief in this and bathed Tully's cheeks and forehead
+while Hamsa loosened his tie and collar, and massaged his wrists.
+
+Just then the Pullman conductor came into the compartment.
+
+"What's doing here?" he asked.
+
+Bob answered without looking up.
+
+"I think my companion suffered a fainting attack. Have you any smelling
+salts?"
+
+"I have some in my first aid kit up ahead," replied the conductor,
+departing to obtain it.
+
+He returned in less than a minute with the smelling salts and Bob gave
+Tully several deep sniffs from the pungent smelling bottle. The
+penetrating qualities of the salts seemed to reach Tully's subconscious
+mind and draw away the curtain which had clouded his consciousness. He
+made an effort to rouse himself but Bob speaking in a low voice forced
+him back on the leather bench.
+
+"Take it easy, Tully," he advised. "You'll feel stronger in a short
+time."
+
+Tully opened his eyes and stared at them. It was evident that he had no
+idea what had happened to him.
+
+Bob, who had been somewhat concerned when he saw the sheets of Tully's
+confidential report laying out in the open, now took time to look for
+them. They were still scattered on one of the leather benches and as far
+as Bob could determine they had not been disturbed. He reached out and
+with the sweep of one hand brushed them into a pile at one corner of the
+bench. Fortunately they had been turned face down, and Bob felt sure that
+there had been no opportunity for either Hamsa or the Pullman conductor
+to read the contents.
+
+Tully attempted to sit up and Bob's attention returned to his unfortunate
+traveling companion. Tully still appeared shaken but his eyes were
+clearer and once more there was a touch of color in his cheeks.
+
+Tully signalled that he would like a drink of water and Hamsa hurried
+away to fill another paper cup from the tank in the vestibule. When he
+returned Tully took several deep draughts of the water and he appeared
+greatly refreshed.
+
+"I don't know what happened," he mumbled, shaking his head slowly. "My
+mind seems so heavy. I can't think."
+
+"Better take it easy for a while," advised Bob. "Here, stretch out on
+this couch. I'll get the porter to bring you a blanket."
+
+Bob stepped out and called the porter who was in the other end of the
+car, and, thus far, unaware that anything unusual had taken place in the
+smoking compartment. At Bob's instructions he brought a blanket and
+placed it over Tully. Then he brought in a pillow and the federal agent
+was made as comfortable as possible.
+
+"Want me to make up a berth?" asked the porter, but Tully shook his head.
+
+"Not now. I'll be all right here. Just let me rest."
+
+Bob's keen eyes roved around the smoking compartment. The papers which
+had been in Tully's confidential envelope had been placed on the opposite
+couch, evidently by Hamsa or the Pullman conductor. Bob caught a quick
+glance from Tully and sensed that the other wanted the papers put away at
+once.
+
+The young federal agent stepped over to the leather couch, scooped up the
+sheets of typewritten paper, and placed them in the envelope.
+
+"Thanks," said Tully, when Bob handed the package to him. He slipped the
+documents into an inner pocket of his coat, closed his eyes, and was soon
+in a deep sleep.
+
+This might have been alarming had not Tully's breathing been deep and
+natural and the color in his cheeks more normal.
+
+"I think he's coming around all right," said Hamsa, who had remained in
+the smoking compartment. "Looks to me like it might have been an attack
+of acute indigestion."
+
+"Perhaps," agreed Bob, but for his own satisfaction he would have
+preferred to have a doctor examine Tully. He stepped outside into the
+corridor to speak to the Pullman conductor.
+
+"Do you know if there is a doctor on the train?" he asked.
+
+"I don't believe so. We're running light today but I'll find out; your
+friend any worse?"
+
+"No. He's better, but I'd like to find out just what happened to him."
+
+"I can wire ahead and have an ambulance meet us at the next division
+point," suggested the conductor.
+
+"I don't believe that will be necessary," replied Bob. "We're anxious to
+get to Jacksonville on this train. However, I wish you would ascertain if
+there is a doctor aboard."
+
+As the trainman hurried away, Bob stepped back into the smoking
+compartment. There was something definitely puzzling and disturbing about
+the sudden illness which had overtaken Tully, for the latter was usually
+in the best of health.
+
+Bob thought back over the days of their association in the archives
+division of the War Department, trying to remember if Tully had ever been
+the subject of sudden fainting spells. As far as he could recall, nothing
+like this had occurred before, which did not make his mind rest any
+easier.
+
+Hamsa wandered out of the smoking compartment and Bob and Tully were
+alone. Half an hour slipped by and Tully remained in the deep sleep.
+
+The train had stopped once, a long halt for coal and water, and it was
+after it resumed motion that the Pullman conductor returned to the
+compartment.
+
+"I've been all over the train, even into the day coaches ahead, and there
+isn't even a veterinarian aboard. Sure you don't want us to wire for an
+ambulance to meet you? We'll be in at the next division point in an hour
+and a half."
+
+"I'll let you know definitely a little later. If he doesn't rouse from
+this sleep, it may be necessary to do just that."
+
+"Anything more I can do?" asked the conductor, but Bob shook his head.
+
+"I'll stay here and watch him. If I need any help, I'll signal for the
+porter."
+
+The curtains at the doorway swished down behind the departing figure of
+the conductor, leaving Bob and Tully alone once more.
+
+The afternoon was waning as the train sped southward, the steady clicking
+of the trucks underneath indicating that the Limited was doing at least a
+mile a minute. The roadbed was smooth and the high speed did not make the
+car ride uncomfortably.
+
+While Tully was asleep, Bob studied his companion's face. Tully's
+features were really remarkably strong and if he made an effort to look
+pleasant he would have been a handsome young man. But his lips were
+inclined to a perpetual downward curve that made it appear that a steady
+scowl was on his face.
+
+Bob would have enjoyed liking Tully, for there were many qualities in the
+other that were outstanding. For instance, Tully was sturdy and he had
+the power to drive steadily toward a goal once he set his ambition to
+that end. It was too bad that he let personal feelings creep into his
+work and sway his better judgment, such as challenging Bob to beat him to
+a solution of the jewel smuggling case.
+
+Bob was a better than average judge of character and he knew that Tully
+would worry so much about what he was doing that Tully's own keen mind
+would be somewhat dulled on the case. For that reason Bob had not
+hesitated to take up the challenge.
+
+The Limited plunged into a short but heavy rain storm and drops of water
+streamed down the windows. It was not an especially auspicious beginning
+to their manhunt.
+
+Tully moved restlessly and Bob thought for a time that his companion was
+about to wake up, but Tully's breathing deepened once more and his eyes
+remained closed.
+
+Joe Hamsa stuck his head into the compartment.
+
+"Any change?" he asked, and Bob thought he appeared a little too
+solicitous for a passing acquaintance.
+
+"I think he's resting easier," replied Bob.
+
+"Are you going to take him to a hospital?" asked Hamsa, pressing Bob for
+further information on his plans.
+
+"I haven't decided yet."
+
+"Let me know if there is anything I can do," volunteered the other. It
+was apparent that he would have liked an invitation to stay in the room,
+but Bob turned toward the rain-washed windows and after a brief pause
+Hamsa dropped the curtain at the doorway and walked back into the
+Pullman.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter VII
+                        THE MAN ON THE PLATFORM
+                                   *
+
+
+Tully remained in the deep sleep for another fifteen minutes. Then he
+stirred restlessly and Bob went over to his side. As he looked down Tully
+opened his eyes. They appeared clear and perfectly normal.
+
+Tully attempted to sit up, but Bob put his hands on his shoulders and
+gently pushed him back on the couch.
+
+"Take it easy for a while, Tully," he said.
+
+"What happened?" the other demanded, and Bob noted that the words were
+slow and his speech thick.
+
+Then before he could answer, Tully grunted and made a face.
+
+"Get me some water, quick."
+
+Bob hastened out into the corridor where he filled a paper cup to the
+brim. Tully drank every drop and signaled for another cup, which Bob
+procured immediately.
+
+When that was done, Tully appeared greatly refreshed.
+
+"Help me prop this pillow up so I can sit up a little," he urged Bob, and
+he was soon in a more comfortable position.
+
+The rain still washed the windows of the car, and the porter, entering
+the compartment, turned on the top lights, for it was nearly dark.
+
+Before he spoke again Tully felt inside his coat and, reassured that the
+documents on the jewel smuggling case were there, he looked at Bob.
+
+"I don't remember very much," he said slowly, "but all of a sudden
+everything went dark. I felt that I was going to fall but I couldn't
+move. I couldn't even reach out my hands and neither could I say a word."
+
+He paused and Bob felt that it would be well for him to explain what he
+had seen.
+
+"You looked like you were hypnotized," he explained. "I came over and
+caught you, but you were out cold. Believe me, you had us worried for a
+while."
+
+Just then the Pullman conductor looked in.
+
+"Made up your mind about calling an ambulance at the division point?" he
+asked. Then he saw Tully propped into a half-way sitting position and his
+face brightened.
+
+"Coming around now?"
+
+"He's feeling better. We'll go right on through to Jacksonville," said
+Bob and the conductor went on about his duties.
+
+"Didn't you think I'd come around?" asked Tully, a look of worry on his
+forehead.
+
+"We didn't know just what was happening for a while," explained Bob. "You
+had us pretty badly scared."
+
+Tully looked thoughtful.
+
+"I honestly don't know what took place," he said, slowly shaking his
+head. "It seemed as though blackness simply exploded in my face. Actually
+I believe there was some kind of a shock or blow on my face."
+
+"I don't know what it could have been," replied Bob. "Hamsa and I were
+the only ones with you and you had been visiting with Hamsa for some time
+before I came in."
+
+"He's a queer duck," muttered Tully. "I don't know whether I could like
+or trust him."
+
+Bob had exactly the same feeling and he was interested to know Tully's
+reaction to their traveling companion.
+
+"I'm still kind of sleepy. Guess I'll take another nap. You might tell
+the porter to make up my berth."
+
+"I'll have him fix up lower five for you," replied Bob. "I'll take the
+upper for you probably won't feel much like climbing in and out of a
+berth for the next few hours. Think you'll want anything to eat tonight?"
+
+"Perhaps a little soup later," nodded Tully as he closed his eyes.
+
+Bob remained in the compartment for several minutes until he was sure
+that Tully was in a deep and comfortable sleep. Then he returned to the
+main section of the Pullman.
+
+As he turned in the corridor and could look down the full length of the
+car he thought he caught just a glimpse of Hamsa dodging out the other
+end of the car.
+
+Only a few lights were on and Bob could not be sure that his eyes were
+not playing tricks on him. In any event he hastened his pace and when he
+reached the section which he and Tully occupied he drew his big Gladstone
+bag out from under one of the seats.
+
+Bob breathed easier when he saw the envelope which contained the
+confidential information on the smuggling was just where he had left it.
+It had been more than a little careless of him to leave such valuable
+data unprotected for so long a time.
+
+It was fully dark and Bob snapped on the individual lights in the berth
+and rang the buzzer for the porter, who appeared almost immediately.
+
+Bob instructed him to make up both the lower and upper berth.
+
+"I'm going ahead into the diner. Let me know when you've finished," he
+said, "and also keep an eye on my friend in the smoking compartment. If
+he should wake up, inform me at once."
+
+The rush to reach the train plus the exciting events of the afternoon had
+made Bob ravenously hungry and when he entered the dining car he splurged
+by ordering a large porterhouse steak and an extra order of French fried
+potatoes.
+
+The conductor had been right when he described travel on the Southern
+that night as light for there were only five others in the diner in
+addition to Bob. All of them were strangers, three of them being women
+and the other two rather elderly men who were engaged in an animated
+conversation on the economic problems of the day.
+
+Bob summoned the steward, explained that a companion was ill, and asked
+that a nourishing soup be prepared for him to take back to the Pullman
+when he returned.
+
+The steak, when it was brought in, was both thick and tender, and the
+potatoes were done just to the right crispness. It was a meal that Bob
+could thoroughly enjoy and he ate it in comparative leisure, relying on
+the Pullman porter to call him if Tully awakened.
+
+The train slowed to a smooth halt in a North Carolina mill town and Bob
+looked out on the well lighted station platform. The rain was descending
+in torrents now and Bob knew that it might be hard to keep the Limited on
+the fast schedule which its time card demanded.
+
+It was evidently a service stop for the train remained at the station for
+at least ten minutes. Bob, watching from the windows, could see anyone on
+the platform and he was startled to catch a glimpse of a man hurrying
+along beside the train. He had just a glimpse, but the man, short and
+rather bulky, was making what appeared to Bob to be an obvious effort to
+avoid attracting attention for he was hugging the side of the train. He
+was clad in a dark oilskin and a soft hat, pulled well down, shielded his
+face.
+
+Bob pressed his own face against the glass and peered along the platform.
+Up ahead a brightly illuminated sign marked the telegraph office, and Bob
+saw the man hurry inside, but the distance was too great for him to see
+the other's face. In less than a minute the man reappeared, but he did
+not come back along the train.
+
+Then the Limited plunged southward again, beating its way into the teeth
+of the storm, and Bob wondered if Joe Hamsa could have been the man on
+the platform.
+
+Bob finished his meal and after paying his bill went back into car 43 to
+see how Tully was getting along. He found him awake and ready for
+something to eat.
+
+"Soup would taste good," nodded Tully when Bob suggested it and the young
+federal agent returned to the diner at once. When he re-entered the car
+he saw Joe Hamsa seated at the far end of the diner and he was sure that
+he had not passed Hamsa either going or coming from car 43. That meant
+that Hamsa had been up ahead some place.
+
+Bob thought the diamond salesman made a deliberate effort to avoid his
+eyes by staring intently through the storm-bathed windows of the car. The
+soup was ready and Bob followed a waiter who carried it back to the
+Pullman.
+
+The train was traveling at a wild pace now and Bob almost lost his
+balance as he walked between the cars. As the anger of the storm
+deepened, he became more convinced than before that Joe Hamsa was the man
+he had seen on the station platform and there was something about the
+wildness of the night and Tully's sudden illness that caused grave
+apprehension in Bob's mind.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter VIII
+                         TULLY'S PAPERS VANISH
+                                   *
+
+
+When Bob returned to the Pullman, Tully was obviously much refreshed from
+his deep sleep and he ate the soup with real relish. After he was through
+and the waiter had gone, Tully spoke to him.
+
+"I'll appreciate it if you'll give me a hand down to the berth," he said.
+"My legs are still a little shaky, but I guess I'm all right otherwise. A
+good night's sleep will put me back to normal."
+
+Bob supported Tully and together they walked down to the berth which had
+been made up. Joe Hamsa was not in the car.
+
+"I still can't figure out what happened to me," said Tully, shaking his
+head.
+
+"You are sure I wasn't struck over the head?" he looked at Bob so sharply
+that Bob was inclined to laugh.
+
+"Don't accuse me of doing a thing like that," he retorted, but there was
+no anger in his words.
+
+"But I tell you it felt like something struck my face. Then there was a
+blanket of darkness that settled over me and I couldn't move or say a
+word. It was a mighty helpless sort of feeling."
+
+Bob agreed that there had been nothing pleasant about the experience and
+he helped Tully in getting undressed. Tully drew the letter with its
+confidential report on the smuggling ring out of an inner pocket.
+
+"This goes under my pillow," he said.
+
+"I thought it was kind of foolish for you to read it while Hamsa was in
+the smoking compartment with you," said Bob, and a flicker of anger
+glowed in Tully's eyes.
+
+"Hamsa's all right," he replied. "You take care of your copy and I'll
+take care of mine."
+
+With that Tully pulled out the flap of the envelope and drew forth the
+closely typewritten pages which comprised the report.
+
+Bob saw a sudden, startled change in Tully's face, and he leaned closer.
+
+"Bob," whispered the other. "Look at these pages. Am I seeing things?"
+
+Bob picked up the handful of data and scanned the typewritten words. Even
+before he read the printing on the page he knew that something was wrong
+for the paper was thicker than that upon which his report had been
+written.
+
+But the real shock was when he read the first page. It was a recipe for
+making dill pickles.
+
+"It's a pickle recipe," gasped Bob.
+
+Tully nodded grimly.
+
+"Look at the rest of them!"
+
+Bob skimmed through the pages, bending down to examine each one closely.
+Instead of the confidential data the pages were mimeographed recipes and
+Bob and Tully stared at each other in amazement.
+
+"My report's been stolen!"
+
+It was Tully speaking and he sounded like a stricken man. Then he grasped
+Bob's shoulders.
+
+"This isn't a trick you're playing on me?" he demanded.
+
+"Don't be silly," said Bob firmly. "That isn't my idea of a joke. We've
+got to get busy now."
+
+Bob pressed the buzzer for the porter, who put in an almost immediate
+appearance.
+
+"Get the Pullman conductor here at once," he commanded.
+
+"Sorry, boss, but he's eating supper up ahead."
+
+"Get him," retorted Bob, and the manner in which he gave the order sent
+the porter scurrying up the aisle.
+
+"How could this have happened?" asked Tully, and from the heaviness of
+his voice Bob knew that his companion had not fully thrown off the
+effects of the attack which had overcome him that afternoon.
+
+"The secret of this is somewhere on the Limited," replied Bob. "Only
+three people, in addition to myself, were in the compartment with you.
+One was the Pullman conductor, the other was Hamsa, and the third was the
+porter. I think we can rule out the porter for he was in there only once
+or twice. There's just a chance the conductor might have come back in
+while I was in the diner."
+
+"What motive would he have in taking such a report?" Tully wanted to know
+and Bob confessed that there apparently was none.
+
+The conductor, evidently irritated at being called from his dinner,
+entered the car and hurried down to the section.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked crisply.
+
+Bob did not like the tone of his voice and he drew forth the little badge
+which identified him. The conductor's eyes widened in astonishment and
+there was an instant change in his attitude. He looked toward Tully
+significantly.
+
+"Prisoner?" he asked.
+
+"No. He's a federal agent like myself. Sometime after he was stricken
+this afternoon an envelope containing valuable information was taken from
+him and worthless papers substituted."
+
+"You're not suspecting me of this, are you?" asked the conductor and
+there was such pathetic anxiety in his voice that Bob felt that the man
+was innocent of any wrong doing.
+
+"I'm not suspecting or accusing anyone at present," replied Bob. "I
+simply want to know if you saw anything unusual going on in this car at
+any time while I was in the diner and while my companion was asleep on
+the couch in the compartment ahead."
+
+The conductor shook his head.
+
+"I was through the car twice," he said, "and the only one here was the
+man who had lower nine. The first time he was in his seat and the second
+time he was near the rear vestibule. He had on a slicker and had the
+upper part of the door open."
+
+"When was that?" The question shot eagerly from Bob's lips.
+
+"Just before our last stop at Atkinson where we took on coal and water,"
+replied the conductor. "I didn't notice him again until up in the diner a
+few minutes ago."
+
+"The vestibule door was opened by someone while we were in Atkinson," put
+in the porter.
+
+"Then lower nine's passenger must have taken a walk. Fine night for a
+thing like that," said the conductor. "Come to think of it, I did see his
+slicker on another chair in the diner."
+
+There was no question now but that Joe Hamsa had been the man Bob had
+seen on the station platform, and the suspicious feeling Bob had held
+toward him from the beginning was strengthened.
+
+"I'm going forward to talk with Hamsa," he told Tully, and he started
+ahead through the train as fast as he could walk.
+
+When he reached the diner the steward was turning down the lights.
+
+"I'm looking for a dark, heavy-set fellow who was wearing a black
+slicker," said Bob. "He belongs in car 43."
+
+"He left not more than two or three minutes ago," replied the steward.
+"You should have met him, for he started back into the Pullmans."
+
+Bob shook his head.
+
+"I just came from car 43 and he couldn't have passed me."
+
+"He might have turned around and gone up into the coaches," said the
+steward. "I've been busy in the kitchen checking with the chef. You might
+look up ahead."
+
+Bob went up into the day coaches and found the train conductor in the
+forward car. There were three day coaches on the train and the conductor
+was busy making out his reports.
+
+The young federal agent wasted no time in identifying himself.
+
+"There's a man aboard I want to question," he explained. "He was in the
+diner a few minutes ago and after finishing his meal started back for the
+Pullmans. He belongs in lower nine of car 43, but I'm sure he didn't
+reach there. Get your brakeman out and search this train."
+
+The small gold badge Bob displayed worked magic with the trainman and he
+summoned his brakeman. Bob gave them a brief description of Hamsa and
+they started back through the train.
+
+Every vestibule and every compartment was checked as the three worked
+methodically. They even looked into the kitchen on the dining car while
+the chef, a jolly negro, grinned at them.
+
+Back in car 43 they found the Pullman conductor standing watch beside
+Tully.
+
+"There's no sign of Hamsa up ahead," said Bob. "He didn't come this way?"
+
+"No one's been through this car," replied the Pullman official firmly.
+
+Bob shook his head.
+
+"A man can't vanish on a train and we've been running too fast for him to
+jump off. That would have been sheer suicide."
+
+There were two more Pullmans and an observation lounge car behind car 43
+and with the trainmen at his heels, Bob resumed the search.
+
+The next two cars were practically deserted and even in the observation
+lounge there were only five passengers in addition to the porter. They
+looked up with evident interest at the wholesale invasion of the trainmen
+and the grim intentness of the expression on Bob's face.
+
+But the observation car failed to yield any sign of Hamsa and Bob stepped
+out on the rain-lashed platform. The Limited whistled sharply and seconds
+later rumbled through a small village. Then the train was rushing through
+the desolate night once more.
+
+The young federal agent turned and re-entered the car and the feeling of
+unrest which had gripped him ever since meeting Joe Hamsa deepened. There
+was something about the diamond salesman that sent shivers up and down
+Bob's spine.
+
+"That fellow's got to be on the train some place for we haven't even
+slowed up since we left Atkinson," said the train conductor. "We'd better
+look again."
+
+They started forward, once more examining every compartment aboard the
+train, and this time they even went into the baggage car, but the
+baggageman insisted that no one had been through his car.
+
+Back in the first day coach they stopped to take council.
+
+"I'm afraid he's fallen off the train in some manner," said the train
+conductor. "We're stopping in ten minutes at a junction and I'll send a
+wire back to division headquarters. They'll warn all trains over the road
+to watch for him."
+
+Bob, however, doubted that Hamsa had fallen from the train for he felt
+that the diamond salesman was far too clever and cautious to be the
+victim of such an accident.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter IX
+                           BOB GETS A WARNING
+                                   *
+
+
+The young federal agent returned to car 43 and related in detail to Tully
+the result of the search of the train.
+
+"It doesn't seem possible that Hamsa could be on the train, yet I am sure
+that he did not fall off," concluded Bob.
+
+"I've the same feeling," said Tully. "You're sure you didn't miss any
+place?"
+
+"We looked in every closet and compartment aboard the Limited," insisted
+Bob. "We'd have found even a fly if one had been aboard."
+
+Tully was visibly downcast for he felt the loss of his confidential
+instructions keenly.
+
+"Hamsa is the only one who could have taken them," he said, half to
+himself.
+
+Bob felt like telling Tully that he should have known better than to have
+opened and read them in the presence of anyone else, but he checked the
+impulse, and was glad that he had had the foresight to protect his own
+papers by placing them in his Gladstone bag.
+
+The train slowed to a stop at a lonely junction and Bob went to the
+vestibule where the porter opened the upper half of the door for him.
+
+The federal agent, peering ahead through the rain, saw the train
+conductor make a dash for the station where a night operator was on duty.
+The conductor ran back to the train just before the engineer "whistled
+in" the flagman and Bob knew that already a message was humming over the
+wires telling of the disappearance of Joe Hamsa, the diamond salesman.
+
+The porter closed the upper half of the door and Bob returned to the
+Pullman. The lights had been turned low and he looked in at Tully, who
+was dozing.
+
+Bob was too wide awake to think of sleep just then, and he went ahead to
+the smoking compartment, where the porter had left an evening paper.
+
+Bob picked up the paper and scanned the headlines on the first page, but
+there was nothing recorded in the news there that drew his attention and
+he turned to the sports page, where football dope stories could be found
+plentifully, for Bob liked nothing better in the sports world than a good
+football game.
+
+The train conductor came in and sat down.
+
+"It's a bad night," he said, looking at the curtain of rain which swept
+the windows. "We'll be late getting into Jacksonville. A message at the
+junction back there gave us a lot of slow orders where the track is going
+bad ahead of us."
+
+"The rain must be worse farther south," said Bob.
+
+"It's nearly a cloudburst in some places. I wouldn't be surprised if we
+find a bridge washed out and get hung up for hours."
+
+The conductor was silent for a minute. Then he added, "I can't figure out
+where that fellow in lower nine went. Seems impossible that he could have
+fallen off the train, yet he isn't here."
+
+"I'm just as puzzled as you are," admitted Bob, "but I have a feeling
+that no harm has come to him. I sized him up as a fellow pretty well able
+to take care of himself."
+
+"I don't recall seeing him," said the train conductor, "for the Pullman
+conductor handles this end of the Limited. Well, I've more reports to get
+ready."
+
+He got to his feet and started for the door. The Limited lurched heavily
+and the conductor was thrown back against Bob.
+
+"There we go!" he cried. "The track's gone out from under us."
+
+The car was weaving and lurching as the wheels screamed in the grip of
+powerful air brakes, but the rhythmic clack of the trucks told them they
+were still on the rails.
+
+The conductor hoisted himself to his feet and Bob followed him in a dash
+for the vestibule.
+
+"That blamed engineer almost shook us to pieces," groaned the conductor
+as he threw open the top half of the vestibule door and peered out.
+
+Bob, looking over his shoulder, could see a red glare that penetrated
+even the brilliance of the locomotive's headlight.
+
+"Someone's swinging a fuse against us," said the conductor, buttoning up
+his slicker. "I'm going ahead."
+
+Bob ran back into the Pullman and got his own coat. Tully, who was awake
+now, wanted to know what it was all about.
+
+"An emergency stop of some kind," said Bob. "I'll be back soon."
+
+By the time he was back in the vestibule the Limited was grinding to a
+stop and Bob swung down behind the conductor, the two running ahead
+alongside the train as rapidly as they could in the darkness.
+
+The Southern had been flagged at a lonely way station where it seldom if
+ever made a stop, and the engineer, who was leaning from his cab, bawled
+lustily at them.
+
+"Find out what that hick agent means by flagging us down," he shouted.
+"We've got to get rolling again. We're 23 minutes late."
+
+The agent, the red fuse still in his hands, came toward them and Bob
+caught a glimpse of a telegram in one hand.
+
+"What's the idea of flagging us down?" demanded the conductor. "I'm going
+to report you if you haven't a mighty good reason."
+
+The agent's retort was sharp.
+
+"Oh, quit your howling. I waved a fuse at you because I had orders from
+the super to stop this train and deliver a message to one of your
+passengers."
+
+"What's that?" bellowed the conductor. "You had the nerve to stop the
+Southern just to deliver a telegram?"
+
+The agent shrugged. "You heard me. Now I've got to find this passenger
+and deliver the message."
+
+"Give it to me. I'll deliver it." The conductor reached for the telegram,
+but the agent backed away.
+
+"Oh, no you don't. I'm going to deliver this in person and get the
+signature of the man I deliver it to."
+
+"Hurry up there!" It was the engineer, shouting at them above the noise
+of the storm and the air pumps on the locomotive.
+
+"Who's the telegram for?" asked the conductor.
+
+"Bob Houston in lower five, car 43," replied the agent. "Let's get
+going."
+
+"That's all right, I'll sign for the telegram," said Bob. "My name is
+Houston and I'm in lower five, car 43."
+
+The agent looked suspiciously at him as though he had not expected anyone
+as youthful looking as Bob.
+
+"I've got instructions to see a certain badge before I turn over this
+message," he said.
+
+Bob reached into his inner coat pocket, drew forth his billfold, and
+produced the badge.
+
+"That's right," nodded the agent. "Sign this slip."
+
+He produced a pencil and Bob, writing in the light from the headlight,
+signed his name.
+
+"Thanks," said the agent. Then he turned to the conductor. "All right.
+Now you can tell that hoghead up there to pick up his wheels and get the
+string of varnished gondolas out of here. I want to go to sleep."
+
+The conductor snorted, but he was too anxious to get back to his train to
+make a reply.
+
+The vestibule of the forward coach had been opened by the brakeman. They
+climbed aboard and the engineer whistled off the moment they were on the
+train.
+
+Bob looked at the damp envelope in his hands and suddenly he felt himself
+shaking slightly. For some reason the Southern Limited had been stopped
+at a lonely railroad outpost to deliver this message to him. That it was
+important there could be no doubt for he had been forced to identify
+himself before he could obtain the message.
+
+The coach was less than half full and Bob dropped down in the nearest
+seat and ripped open the telegram, looking first at the signature. It was
+from Waldo Edgar, chief of the division of investigation.
+
+Bob read the message quickly and thoroughly:
+
+"This is to warn you that a man known as Joe Hamsa, traveling south with
+you on Limited, is now believed linked with gang we want. Watch Hamsa
+closely and take no chances with him as his record is a ruthless one. In
+view of this, contact Merritt Hughes and Condon Adams when you reach
+Jacksonville."
+
+Bob read the telegram again, folded it carefully and placed it in an
+inside pocket with the feeling that even though Joe Hamsa had disappeared
+from the train, they would meet and that their meeting would not be far
+in the future.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter X
+                               IN CAR 43
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob walked back through the Southern Limited with many things running
+through his mind. His suspicions concerning Joe Hamsa had been confirmed
+by the telegram in his pocket.
+
+The r�le of diamond salesman was an ideal one for Hamsa to assume. In
+that capacity he would be able to go around the country selling the
+smuggled diamonds and if he appeared to be working for a legitimate firm
+of wholesale diamond merchants there was little doubt that he would go
+unmolested by the federal agents.
+
+Bob wondered just how the department had obtained the information on
+Hamsa which had led to the telegram to him. Perhaps his uncle would be
+able to enlighten him when he arrived in Jacksonville the next morning.
+
+The young federal agent entered car 43 and stopped at lower five. He
+parted the curtains and looked down at Tully, who was sound asleep. Tully
+was breathing so deeply that Bob hesitated to awaken him and tell him
+about the message. If Tully was still asleep when Bob went to bed, there
+would still be time to awaken him.
+
+Bob went on back to lower nine, which Hamsa was to have occupied. There
+was nothing on the seats, but Bob caught a glimpse of a bag sticking from
+under the forward seat and he leaned down and pulled a small bag out.
+
+The case was of well worn brown leather securely fastened with two small
+but sturdy padlocks. There was something soft inside, but the leather was
+too thick for his fingers to ascertain just what the contents might be.
+
+The porter came through the car and stopped.
+
+"Haven't seen anything more of the man in lower nine?" asked Bob.
+
+The Pullman employe shook his gray head.
+
+"No sir, and I don't know whether to make up his berth."
+
+"You might as well save yourself work. I don't believe I'd make it up,"
+advised Bob, and the porter, deciding to accept the counsel, went on up
+the aisle.
+
+Bob walked back to the observation and lounge car. There was only one
+passenger who had not retired to his berth in the forward Pullmans. He
+was an elderly man, thin, but with an expression on his face which gave
+one a feeling of tremendous vitality. He was deeply engrossed in reading
+and Bob picked up a newspaper which had been brought aboard the train at
+one of the Carolina towns.
+
+But he found reading a difficult task. His mind was centered on the
+disappearance of Hamsa. It seemed absolutely incredible that a man could
+have vanished from a fast train while it was speeding through the night
+between stations. Yet apparently that was just what had taken place.
+
+Bob knew there was an answer to the problem, and it was probably
+something ridiculously simple, but it evaded his every mental effort and
+he finally turned to the comic page of the newspaper for a chuckle or two
+at the antics of the comic characters.
+
+The other passenger in the car put down the magazine he had been reading
+and went forward to his berth in another car. Bob was alone in the
+observation lounge without even a trainman in the car.
+
+From up ahead the dismal hoot of the locomotive whistle drifted back and
+seconds later the car lurched as the trucks crashed over the frogs of a
+siding and the dimmed lights of a village drifted by in the storm. Then
+the train was in the heart of the desolate night once more.
+
+After the events of the afternoon, with Tully's sudden collapse and the
+disappearance of Hamsa, it was not a scene to inspire confidence in the
+heart of any young federal agent and Bob felt a queer chill running up
+and down his spine. Once or twice before, when sudden danger impended, he
+had had the same feeling.
+
+Some premonition caused Bob to turn quickly toward the forward end of the
+observation car and his eyes riveted on a hand, extended around the edge
+of the corridor, which was groping for the switches controlling the
+lights inside the car.
+
+Bob was motionless, but for only a second. Then he leaped forward, his
+powerful legs driving him ahead as the groping hand finally found the
+switch and he saw the fingers tense as they started to move the lever
+downward which would plunge the car into darkness.
+
+A blanket of darkness engulfed the interior of the observation car and
+Bob heard the faint click of the switch. His body was hurtling forward
+with a momentum impossible to stop and he crashed almost headlong into
+the steel partition at the end of the car.
+
+Bob was dazed by the shock of the impact and he dropped to the floor, too
+bruised to move for a moment.
+
+Then a finger of light sought him out. The tiny ray was almost blinding
+in its brilliance and the beam swept Bob's face as he struggled to get
+up. He was on his knees and facing the mysterious beam when there was a
+sharp blow on his face. The impact was not hard, but there was no
+mistaking that he had been struck.
+
+A sudden nausea swept Bob and he felt his power of control ebbing
+rapidly. He tried to cry out, but his tongue seemed to swell and stick in
+his mouth. His arms dropped at his sides and he felt his knees wobbling.
+In spite of everything he could do he collapsed on the floor of the
+observation car.
+
+The last thing Bob remembered was the thin beam of light which still
+sought him out with relentless steadiness and then a mocking laugh, heavy
+and daring, that might easily have come from the lips of Joe Hamsa had he
+been on the Southern Limited.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter XI
+                             DOUBLE DANGER
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob never knew just how long he was unconscious, but it must have been at
+least half an hour before his mind started to clear and he felt some one
+shaking his shoulders.
+
+His head pounded painfully and it was difficult for him to lift his
+heavy-lidded eyes. Some one moistened his lips and his tongue felt
+better. He tried to talk, but some one cut him short.
+
+"He's coming around now. Lift him into a chair."
+
+The command was obeyed and Bob felt himself being carried into a chair.
+Faintly he heard the steady clack of train trucks and he knew that he was
+still on the Southern Limited.
+
+When his eyes finally focused and his blurred vision cleared he saw the
+train conductor leaning over him. A Pullman porter was just behind and in
+the background another trainman could be seen.
+
+"What happened?" It was the voice of the train conductor.
+
+Bob shook his head. He was still too weak to answer that question, but
+his eyes shot toward the end of the car as though he half expected to see
+a hand move around the corner and grope for the light switch. In his ears
+the mocking laugh he had heard still echoed.
+
+"Where are we?" asked the young federal agent, and when the conductor
+answered Bob knew that the Limited was far behind its usual fast schedule
+into the southland.
+
+Bob looked sharply at the trainmen.
+
+"Have you seen anything of the man in lower nine in the last hour?" The
+question was sharp and he saw the look of surprise that passed over their
+faces.
+
+Denials were quick and emphatic. Quite definitely they had not seen Joe
+Hamsa on the Limited.
+
+Bob shook his head. That was strange for he was sure that it was Hamsa's
+voice he had heard in the car just before he lost consciousness.
+
+"Tell us what happened," urged the train conductor, who was more than a
+little disturbed at the misfortunes which were befalling the passengers
+on the Limited that night. One federal agent had been taken suddenly ill,
+another passenger had disappeared, the train had been flagged down at a
+lonely station for a telegram, and now the second federal agent had been
+found unconscious in the observation car. It was, admitted the trainman,
+too much for him to untangle.
+
+Bob felt more like talking now, and he told his story briefly.
+
+"I turned toward the forward end of the car just in time to see some
+one's hand groping around the corner for the light switch. I jumped for
+the switch, but the lights were snapped out before I could reach it."
+
+Bob paused for a moment, then went on.
+
+"I crashed into the steel partition at the end of the lounge section of
+the car and fell down. Before I could get to my feet whoever had turned
+off the lights snapped on a small but very brilliant flash light and
+focused it on my eyes. Before I could get to my feet there was a sharp
+impact on my face. It was just as though some one had struck me a sharp
+blow. After that a wave of nausea swept over me and that was the last
+thing I remember until a few minutes ago."
+
+The conductor's worry was reflected on his frank face.
+
+"The flagman, coming back from the head end, found the car in darkness
+and when he turned on the lights he almost fell over you. I was pretty
+worried, but the porter told me that you acted like your friend this
+afternoon and I knew he was coming around all right so it wasn't as bad
+as it might have been."
+
+"Just before I lost consciousness," went on Bob, "I heard some one laugh
+and I would have sworn it was the voice of Hamsa, the man who has
+disappeared from lower nine."
+
+"Couldn't have been," declared the conductor. "I've been all over the
+train and know he isn't aboard."
+
+"Then who could have turned off the lights in this car?" demanded Bob and
+the conductor shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment.
+
+"I'll be glad when we're at the end of the division," he said. "This
+thing is getting my nerves. Next thing I'll be seeing ghosts. You fellows
+must have eaten some tainted food."
+
+"No, that's out. Neither my companion nor I had a meal together before we
+got on this train this afternoon and he was taken ill before the evening
+meal was served in the diner."
+
+"That's right," agreed the conductor. "Well, you puzzle it out. I guess
+that's your profession."
+
+Bob got to his feet. His legs were still a little shaky and the porter
+hurried away for more coffee. When it was brought Bob drank two more cups
+of the hot liquid, then he walked up and down the car several times.
+
+"If you can rustle up a sandwich out of the diner, I'll feel better when
+I get some more food in my stomach," said Bob, and the porter went out to
+fill his request.
+
+The conductor turned to the flagman.
+
+"Don't leave this car again, except when you have to get off to protect
+the back end at flag stops," he ordered. "I don't want any more
+mysterious attacks on this train while I'm in charge of it."
+
+Then he looked at Bob, who was still white around the lips.
+
+"Better get to bed and enjoy a few hours sleep, young man. You're
+starting to look like a fish that's been out of water too long."
+
+"I'm coming along all right," declared Bob. "As soon as I have a sandwich
+I'll feel better. I'm convinced that Hamsa is on this train some place
+and I'm going to find him."
+
+The conductor stared at Bob as though he thought the young federal agent
+was mentally unbalanced. Then, shaking his head and muttering to himself,
+he started forward to continue his greatly interrupted work on his
+reports.
+
+The porter came back with a tray on which were two large, thick, meat
+sandwiches and a glass of milk and Bob sat down in the observation car to
+enjoy the late lunch.
+
+The flagman, at the back end of the car, was inclined to be more
+talkative than the conductor.
+
+"Everyone on the train's shaky tonight," he confided. "We got a message
+we picked up on the run a few minutes ago and a fast freight that's been
+coming along right after us wasn't able to find any trace of Hamsa along
+the stretch of road where we know he disappeared."
+
+"How fast were we running along that section?" asked Bob.
+
+"Never under fifty, and most of the time between fifty-five and
+sixty-five."
+
+"Then a man wouldn't have much chance of jumping from the train without
+such serious injury that he would be unable to get away?" pressed Bob.
+
+"I should say he wouldn't. At the very least he would get a broken leg
+and he wouldn't be able to get far from the right-of-way in that
+condition. And remember that it's been storming hard ever since yesterday
+afternoon."
+
+Bob knew that the trainman was right. It would have been almost sure
+suicide to have leaped from the speeding Limited and he was more
+convinced than ever that Hamsa was somewhere aboard the train.
+
+"We've been over every car from head to rear and back again," said Bob.
+"Have you any idea where he could hide?"
+
+The flagman removed his cap and scratched his head.
+
+"He didn't go through the baggage car?" he asked.
+
+"No," replied Bob.
+
+"How about under the steps in the vestibules? Did you lift all of the
+traps?"
+
+Bob's startled expression was sufficient answer to the flagman, who got
+hastily to his feet.
+
+"No, we didn't look under the traps," admitted Bob.
+
+"Then we'd better get busy. We can do it alone, working ahead through
+each car."
+
+The flagman started for the back end of the train, evidently intent on
+checking the trap doors on the observation platform when a sharp call
+from Bob stopped him.
+
+"Hamsa isn't going to be an easy man to take if he's hiding under one of
+the traps. Wait until I can go forward and get a gun out of my bag."
+
+"I'll wait," agreed the flagman, who obviously had not thought that they
+might encounter armed resistance.
+
+Bob, running lightly, sped through the two forward Pullmans and into car
+forty-three. His own Gladstone was still under the berth in which Tully
+was sleeping so heavily.
+
+The young federal agent bent down and dragged it out. He knew just where
+he had put the gun and his hands sought it after he had opened the bag.
+But the weapon was not where Bob had placed it and a new feeling of
+anxiety gripped him.
+
+With desperate hands he rummaged through the bag. The gun and box of
+cartridges he had placed there were gone!
+
+Bob picked up the big bag and carried it to a berth further down the
+aisle where he snapped on the seat lights. Once more his hands ran
+through the clothing which filled the bag.
+
+The revolver was gone, but the rifle he was taking south with him was
+intact, although the ammunition for it was missing. Some one had looted
+the bag and in doing so had left Bob defenseless against any armed
+attack.
+
+The discovery that his own bag had been searched so disturbed Bob that
+for a moment he forgot the important confidential papers on the smuggling
+case which he had placed there.
+
+When he recalled them, he started another search of the bag, turning
+clothes topsy-turvy in his search for the envelope and the precious
+information which it contained.
+
+Bob searched both sides of the Gladstone with a heart that grew heavier
+with apprehension as each second passed. There was no question now--his
+own confidential papers had been stolen.
+
+His hands went to the inner coat pocket where he had tucked the telegram
+warning them against Hamsa. When he drew them out his hands were empty.
+Even that message had disappeared and Bob knew then, without question,
+that Hamsa was somewhere on the train.
+
+With the telegram from Washington in his possession and the knowledge
+that the federal agents were closing in on him, Hamsa would be doubly
+dangerous and Bob was unarmed.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XII
+                             A NEW MYSTERY
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob sat in the berth for a time, thinking what to do next. He was certain
+that Hamsa was on the train and he knew that the other was capably armed,
+for he had Bob's own revolver and there was no question but that he would
+use the weapon if his hand was forced too far.
+
+Bob got up and walked back to lower five where Tully was in a deep sleep.
+His traveling companion's bag was in the rack above his berth and Bob
+reached in and pulled it out into the aisle, letting the heavy curtains
+fall back into place.
+
+He went through the bag methodically, for Tully's gun should have been
+there. Bob searched every article in the bag twice, but the hunt was
+fruitless. There was no weapon there. Hamsa had done a thorough job of
+disarming the federal agents.
+
+Bob replaced Tully's bag and then returned to the observation car where
+the flagman was waiting for him. He spread his empty hands in an
+expressive gesture.
+
+"Some one's been through my bag and my gun's gone," said Bob. "Whoever it
+was also went through the other agent's bag for he's been disarmed."
+
+The flagman's eyes narrowed.
+
+"I'm not so keen about going on with this search unless we're armed," he
+declared.
+
+"Any guns of any kind on the train?"
+
+"The baggage man up ahead has one, but I don't suppose he would loan it
+to anyone."
+
+"There's no harm in trying," decided Bob, and he started forward through
+the train once more.
+
+The conductor was in the last coach forward and Bob quickly explained
+what had happened. The trainman went ahead and tapped on the door of the
+baggage car.
+
+It was opened cautiously and the baggage man stuck his head out.
+
+"What do you want?" he demanded gruffly.
+
+"Let us in," cried the conductor and they stepped into the baggage car as
+a curtain of rain swept down off the roof of the train.
+
+Bob displayed his badge and then told what he needed.
+
+"I can't let you have my service gun," replied the baggage man, "but I've
+got a .22 target pistol I always carry along in my bag. You can have that
+if it will do you any good."
+
+"It's pretty light. But it will be better than nothing," decided Bob as
+the baggage man obtained the weapon and handed it to him.
+
+"The only clip of cartridges I have for it are in the gun," he explained,
+"so be careful on the ammunition if you get in a tight place."
+
+Bob and the conductor returned to the forward coach.
+
+"Which end of the train are you going to start from?" asked the
+conductor.
+
+"We'll go back to the observation car and work forward," said Bob. "The
+flagman is back there waiting for me."
+
+"I'll go with you. I want him to stay on the back end and protect us if
+we have to make a sudden stop. The track is getting soft and there's a
+fast freight that's pounding along after us too close for comfort. I
+don't want them piling into the back end of the Limited on a night like
+this."
+
+It was late as they started back once more and most of the passengers in
+the day coaches, curled into grotesque attitudes on the seats, were
+asleep. In the Pullmans the solid rows of green curtains swung to and fro
+as the train sped southward.
+
+Bob thought of the possibility that Joe Hamsa might be hiding in one of
+the unoccupied berths, but he knew that the train crew had made a
+thorough search of each berth.
+
+Standing a lonely vigil in the observation car had done little to help
+the jumpy nerves of the flagman and he was obviously relieved when he
+found that the conductor had decided to help Bob in the search of the
+vestibule steps.
+
+"Better turn down the lights in this car," advised the conductor. "All of
+the passengers on the Pullmans are in bed."
+
+"Nothing doing," insisted the flagman. "This is one night when I want
+plenty of light in this car and I'd just as soon have plenty of company
+of the right kind. I thought I heard some one moving around several
+times."
+
+"You've been reading too many mystery stories," jeered the conductor.
+
+Bob led the way to the rear platform of the train and they stepped out
+into the raw bluster of the night.
+
+The young federal agent took the target pistol out of his coat pocket and
+slipped the catch off the safety while the conductor focused the beam
+from his flash light on one of the traps in the floor of the vestibule.
+
+The flagman, his foot poised to kick the catch, saw Bob nod and the next
+second the trap door swung upward as unseen springs provided the
+momentum. They stared down at the empty steps and the rays of the flash
+light, penetrating even beyond, showed the ends of the ties as they
+projected beyond the rain-swept ballast.
+
+Down went the trap door and the flagman turned to the other side of the
+platform. Bob felt his heart beating harder. Actually he hardly knew what
+he would do if the trap, flying upward, were to reveal the hunched figure
+of Joe Hamsa.
+
+The flagman kicked the release lever and the door sprung upward. Once
+more they stared at vacant steps and an endless row of marching ties.
+
+They returned to the observation car.
+
+"Hope you have a nice party," grinned the flagman as Bob and the
+conductor started forward to continue the search of the vestibule steps.
+
+"Seems like kind of a foolish thing to do," grumbled the conductor.
+
+"That may be, but I'm convinced that Hamsa is still aboard this train and
+the vestibule steps are the last place I can think of," retorted Bob.
+
+Four more traps were opened without success and they walked through
+another Pullman. Finally they came to car 43, where Tully was sleeping
+soundly. Their search at one end of the car was without result and they
+walked down to lower five.
+
+One curtain in the berth seemed to be caught and pulled back inward. It
+was this which attracted Bob's attention and made him pause. He leaned
+over to adjust the curtain and just then the train lurched sharply and he
+was thrown into the berth.
+
+Bob attempted to brace himself and keep from falling on the sleeping
+Tully, but his efforts were without avail and he dropped rather heavily
+into the berth.
+
+Bob expected Tully to cry out, but there was no answer from the other
+young federal agent and Bob, struggling to his feet, parted the curtains
+and with the conductor peering over his shoulder, looked in.
+
+The bedding had been thrown carelessly to the back of the berth and Tully
+was missing!
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XIII
+                                GOING ON
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob turned and stared at the conductor with unbelieving eyes.
+
+"He's gone!" said Bob mechanically.
+
+But it couldn't be possible for only a few minutes before he had looked
+in at Tully when he had examined the contents of his bag in the search
+for a weapon. Tully had been sleeping deeply but peacefully then.
+
+"Maybe he walked up ahead to get a drink," suggested the conductor. But
+there was little actual hope in his voice that this had happened.
+
+"Get ahead and see if he's there," ordered Bob and the conductor hurried
+away.
+
+Bob threw back the curtains in the berth and looked for some evidence of
+a struggle for he was convinced in his own mind that Tully had never left
+the berth of his own free will. For one thing Tully had been too ill to
+get up and do any walking on the train.
+
+The conductor returned promptly. There was no sign of Tully in the head
+end of the Pullman.
+
+Bob rummaged through the sheets and blankets on the bed and his hands
+suddenly came on something firm. He drew the object out of the bedding
+and gazed at it under the rays of the berth light which he had turned on.
+It was a leather covered blackjack.
+
+"This spells trouble in capital letters," said Bob as he drew out a clean
+handkerchief and turned the blackjack over. "Some one slugged Tully and
+then carried him out of his berth. This train is haunted."
+
+"I'm beginning to believe so myself," agreed the conductor. "Who could
+have carried him away?"
+
+"There's only one answer to that--Hamsa," asserted Bob. "What I want to
+know is what happened to Tully?"
+
+The conductor shook his head in glum perplexity. Events were happening
+too swiftly for him to comprehend. First valuable papers had been stolen,
+then a gun, and a federal agent had disappeared from his berth. The
+trainman would welcome the end of the division and his run.
+
+The brakeman, coming back from the head end on his rounds, stopped in the
+Pullman.
+
+"One of you fellows leave the vestibule door up ahead open?" he asked.
+
+"No," replied Bob sharply.
+
+"Well, some one did. I closed it when I came along."
+
+A look of apprehension flitted across Bob's face.
+
+"Which vestibule was open?" he demanded.
+
+"Left hand one on the car just ahead," replied the brakeman.
+
+Without further questioning, Bob dashed ahead, a mounting fear tugging at
+his heart.
+
+The conductor and brakeman followed him through the car and out into the
+vestibule where the steady clacking of the trucks beneath the Pullmans
+filled the air.
+
+Bob stepped across the gap into the car ahead. There was a splotch of
+water on the steel floor of the vestibule where the wind had lashed the
+rain in while the door was open.
+
+"This the door that was open?" asked Bob.
+
+"Right. I closed it less than a minute ago," replied the brakeman.
+
+Bob dropped down to his knees and examined the floor of the vestibule. At
+first there appeared to be nothing unusual there, but his sharp eyes
+finally caught sight of a small, dark spot. It was soft and fresh and he
+touched it with his fingers.
+
+Bob drew his hand back where the light was better and examined the dark
+marks on the tips of his fingers. From behind came an involuntary gasp
+from the brakeman.
+
+The dark spots on Bob's fingers were blood and the young federal agent
+looked up at the trainmen with eyes that were hard and piercing.
+
+"Stop this train!" he ordered. "Tully Ross has been thrown from the
+train. We've got to go back."
+
+The conductor was silent for a moment, staring at the dark stains on
+Bob's fingers. Then he shook his head.
+
+"We can't stop and go back. There's a fast freight following right behind
+us and they might ram us. We'll have to run to the nearest station with a
+night operator. Then we can get word back to division headquarters."
+
+"But we've got to stop. He may be seriously injured."
+
+The conductor looked at his watch. Just then the air brakes went on and
+streams of sparks flew from the wet trucks underneath.
+
+"We're slowing down now for Robertson where we take on water. There's a
+night operator there. We can send a message back and get new orders."
+
+The brakeman threw open the vestibule door on the right side and almost
+before the train came to a stop Bob and the conductor were running
+forward.
+
+When they reached the small station Bob dictated the message and the
+conductor told the operator to rush it through.
+
+"That freight's only ten miles up the line. It's at Quasqueton now. Maybe
+we can catch it," said the operator.
+
+Bob nodded and the operator pounded his key hard with a desperate call
+for the night man at Quasqueton. It seemed ages before there was an
+answer. Actually the Quesqueton operator answered in less than a minute.
+
+"Hold the freight," snapped back the operator beside Bob, and just then
+the dispatcher at division headquarters chimed in and wanted to know what
+it was all about.
+
+The story was snapped over the wires as the bent fingers of the operator
+at Robertson tapped out the facts. The answer from the dispatcher came
+sharply, first a message to the freight.
+
+"To enginemen and trainmen of extra X703 South. Use all precautions in
+moving from Quasqueton to Robertson to find federal agent believed thrown
+from Southern Limited. Report immediately upon arrival at Robertson."
+
+That message was followed by one to the Limited to proceed. The night
+operator copied this quickly and handed the thin tissues to the
+conductor, who was buttoning up his coat before going back into the
+desolation of that wild night.
+
+"Going on with us, or will you stay here and wait for the freight to come
+through and report?"
+
+Bob hesitated. If he remained at the lonely station he would have first
+hand information if Tully was found by the freight crew. On the other
+hand, he was convinced that Joe Hamsa was still aboard the Southern
+Limited and that he had on his person the confidential documents on the
+smuggling ring which had been stolen from Tully and Bob.
+
+The decision was made quickly.
+
+"I'm going on the Limited. What's our next stop?"
+
+The conductor named a junction thirty miles down the line.
+
+"Will the freight be in here by the time we reach the junction?" Bob
+asked the night operator.
+
+"It will at the rate the Limited is running tonight," replied the
+operator. "Quasqueton is reporting the freight out right now."
+
+"Let's go," called the conductor.
+
+The trainman hurried outside and Bob banged the door after him. The
+federal agent went back to the Pullmans while the conductor ran forward
+with the orders for the engineer. A minute later the Limited hooted
+shrilly and once more started southward.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XIV
+                           THE LIGHTS GO OUT
+                                   *
+
+
+Back in the Pullman from which Tully had vanished Bob took off the coat
+which had protected him from the storm. He sat down opposite the berth
+and carefully examined the target revolver. An eerie feeling ran along
+his spine. He felt as though some one was watching him and he turned and
+scanned the windows of the Pullman. But that was impossible for the
+Limited was already running better than thirty miles an hour and no one
+could possibly have clung to the side of the train.
+
+The conductor came back through.
+
+"I'm going to finish that search," declared Bob, and the trainman,
+without further comment, joined him.
+
+Working together and moving cautiously, they raised up the trap door on
+every vestibule clear up to the baggage car. There was no one hidden on
+the steps.
+
+"If there was ever anyone there, he got off at Robertson," said the
+conductor.
+
+But Bob shook his head.
+
+"I don't think so," he said firmly. "What would a man stop there for?
+It's miles from any other town, and there are no good highways nearby to
+make a get-away in a car."
+
+"Maybe you're right, but there's no one on this train."
+
+Bob wasn't so sure. A crafty man such as Hamsa had shown himself to be
+could have moved to the shelter of one of the rear vestibules while the
+Limited was standing at Robertson for Bob had checked these vestibules
+before the train stopped there.
+
+"I'm going to work from the front to the back," declared Bob, and the
+conductor looked at him suspiciously as though thinking that the strain
+of the night might have unbalanced Bob. But he went along without
+complaint when the federal agent started the hunt again.
+
+Car by car they inspected the train. The small dark spot they had found
+in one vestibule had dried and Bob didn't dare think what might have
+happened to Tully. While there was no love lost between them, Bob had no
+desire to see any harm come to the other.
+
+As they entered the observation car, the Limited started slowing down.
+
+The conductor, pressing his face against one of the rain-washed panes of
+glass, peered ahead.
+
+"Junction showing now," he said as Bob stepped in after inspecting the
+trap doors on the observation platform.
+
+A red lantern was being swung at the junction platform and the minute the
+Limited drew to a halt beside the cinder platform Bob and the trainman
+started running forward.
+
+A night operator, swathed in a heavy storm coat, greeted them.
+
+"Message from Robertson for Bob Houston," he told the conductor. "Fine
+thing to make a man deliver telegrams at this time of night."
+
+The conductor didn't bother to answer the operator's complaint but handed
+the message to Bob, who tore open the envelope and read the brief message
+inside.
+
+"Man you reported missing found by freight crew. Has cut on head and is
+bruised. Otherwise appears okay. Proceeding on to junction aboard
+freight."
+
+Bob breathed a sigh of relief for he was honestly glad to know that no
+serious harm had befallen Tully.
+
+"Are you going on with us or will you stay here?" asked the conductor.
+
+Bob hesitated for only a moment.
+
+"I'm going on," he decided, for he knew that Tully would be placed in
+good hands by the railroad people and could proceed on alone to his
+assignment as soon as he felt well enough. In the meantime, Bob was still
+convinced that Joe Hamsa was somewhere aboard the Limited for he knew
+that Hamsa's destination, like his own, was somewhere along the east
+coast of Florida and he felt sure that Hamsa would lose no time in
+attempting to reach it. In view of that, Bob felt the gangster would
+continue on the Limited.
+
+Two short, impatient blasts sounded up ahead and the Limited jerked into
+motion as Bob and the conductor swung back onto the train.
+
+Bob had the borrowed revolver in one hand and as he swung up after the
+conductor one hand slipped on the wet handrail and he nearly fell. To
+save himself he grasped the railing with the other hand and dropped the
+gun just as the Limited rolled over a small culvert. It was impossible to
+stop and retrieve the gun and Bob was unarmed for a second time that
+night.
+
+"I guess the fellow you're hunting has disappeared for good," said the
+conductor as he lowered the trap in the vestibule.
+
+Bob, shaking the rain off his coat, nodded absent-mindedly and the
+trainman went forward while Bob returned to the Pullman. A queer feeling
+went through his body as he walked down the silent car. It was from this
+car that their confidential documents had disappeared and it was from the
+very berth that Bob had intended occupying that Tully had vanished.
+
+The porter was evidently keeping as far away from the car as possible for
+he failed to answer Bob's summons. However, a berth farther down the car
+had been made up and Bob decided to slip off his shoes and lie down there
+to rest.
+
+With a little relaxation he might be able to think better; perhaps even
+to unravel all of the strange events which had taken place on the train
+since it had left Washington.
+
+The Limited sped southward steadily and the clicking of the trucks soon
+lulled Bob to sleep in spite of his efforts to keep awake.
+
+The young federal agent had no idea how long he had been asleep when he
+awoke suddenly with the breathless blackness of the car all around him.
+He rallied his thoughts.
+
+The lights in the car had been on the last he could remember, for he had
+not drawn the curtains of his berth.
+
+Bob sat upright in the berth and waited. The trucks were still echoing
+the pace of the train and Bob thought that the porter might have snapped
+the wrong switch.
+
+Then he heard a movement down the aisle and knew instantly that some one
+was in the car.
+
+Could it be Hamsa? That was the first question that flashed through Bob's
+mind.
+
+The federal agent gathered his feet beneath him. There wasn't even time
+for him to grope under the berth in quest of his shoes for he could hear
+the stealthy approach of the intruder.
+
+Bob strained his eyes in an effort to detect the movement of the marauder
+but the darkness of the car was too dense. He could only wait, but he
+felt that he had an advantage now, for he would be able to take the other
+by surprise.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter XV
+                              IN THE AISLE
+                                   *
+
+
+The Limited heeled sharply as it struck a curve and the whistle moaned a
+warning through the wetness of the night. A street light flickered by and
+in the flash of light that penetrated the car Bob caught a fleeting
+glimpse of a man in the aisle. The figure of the intruder was heavy and
+he was hunched forward. There had been no chance to recognize the face,
+but Bob was sure now that the other man in the car was Hamsa.
+
+Another street light shot a beam through the windows and it played
+squarely on the face of the man in the aisle. It was Hamsa!
+
+Bob felt in his coat pockets for something to defend himself and his
+groping hands came on the blackjack which Hamsa had used on Tully. There
+was the grim hint of a smile on Bob's lips as he slipped his right hand
+through the leather thong on the leaden slug. He now had both an
+effective and dangerous weapon and he knew he would be justified in using
+it.
+
+Once more there came the streak of light in the car as the Limited roared
+over another crossing and Bob saw that Hamsa was nearer, almost at the
+head of the berth.
+
+With his muscles tense and his whole body balanced, Bob waited for
+another flash of light from the street which would give him an
+opportunity to strike down the intruder. Then the clatter of the trucks
+over switch points told him the train was out of the village. Whatever
+happened from that point on would probably be in utter darkness unless
+the porter happened to come back into the car and turn on the lights.
+
+The Limited settled down to its steady stride again and Bob, tense and
+crouching waited. His breath was coming in short jerks and he was afraid
+that his heart was pounding so hard its beats would be audible to the
+other who was intent on catching him by surprise in the darkened berth.
+
+By straining his eyes Bob finally made out the approaching shadow that
+was Hamsa. He drew back his right arm and waited.
+
+Hamsa came nearer, treading cautiously lest he alarm the youth he
+believed was sleeping soundly in the berth.
+
+Suddenly a beam of light shot out from Hamsa's hand as he turned on a
+flash light, but the rays fell only on the rumpled bedclothes.
+
+Bob heard a smothered exclamation from the other and before Hamsa could
+swing the beam of the flash light around in search of him he struck forth
+with the blackjack.
+
+Just as Bob swung the weapon the trucks hit a sag in the track and the
+young federal agent was thrown partially off balance. He had aimed at
+Hamsa's head, and although his blow missed that the weapon crashed down
+on his shoulder and Bob heard a sharp cry of pain.
+
+He jerked back the weapon and struck again and again. Each time he heard
+a cry of pain and then the flash light thudded to the floor and its beam
+went out.
+
+They went at it hand to hand then, Hamsa wresting the blackjack away from
+Bob and hurling it to the far end of the car. The other man was much
+older and twice as heavy as Bob, but he was not as lithe and his fists
+could not move as rapidly.
+
+It was a bitter struggle there in the narrow, darkened aisle of the
+Pullman. Hamsa kicked out viciously and the blow caught Bob in the
+stomach. He felt sick all over and dropped into the aisle, crouching
+there and seeking temporary shelter until he felt able to resume the
+battle.
+
+Hamsa bent down and searched for the flash light and Bob lashed out at
+him with one foot. The blow caught the other in the face and was answered
+by a startled exclamation of pain and rage.
+
+Then Bob's own hands came upon the flash light. He picked it up and his
+fingers sought the little button which controlled its beam of light. Bob
+turned on the light and the rays swept down the aisle, coming to rest on
+the battered face of Hamsa.
+
+It was not until then that Bob realized how powerful had been his own
+blows for it was obvious that his assailant was in distress. Now if he
+could land a real knockout he would be able to leave Hamsa long enough to
+summon assistance from the trainmen.
+
+Bob started down the aisle, but pulled up short when Hamsa drew a gun
+from his coat pocket. The young federal agent, unarmed, was in no
+position to face a man with a gun and he tried to duck behind a seat. But
+Hamsa fired a snap shot and the flash light, shattered by the bullet,
+dropped out of Bob's numbed hand.
+
+The tables had been turned. Where Bob had held the advantage a moment
+before with the flash light, Hamsa, aided by the darkness and his gun,
+was in a position to win.
+
+But he had evidently had enough of hand to hand encounters for one night
+and Bob heard him running toward the rear of the car. A moment later the
+door of the Pullman slammed shut.
+
+Bob stepped out into the aisle and massaged his right hand. It prickled
+sharply as the blood flowed back into the fingers which had been bruised
+by the flash light as the bullet had torn it out of his hands.
+
+Then Bob took up the chase, for he felt sure that Hamsa must be seeking
+his hideout on the train. If he could trace him to it, he would summon
+the trainmen to assist in the capture.
+
+Bob stepped cautiously into the rear vestibule of the car. There was no
+one there and the door to the next Pullman was open. He hastened inside
+and met a startled porter in the aisle.
+
+"Did a man just go down the aisle?" asked Bob.
+
+"Yes, sir, Boss, and he looked like he'd been in a fight."
+
+"That's the fellow I'm after," said Bob. "Run up ahead and get the
+conductor and any other trainmen you can. Tell them to get back here as
+fast as they can."
+
+Then Bob hastened down the aisle and the porter, willing enough to leave
+the car, went forward to carry out Bob's instructions.
+
+The young federal agent hastened through a second Pullman where the
+lights were low and finally stepped into the observation car. So far
+there had been no trace of Hamsa and no indication that he had sought
+shelter under one of the trap doors in the vestibules.
+
+Bob entered the observation car cautiously. The lights had been turned
+down and he stopped at the head end of the car and snapped on all of the
+switches, a torrent of light illuminating the interior of the car. Even
+the observation platform at the back end leaped into view as a special
+light out there came on under the magic touch of the switches.
+
+Bob stared hard at the back of the car. The door to the observation
+platform was open but beyond that he could see a man's legs dangling,
+apparently in midair. Bob threw caution aside then and raced toward the
+half open door at the rear of the car. The legs were being drawn upward,
+twisting and kicking as the man attempted to pull himself onto the roof
+of the observation car. This then was Hamsa's hiding place--on the roof
+of the rear car of the train!
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XVI
+                           FIGHTING FOR LIFE
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob leaped through the door and grabbed at Hamsa's legs. The other man
+kicked viciously, but Bob wrapped his arms around the legs and hung on.
+Once he had a good grip, he started pulling the other man down.
+
+Hamsa was big and he was powerful, but the steady pull from below
+weakened his grip on the steep rungs of the ladder which led to the top
+of the car and Bob could feel himself gaining. In less than a minute the
+other man would be down on the platform beside him and by that time the
+trainmen should be on hand to help him subdue Hamsa.
+
+There was a strange exultation in Bob's heart for he felt sure now that
+he was about to make the first capture in what he felt was to be the
+clean-up of the international gang of smugglers. It made little
+difference whether Hamsa had been trailing them south or whether they had
+encountered each other by accident. The message from Washington had
+indicated that Hamsa was deeply involved and Bob was determined to make
+the capture.
+
+The steady pull Bob put on Hamsa's legs and the tightness of his grasp
+was relentless. Slowly the other man was weakening and Bob braced himself
+and prepared to release Hamsa's legs and cut loose with a half dozen hard
+punches when the other man finally dropped to the observation platform.
+
+There was a commotion at the head end of the car and Bob shifted his head
+just enough to see the train conductor and brakeman, followed by a
+wide-eyed Pullman porter, hurry in.
+
+Hamsa kicked convulsively with his legs, but Bob tightened his grasp.
+Then, without warning, without giving Bob a chance to get set, Hamsa
+suddenly released his hold and dropped. It all happened so quickly that
+Bob later found it a little hard to remember just what took place.
+
+On the split second while he was dropping to the observation platform,
+Hamsa must have seen the trainmen charging down the aisle of the car, for
+when he landed, he was a bundle of tremendous energy that seemed to
+explode in Bob's face.
+
+Great, bear-like arms wrapped themselves around Bob and the young federal
+agent felt himself being lifted upward. For a moment he was helpless, too
+surprised even to attempt to struggle, but a sharp cry from behind him
+caused him to try to strike out with his feet for beneath came the sudden
+rumble of the trucks on a trestle and he knew that Hamsa, in a last
+desperate effort, was attempting to hurl him from the rear platform of
+the train.
+
+The young federal agent wrapped his own arms around Hamsa and clung to
+him desperately. If Bob went, Hamsa would go with him. Of that he was
+certain. The rail of the platform struck Bob's hips and he felt himself
+being forced backward. It was sickening to hear the rumble of the trestle
+beneath and a flood of rain beat down on his face, drenching the upper
+half of his body.
+
+Then Hamsa gave one last, tremendous shove and Bob knew that he was going
+over the edge of the railing, but Hamsa was going with him. The speed of
+the Limited had slackened, but it was still doing at least twenty miles
+an hour when Bob and Hamsa, locked arm in arm, went over the rear
+platform. Bob closed his eyes for the shock of striking the trestle would
+be terrific. If he could only remain on the bridge there would be some
+chance of rescue for the trainmen had seen them go over the back end and
+would hurry back in a searching party.
+
+As they left the train, Bob managed to get one last twist with his toes
+and as they fell, he was on top. The drop from the train to the trestle
+seemed endless. The clatter of the train trucks had dimmed, but a whistle
+up ahead was blaring an alarm.
+
+Then they struck the trestle--struck it hard and rolled over once. The
+fall dazed Bob, but through his foggy mind he could hear the rush of
+water somewhere below.
+
+Hamsa had rolled away from him but it was too dark to see just where and
+Bob clung to the wet steel of one of the rails. He was too weak and
+shaken to think of attempting to get to his feet and back of him he could
+hear the shriek of the air brakes as they clamped down on the wheels of
+the Limited and brought the Southern to an emergency stop just beyond the
+edge of the long trestle.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XVII
+                           INTO ANGRY WATERS
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob ached in every muscle and he wondered, as he lay there on the trestle
+with the rain beating down on him, if the dangers of being a federal
+agent were worth the rewards. Then he swept that thought aside. Of course
+it was worth it, for he was on the side of right and honor--a side for
+which many a sacrifice could be willingly made.
+
+As he lay on the bridge, trying to rally his senses and waiting for
+enough strength to flow back through his body to enable him to sit up,
+Bob's eyes became more accustomed to the rain and the night. He tried to
+pick out the form of Hamsa, who must be close to him, for the other man
+had been underneath when they fell. The shock had been severe enough for
+Bob and he wondered if the other had been seriously injured.
+
+Finally Bob's straining eyes picked out the form of the other man. He was
+some feet away and beyond the outside rail of the trestle--on the very
+edge of the bridge where a false move would plunge him into the rushing
+waters below.
+
+Bob tried to move, but he was still too weak and Hamsa was a dozen feet
+away. He wanted to reach him and pull him away from the edge.
+
+Someone at the end of the bridge was shouting and Bob turned his head to
+see a group of trainmen, lanterns in their hands, making their way out on
+the long trestle. They were coming cautiously for the long rain had made
+the timbers slippery and treacherous.
+
+As the trainmen moved out on the bridge, Bob's eyes went back to Hamsa.
+To his surprise the other man was moving, struggling to sit up, and Bob
+called out a warning.
+
+"Don't move, Hamsa!" he ordered. "You're under arrest. Stay where you are
+or you'll fall off the bridge."
+
+There was no reply from the other, but he continued his struggle to sit
+up and Bob tried to drag himself closer to the man he had placed under
+arrest. There was no strength left in his own arms or legs and he could
+go only a foot or two.
+
+The glow from the lanterns of the approaching trainmen now penetrated the
+blackness and Bob could see Hamsa's face turned toward him.
+
+"You're clever, Kid," growled the other, "but you're not going to arrest
+me this time. I'll see you later and when I do, watch out!"
+
+Then the other turned and deliberately rolled to the edge of the trestle.
+
+"Hamsa, you're under arrest!" cried Bob. But he knew the words were
+futile for the only reply was a mocking laugh. Then Hamsa disappeared
+over the edge and seconds later there was the dull splash of a heavy body
+striking the water. Bob thought he heard the mocking laugh once more, but
+he couldn't be sure.
+
+Then the trainmen, led by the conductor, reached the scene.
+
+"Where's the other fellow?" demanded the conductor.
+
+Bob pointed to the darkness below.
+
+"He just rolled over the edge," he said.
+
+The startled conductor went to the edge of the trestle and swung his
+lantern over the side, but only the rush of dark waters could be seen.
+
+"That's the last you'll see of him," he said. "This stream is on a
+rampage and only a powerful man could get to shore."
+
+Bob nodded, but he was not sure about the conductor's surmise that he had
+seen the last of Hamsa for he was both a powerful and resourceful man.
+
+The trainmen helped Bob to his feet and assisted him back to the Limited.
+
+"I guess now you'll be content to go to bed and give us a little rest,"
+said the conductor when Bob reached his own berth.
+
+"I've got to get off a telegram first," replied Bob. "Give me the name of
+that stream and the correct time."
+
+The conductor supplied the information and Bob wrote a brief report of
+the night's events and addressed it to Waldo Edgar, the chief of the
+division of investigation back in Washington.
+
+"See that this message is dispatched at the first stop," said Bob. Then
+he turned, crawled between the crisp, cool sheets, and dropped into a
+deep sleep of exhaustion.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XVIII
+                            PICKING UP CLUES
+                                   *
+
+
+When he awoke the Limited was pulling into the train shed at Jacksonville
+and his uncle, Merritt Hughes, was waiting for him on the platform.
+
+The older federal agent jumped aboard the Limited before it came to a
+full stop and hastened down the aisle to the berth where Bob, still the
+only occupant of the car, was partially dressed.
+
+"How are you, Bob?" There was real anxiety in the question as Merritt
+Hughes looked down on his capable young nephew.
+
+"I'm a little stiff, but otherwise all right," grinned Bob. "My bag is
+under the berth. See if you can find a clean shirt for me."
+
+"Never mind the shirt now. I want to know what happened last night. We
+got only the briefest word from Washington over the wires and Condon
+Adams left before dawn for the hospital up the line where they took
+Tully."
+
+"Is he all right?" asked Bob.
+
+"I understand he'll have to stay in bed for a couple of days."
+
+"What about the man we knew as Joe Hamsa?"
+
+Merritt Hughes shook his head.
+
+"There are no reports on him. There's a large searching party out looking
+along the banks of the stream where he disappeared, but it looks like
+we've seen the last of him."
+
+Bob wished that he could have had the confidence his uncle displayed in
+believing that Joe Hamsa was gone forever.
+
+At his uncle's urging, Bob recounted in detail everything that had taken
+place after the Limited left Washington.
+
+"So Hamsa hid out on top of the observation car?" mused the federal
+agent. "Well, that's a new one for me. No wonder you failed to find him
+even though you went through the train several times."
+
+Bob motioned toward his bag beneath the berth, "Now how about my shirt?
+Then some breakfast, and I'll be ready to go along on my assignment."
+
+"You'll do nothing of the kind. You're going to spend the rest of the day
+in bed in my room at the hotel. Tomorrow we'll talk about your going on
+to Atalissa. I'm not sure that I want you to go there alone. It's a tough
+little town. People know too much there, but they won't talk. Either
+scared or in league with some illegal racket."
+
+"And you figure the racket is the jewel smuggling?"
+
+Merritt Hughes nodded gravely.
+
+"This thing is big, Bob," he went on. "As you know from the confidential
+report you got, we feel sure that only a few men are actually involved in
+the ring, but they must be men of great daring and resourcefulness, for
+they have managed to elude some of the best detectives."
+
+"Then it seems kind of foolish for me to tackle it," said Bob, half to
+himself and half to his uncle.
+
+"Not at all. A new, younger man may have some ideas that older men in the
+service would not have. You've had one break in getting Hamsa out of the
+way and we're sure that he was linked with the gang."
+
+"I guess there's no question about that for he stole the confidential
+reports Tully and I had."
+
+"Then what does that mean to you?" asked Bob's uncle.
+
+The younger agent, struggling to button a shirt collar that was too
+tight, stopped and sat down on the edge of the berth.
+
+"In the first place it means that he wanted to find out just what the
+federal people knew about the operations of the gang. Then it appears
+pretty obvious that he didn't want any more federal men nosing around
+Atalissa and Nira."
+
+"Right in both cases," agreed Merritt Hughes. "Now what?"
+
+"Well, it follows that there must be some good reason for this interest
+in federal operations, and all I can figure out is that the gang is
+getting ready to smuggle in a large amount of gems."
+
+"Go to the head of the class; you've had a perfect score. The question
+now follows, what shall we do?"
+
+"Are you going to try to demote me now?" grinned Bob.
+
+"No, I'm just trying to find out how far along the way you'll get by
+sound deduction and logic."
+
+"Then I'd say that we ought to go through with our original plans and
+that Tully and I proceed on to our assignments at once with additional
+agents held ready to back us up if we get in a jam or things break wide
+open and we need help."
+
+"You're not worrying about Hamsa having escaped from the river and
+getting word to the others in the gang?"
+
+"Of course I'm thinking about that angle, but that's a chance we'll have
+to take," replied Bob.
+
+"We'll make the decision tomorrow. There may be some further advices from
+Washington by that time."
+
+Bob finished dressing and his uncle picked up his bag and together they
+walked out into the train shed.
+
+"Breakfast is going to taste good to me," said Bob. "Don't waste any time
+in getting there."
+
+"Then we'll eat at the restaurant in the station," decided his uncle.
+
+Breakfast was served quickly after they placed their orders and Bob ate
+the meal with real relish. Corn cakes with a thick coating of maple syrup
+especially pleased him and he had a second order.
+
+After the meal was finished, they walked through the main waiting room of
+the station and to the taxi stand just beyond where Merritt Hughes
+signalled for a vehicle, and they were soon speeding toward the hotel.
+
+Bob, still stiff and sore from his encounter the night before with Joe
+Hamsa, leaned back against the cushions and enjoyed the trip, for this
+was his first visit to Florida. The streets were broad, the homes
+hospitable and life seemed to move at a more leisurely pace than it did
+in the northern cities with which he was familiar.
+
+The hotel, a modest sized structure, was done in Spanish architecture and
+his uncle had two rooms on the fourth floor looking down on an inner
+court where there was a spacious swimming pool flanked by stubby palm
+trees.
+
+"Now for a shower bath and I'll feel like I really wanted to live again,"
+said Bob.
+
+"I've got several reports to make out and mail to the bureau in
+Washington," said his uncle, "and I'll get them out of the way while
+you're taking your shower."
+
+Bob undressed and adjusted the spray in the shower to his liking. For ten
+minutes he relaxed under the soothing flow of the water and when he
+finally emerged his muscles were not as sore and tight and his head felt
+clearer. As he rubbed his body briskly with a heavy towel, one thought
+troubled him. What had caused the sudden illness which had befallen Tully
+and later had nearly struck him down on the train? While he dressed, Bob
+told his uncle about these incidents.
+
+"You say you felt something like a sharp blow on the face before you
+became ill?" asked the older federal agent.
+
+"That's right."
+
+"Then you were gassed."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XIX
+                              THE WARNING
+                                   *
+
+
+"Gassed!" exclaimed Bob incredulously.
+
+"Certainly. Tully got a full-sized dose and you probably got only half a
+one, which accounts for the varying degrees of your illness and nausea."
+
+"But we couldn't have been gassed," replied Bob.
+
+"Oh yes you could. Modern crooks sometimes turn to science to help them
+and I know as a fact that small amounts of gas, which make the victim
+desperately ill, can be obtained in thin glass capsules. These capsules
+are so small they can be flipped off the end of a finger or thrown in
+some other manner with great accuracy. If they strike near the nose, the
+impact shatters them and the gas is released, causing a violent illness
+which usually makes the victim unconscious."
+
+"That's what happened," cried Bob. "Why your explanation fits perfectly,
+only I didn't get a full dose. Perhaps there was too much fresh air in
+the car I was in."
+
+"The pellet of glass might have struck you a glancing blow," suggested
+his uncle.
+
+"How can you defend yourself against this?" asked Bob.
+
+"The only safe way would be by a gas mask, but now that you know such
+things can happen you can be on the lookout. If you ever feel a similar
+impact that arouses your suspicion, don't breathe, but rush to some other
+spot before you take another gulp of air. That should enable you to
+escape the gas."
+
+"I'm going to remember that," promised Bob.
+
+"Better take a nap now. After you wake up you can type out your detailed
+report for Washington," advised Merritt Hughes.
+
+Bob didn't especially relish the idea of sleeping when he felt he should
+be on his way to Atalissa, but he was thoroughly relaxed and a great
+fatigue had crept over him. So it was with real gratitude that he crept
+in between crisp sheets. He was asleep in less than a minute. Some time
+later his uncle looked in and pulled down the shades at the windows.
+Later he went out for a time, and when he returned Bob was still in a
+deep sleep. It was late afternoon before Bob finally roused from his
+slumber, but he felt much like his former self. Of course there were a
+few bruises and several strained muscles, but he could walk without
+creaking in every joint.
+
+Bob dressed and went into the adjoining room which his uncle occupied.
+The federal agent had gone out several hours before, but his portable
+typewriter was on a low table and Bob sat down and started to work on his
+report which was to be air mailed to Washington.
+
+The report was lengthy for Bob went into great detail and the afternoon
+faded into early night. He snapped on a desk light and continued with his
+work. When he was through he straightened up and stretched his arms for
+he had been hunched over the typewriter for more than an hour and a half.
+
+Bob leaned back in his chair and read the report with care, correcting an
+occasional error which he had made in the manuscript. That done, he
+addressed a large envelope, and went down to the desk in the lobby where
+he secured air mail stamps and learned that by prompt mailing the letter
+would be delivered in Washington the next morning.
+
+Bob was hungry, but he waited for a time for his uncle. Now that he was
+thoroughly rested, he was anxious to make plans for the trip to Atalissa.
+After waiting in the lobby for half an hour, Bob went into the dining
+room which opened to the right, leaving word where he could be found.
+
+A supper with a fresh fish steak as the main course appeased his hunger
+and he ate leisurely. A newsboy, walking through the restaurant,
+attracted his attention and he purchased an evening paper, scanning the
+headlines while he completed his meal with a chocolate sundae.
+
+Bob wondered if the reporters had been tipped off by the trainmen as to
+what had taken place the night before on the Southern Limited. He
+searched every page of the paper, but there was no mention of the
+disappearance of Joe Hamsa.
+
+It was nearly mid-evening by the time Bob was through with his meal and
+he returned to the lobby, inquiring for any possible information about
+his uncle.
+
+"He left about four o'clock," said the clerk on duty. "I happened to see
+him step into the street and he turned to the right. I'm positive he
+hasn't been back since then."
+
+Bob thanked the clerk for the information, meager though it was. It would
+do no harm to go for a stroll and he stepped out into the street. Like
+his uncle had done, he turned right on a street which led down to the
+water front.
+
+He soon found himself in a poorer part of the city. Street lights were
+far apart and their globes dirty. Houses and shops seemed to be hiding
+and the men who went along the street did not look up.
+
+Two policemen strolled by and Bob whistled for he knew what it meant when
+officers made their beat in pairs. He doubted whether his uncle had
+visited this district and he turned and walked back to the hotel.
+
+A clock was striking ten when Bob re-entered the lobby. He was almost at
+the elevators when the clerk called to him.
+
+"Telephone call just coming in for you," he said. "You can answer here if
+you wish."
+
+Bob hastened over to the desk. It must be his uncle, phoning to tell him
+that he had been detained.
+
+Bob picked up the instrument which the clerk handed him and placed the
+receiver to his ear. A gruff voice spoke, "Is this Bob Houston?"
+
+It was a strange voice and Bob tried to catalog its timbre, for it was
+pitched unusually low.
+
+"This is Bob Houston speaking," he replied quietly.
+
+"Then listen to what I've got to say. We've got your uncle and we'll get
+you and any other federal men who attempt to trail us. Get off this case
+and stay off if you ever want to see him alive again and you can tell
+that to Washington."
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter XX
+                              MEAGER HOPES
+                                   *
+
+
+Before Bob could reply he heard the receiver on the other end of the line
+click. He whirled to the hotel clerk.
+
+"Any idea where that call came from?" he asked.
+
+"No."
+
+"Get the chief operator for me at once," said Bob, pulling out his badge
+to speed the clerk's efforts. To the chief operator Bob explained who he
+was and what he wanted.
+
+"Hold the line," said the telephone official.
+
+Bob leaned his elbows hard against the desk. He needed the extra support
+for he had suddenly gone weak all over. There had been grave menace in
+the throaty voice which had come over the wire and he did not doubt the
+truth of the threat.
+
+It was entirely possible that his uncle had been captured by the
+smugglers they were trailing and Bob knew, after his encounter with
+Hamsa, that they were perfectly capable of using the most drastic means
+to put out of the way any obstacle to the success of their plans.
+
+The chief operator spoke again.
+
+"Your call came from a pay station in a drug store near the water front."
+
+Bob obtained the name of the drug store and he whirled away from the desk
+and ran outside to the taxi stand. He jumped into the first cab and gave
+the address of the drug store.
+
+"Step on it driver. I'll clear you with any traffic officer that stops
+us."
+
+"I've heard that story before," grunted the driver as he shifted the
+gears.
+
+"This talks," said Bob, shoving his badge into view of the driver.
+
+"You said it, mister," said the taxi man, and the cab leaped ahead as he
+trod heavily on the accelerator.
+
+The cab wove in and out of a web of traffic, then shot away down a dark
+street, took several corners on two wheels, and after threading through
+several narrower streets, drew up beside a well lighted corner drug
+store.
+
+"Wait here," ordered Bob, jumping from the cab and hurrying into the
+store.
+
+Two clerks were on duty and Bob addressed himself to the older man.
+
+Motioning toward the telephone booth at the rear of the store, he fired
+his first question.
+
+"Give me a description of the man who put in a call from here not more
+than fifteen minutes ago."
+
+The man to whom Bob addressed the question appeared to resent his
+intrusion, and his reply was far from courteous.
+
+"You've got the wrong place and besides I don't like you."
+
+That touched off Bob's temper and his anger blazed.
+
+"Give me the information I want and give it to me at once or you're going
+on a quick ride to jail. Who phoned from that booth?"
+
+At the same time Bob revealed the metal shield in his hand which
+identified him, and the entire attitude of the clerk changed.
+
+"Why didn't you tell me you were a federal man in the first place?" he
+grumbled.
+
+"I want to know who made that call," insisted Bob.
+
+"Well, I didn't pay a whole lot of attention. There were a couple of
+other customers in the store. He was kind of tall, and about thirty-five
+I'd say."
+
+"What kind of clothes was he wearing?"
+
+"He had on a coverall suit and a dark hat."
+
+"How about his hair and eyes. Was there anything on his face that would
+make it easy to identify him?"
+
+The younger clerk spoke up.
+
+"I noticed his low, deep voice," he said, "and there was a little scar
+just in front of one ear."
+
+"Which one?"
+
+The clerk turned half away from Bob as though assuming the position in
+which the stranger had appeared to him.
+
+"It was the left ear," he replied. "I'm sure about that now."
+
+"Notice anything else about him? Did he appear nervous or in a hurry to
+get away?"
+
+"He wasn't exactly nervous, but after he came out of the booth he didn't
+linger around."
+
+"Did he have a car?"
+
+"No, he walked in here, but just after he left I heard a motorboat
+getting under way. You know it's less than a block to the water front."
+
+There was no more information to be gained from the clerks in the store
+and Bob returned to the street where the cab was waiting.
+
+"Roll on down to the water front," he told the driver.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXI
+                           SPECIAL AGENT NINE
+                                   *
+
+
+Along the river the docks appeared deserted and there was not even a
+watchman in sight. Bob returned to the cab.
+
+"Wheel for the central police station and don't lose any time," he
+commanded.
+
+The cab shot away and Bob sank back into the seat, his head in a whirl.
+Somehow, he felt sure, the tangled threads would weave into a pattern
+that he could solve, but he had to admit that right now he was up against
+a seeming impasse.
+
+The cab driver broke almost every speed record in Jacksonville that night
+and more than once they averted smashed fenders by the narrowest of
+margins.
+
+A police siren shrilled behind them and the driver looked over his
+shoulder.
+
+"Motorcycle cop coming," he cried.
+
+"How far is it to the station?" asked Bob.
+
+"Two blocks."
+
+"Then keep on going."
+
+The driver pressed the accelerator to the floor boards and the cab leaped
+ahead, ran through a red light in spite of the waving arms of another
+traffic officer, and then shrieked to a stop before the central police
+station.
+
+Behind them the siren rose and then fell as the motorcycle officer
+wheeled to the curb.
+
+"Smart guys, smart guys," he yelled. "Look where you stopped?"
+
+Grinning, he pointed to the sign which designated the building as the
+police station.
+
+"Just go right on in and make yourselves at home. You'll be there long
+enough. I'm going to slap half a dozen traffic charges against you."
+
+Bob had no time to waste words with a traffic officer.
+
+"Come on in and place all of the charges you want to," he snapped,
+motioning to the taxi driver to accompany him.
+
+Once inside the station, Bob hastened to the main desk where a night
+captain was on duty.
+
+"I'm Bob Houston, special agent nine of the Department of Justice," he
+explained, displaying the badge which he held in his hand. "It was
+necessary for me to reach here without loss of time and the driver of my
+cab ran through some red lights. Please see that any charges against him
+are dismissed."
+
+The night captain nodded and waved the motorcycle officer aside.
+
+"Why all the hurry?" he asked.
+
+"My uncle, a federal agent, walked out of the hotel this afternoon and
+failed to return. A few minutes ago I was warned that unless the federal
+men were taken off a certain case, he would never be seen alive again."
+
+"Think it was a fake threat?"
+
+"No. It was serious enough. I traced the call to a public booth in a drug
+store down near the water front. The clerks were able to give me only a
+fair description of the man who made the call, but one of them told me a
+motorboat had started down river shortly after the man left."
+
+"Any description of the boat?" pressed the night captain.
+
+"There was no one along the water front."
+
+"Then I'm afraid it's going to be tough to pick up that boat. It's as
+black as pitch tonight, but we'll see what we can do."
+
+"I'd like to use a private room where I can phone Washington," said Bob
+and the officer pointed to a doorway to the left and rear of his own
+desk. Before he entered, Bob paid his taxi bill and handed the driver a
+generous tip.
+
+Once in the private room, Bob dropped into a leather upholstered chair.
+Calling long distance, he asked for a certain number in Washington that
+was called only when something of the utmost importance happened.
+
+"Lines north are busy at present," said the operator.
+
+But the information Bob had could not wait and he asked for the chief
+operator. In quick, terse sentences he explained who he was and the
+importance of his message.
+
+Faint clicking sounds could be heard in the receiver, then Washington
+answered and Bob knew that his call was being given the right-of-way over
+everything else.
+
+A quiet voice asked, "Who's speaking?" and Bob knew that he was in
+contact with Waldo Edgar, the grim, efficient head of the government's
+greatest man-hunting division.
+
+"This is Bob Houston. I'm at the central police station at Jacksonville.
+Merritt Hughes, my uncle, has been kidnaped within the last few hours."
+
+"What's that?" There was explosive energy in the question which was
+hurled back over the wires.
+
+Bob repeated his message, elaborating a little this time.
+
+"But Bob, that's impossible."
+
+"I thought so too, at first," confessed Bob, "but after that warning
+phone call I changed my mind."
+
+"Call your hotel again. I'll hold the line."
+
+Bob stepped outside and from another phone got in touch with his hotel.
+There had been no word about his uncle, the clerk assured him, and Bob
+returned to the private room, where he relayed the news northward.
+
+He heard Waldo Edgar's breath suck in.
+
+"What have you done?" came the question, and Bob was ready.
+
+He told of his own attempt and added that he had enlisted the aid of the
+Jacksonville police.
+
+"That's right as far as you've gone," said his chief. "Unfortunately a
+big kidnaping has broken in the midwest and all of the extra men are
+concentrated there. Condon Adams will be back in Jacksonville shortly
+after midnight and you must get in touch with him."
+
+There was a brief pause while the federal chief mulled over plans for his
+next strategy.
+
+"This isn't going to be easy to do, Bob," he said, "but I'm counting on
+you going to your assignment at Atalissa at once. This gang must be about
+to pull off a really big job and I have a feeling the disappearance of
+your uncle is a step to keep federal men from concentrating further south
+along the coast. Get all of the information you can and turn it over to
+Condon Adams when he arrives. Then you continue south and Adams will take
+up the search for your uncle. As soon as additional men can be spared,
+they will be sent to aid you."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXII
+                           A HARD ASSIGNMENT
+                                   *
+
+
+It was a hard assignment to take, but Bob acquiesced. He would have
+preferred to remain in Jacksonville and search for his uncle, but he
+realized the logic in Waldo Edgar's deductions.
+
+"Keep in close touch with me, Bob, and if it looks like things are going
+to break down the coast, we'll get help to you. Keep your chin up now,
+and give them all you've got."
+
+The receiver on the far end of the line clicked and Bob hung up the
+instrument he had used. The night captain stuck his head in the door.
+
+"I've sent word to the coast guard to keep a close watch for any unusual
+boat. Maybe they'll be able to turn up something."
+
+"But we don't know it was an unusual boat," protested Bob.
+
+"Well, we didn't have any description and I had to tell them something,"
+said the policeman.
+
+They returned to the main desk. The night captain was curious.
+
+"Lot of federal men coming in?" he asked.
+
+But Bob was noncommittal. He would be going further south in a few hours
+and the search for clues here would be turned over to Condon Adams. One
+thing he did need, was a good revolver and ammunition for the rifle.
+
+He made known his wants to the night captain.
+
+"It isn't the usual thing, but I guess we can fix you up," said the
+policeman.
+
+He called another officer to take charge of the desk and led the way into
+a rear room where there was a whole rack of guns.
+
+"Look these over and take your choice."
+
+The night captain opened the case and Bob tried half a dozen revolvers in
+his hand until he found one that was balanced to suit him.
+
+"This feels like a good gun," he said. "I'll take it."
+
+From another case the captain produced a generous supply of ammunition.
+
+"There's a range downstairs if you'd like to try your marksmanship," he
+volunteered.
+
+Bob knew that in the coming hours he might find himself in a position
+where a trusty gun would be a life saver and he accepted the captain's
+invitation.
+
+His finger was steady and the pressure on the trigger smooth. As a result
+he turned in a surprisingly good score and the policeman whistled when he
+saw the card Bob shot out.
+
+"Good work, boy. Anytime you get tired of this federal manhunting just
+let me know and I'll see that you have a job here."
+
+"Thanks a lot," replied Bob. "I may have to call on you if this case
+isn't solved successfully."
+
+When they returned upstairs the captain rummaged through the ammunition
+chest and finally found some cartridges which would fit Bob's rifle. A
+shoulder holster was also borrowed and Bob adjusted the straps so that it
+fitted neatly under his coat.
+
+After thanking the night captain for his assistance, Bob returned to the
+hotel. Another inquiry at the desk revealed that there had been no word
+from his uncle and Bob went upstairs.
+
+His body was tired from the strain of the last few hours and he took a
+warm shower, topping it off with a cold spray that sent the blood
+tingling through his body. Then he dressed in fresh clothes and stretched
+out on the bed for a little relaxation before going to the train to meet
+Condon Adams.
+
+Bob would have preferred to remain in Jacksonville to lead the hunt for
+his uncle, but he knew that Adams was both capable and ruthless and when
+a federal agent was kidnaped, personal feelings which Adams might have
+toward his uncle would vanish.
+
+Bob mulled over the preceding events and the disappearance of his uncle
+strengthened his belief that Hamsa had survived his fall off the trestle
+and into the flood waters the night before. If Hamsa had not survived,
+Bob doubted if his uncle would have been abducted for he knew that Hamsa
+would be afraid of the results when his uncle and he got to comparing
+notes.
+
+The feeling that some momentous activity by the smugglers was under way
+grew as Bob lay there on the bed. The leaders were desperate and yet
+courageous enough to attempt to do away with two federal agents and
+having failed to do that had kidnaped a third.
+
+Bob got up and scanned a map of Florida which he had obtained. His finger
+ran along the coastline until he came to Atalissa. Then he traced on down
+to Nira where Tully had been assigned. It was a desolate, sparsely
+inhabited section of the coast--an area which in centuries before had
+probably been a favorite hiding place for bands of pirates who had roved
+the Spanish main. Numerous indentations dotted the coast, offering ample
+shelter to men who were afraid of the law.
+
+With a start Bob noticed the time. It was after eleven o'clock. He was
+taking no chances and he adjusted the shoulder holster, filled the
+chambers of the revolver with shells, and slipped on his coat.
+
+At the desk downstairs he left word for the clerk to take any message
+which might come for him. Then he sped toward the station in a taxi. When
+he arrived at the terminal he found that the train Condon Adams was
+coming on was half an hour late, for the tracks north were still soft
+from the heavy rain of the preceding night.
+
+Bob sat down to wait for the arrival of the train and as the minutes
+slipped away he had the feeling that he was under observation. The hair
+along the back of his neck tingled and he wanted to turn around and stare
+at those back of him. Instead, he moved once or twice as though restless
+and finally stood up, stretched, and strolled over to the magazine stand,
+where he could turn around and see the entire concourse.
+
+Bob picked up a magazine and skimmed through the pages with fingers that
+turned the sheets mechanically while his keen eyes roved over the room.
+Finally he came back to a lightly built man who had been leaning against
+a radiator somewhat to the right and back of the bench on which he had
+been seated.
+
+The man was dressed in a poorly fitted dark suit, wore a cap, and moved
+restlessly. He was the only one in the scattered gathering of people in
+the station whom Bob would suspect of being there to watch him.
+
+Just then the lights flashed over an incoming train board and Bob turned
+and walked toward the train gates. Passengers started coming through the
+gate and among the first was the bulky form of Condon Adams. Bob called
+to him and Adams turned aside.
+
+"How's Tully?" asked Bob, who was really concerned over the condition of
+the young federal agent.
+
+Condon Adams' face lighted up, for he was genuinely fond of his nephew
+and Bob's inquiry touched a soft spot.
+
+"Getting along fine," he said. "Oh, he's pretty sore and all that, but
+he'll be able to continue on his assignment in two or three more days."
+
+"It was a tough break," said Bob and Adams nodded.
+
+"What's been going on?" he asked.
+
+"Plenty," replied Bob. "My uncle was kidnaped earlier this evening."
+
+Adams dropped his bag and whirled to Bob.
+
+"What's that?" he demanded, as though unable to believe the words.
+
+"My uncle disappeared this evening and everything points to a kidnaping
+by this gang of smugglers we're after," explained Bob.
+
+Condon Adams threw back his head and laughed, but it was a grim sort of
+laugh that sent chills down Bob's neck.
+
+"Well that's good," snorted Adams. "Merritt Hughes, ace federal
+manhunter, kidnaped. I suppose I'll have to hunt for him now instead of
+the kidnapers."
+
+"I guess that's about the size of things," replied Bob slowly. "I've been
+in touch with Washington. I'm to go on south to Atalissa on my original
+assignment and you are to take up the hunt here for him. I've already got
+the Jacksonville police on the case. When Tully comes out of the
+hospital, he is to continue to Nira as first ordered."
+
+"Let's get some coffee," said Condon Adams as they walked past the
+entrance of the station restaurant.
+
+The older federal agent slid his traveling bag into a corner and dropped
+down into a chair.
+
+"What a mess to get into," he said, half to himself and half to Bob. Then
+he looked up.
+
+"Your uncle means quite a lot to you?"
+
+Bob nodded. "You know he does. He got me into the service and he's pretty
+much of an older brother to me."
+
+A waitress took their orders before Adams spoke again.
+
+"Then you know how I feel about Tully; he's kind of a kid brother to me.
+But that's getting away from what I started to say. Your uncle and I have
+always been rivals in the service. One of us would solve a good case and
+then the other would win on the next one. He's never liked the way I got
+in through a little political help, but on the whole I've done a pretty
+good job. Gosh, I wouldn't know what to do if anything happened to him to
+take him out of the service."
+
+"He may be out for good now unless we can find him," said Bob bitterly.
+
+"That's just it, and Bob, differences are going to be forgotten for the
+time. Why I wouldn't be happy if your uncle and I weren't in some kind of
+a scrap to see who could solve a new case. We'll find him and we'll find
+him soon."
+
+"Then you'll work a hundred per cent on the case?" asked Bob.
+
+"Day and night," promised Condon Adams, reaching across the table to
+clasp Bob's hand firmly in his own and Bob knew that the older agent was
+a man of his word and highly competent in his own peculiar way.
+
+Cups of steaming coffee were set before them as well as the plate of
+doughnuts which Adams had ordered. They attacked the lunch with a will
+and Bob, draining his cup of coffee a few minutes later, caught another
+glimpse of the slender, slouching figure he had seen in the main waiting
+room.
+
+"Don't turn around," he said to Adams, "but when we get up, look at the
+little fellow in the dark cap and suit. He's outside looking in the
+window. I had a feeling in the station he was watching me."
+
+Condon Adams reached for the checks and stood up. In reaching for his
+traveling bag he was able to turn toward the broad glass window and get a
+good view of the man Bob had described.
+
+"I've never seen him before," said Adams, "but he doesn't look like a
+very savory character."
+
+He paid the bill for their lunch and as they stepped out of the
+restaurant and looked for a cab, the man in the dark suit sidled up to
+them.
+
+"You guys federal men?" he asked.
+
+Bob and Condon Adams whirled toward him.
+
+"What of it?" barked Adams.
+
+"I was just askin'. If you are, I've got a message for you."
+
+"Who from?" it was Bob now.
+
+The little man shook his head.
+
+"I don't know," he mumbled. "Fellow down on the water front gave me a
+note to give to the federals. Said one of them was at a hotel. When I
+inquired there I learned he'd gone to the station so I came along and
+thought I'd try you."
+
+He reached for an inner pocket and too late Bob divined what was
+happening. The street they were in was quiet now and suddenly there was
+danger in the air.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXIII
+                            SNAP AIM SCORES
+                                   *
+
+
+Before Bob could reach for his own gun, the little man had whipped a
+snub-nosed automatic from a shoulder holster under his left shoulder and
+his eyes gleamed in the dim street light.
+
+"How nice of you to tell me you were federals; saved me a lot of trouble.
+Smart guys, aren't you? Well, get going toward that car on the other side
+and don't make any bad steps."
+
+A cold rage gripped Bob. They had fallen into a neat trap and probably
+would soon be as helpless as his uncle, who had been kidnaped earlier in
+the evening. In the meantime, the smugglers would have ample time to run
+in a large sum of gems. Since they were willing to take the desperate
+chance of abducting three federal men, the amount must be tremendous.
+
+Condon Adams started to set down his traveling bag, but a sharp command
+from the little man stopped him.
+
+"Carry that bag and carry it carefully," he snapped. "You guys are going
+for a long boat ride."
+
+They walked rapidly across the street. In fact, Bob was in a hurry to
+reach the car. For some reason they had not been searched and if he could
+get inside the sedan he might be able to slip the revolver out of his
+shoulder holster. Condon Adams lagged a little; perhaps suspecting what
+was in Bob's mind.
+
+The door of the sedan opened as they neared and Bob saw a man slouched at
+the wheel. There was no one else in the car and Bob stepped into the
+sedan, his muscles tense and his nerves cold.
+
+"Stop!" the command was quiet but deadly and Bob halted halfway to the
+seat.
+
+"Back up and back up slow; I'm taking no chances on gunplay."
+
+The driver of the car sat up quickly.
+
+"Ain't you searched them, Benny?" he asked.
+
+"Shut up," snapped the man on the pavement and Bob, stepping back
+gingerly now, caught a glimpse of the man with the gun. There was just a
+chance of success for a desperate play and he took the chance.
+
+The gun in the shoulder holster was unfamiliar as was the holster, but
+Bob was half hidden by the darkness of the interior of the sedan. His
+right hand, moving like a flash, grasped the butt of the gun. Without
+attempting to pull it from the holster, Bob simply elevated the muzzle
+and pulled the trigger.
+
+He fired by instinct as much as anything and a flash of flame stabbed the
+night. On the echo of the shot came a sharp cry and the man on the
+pavement leaped backward, his own gun replying.
+
+Bob fired again and through the haze of smoke and the acrid smell of
+burning cloth saw the little man tumbling. The driver of the car swung
+toward Bob, but before he could get into the scrap, Bob jerked the gun
+from its holster and clubbed him over the head with the barrel. It was a
+savage blow, but he was dealing with men who knew no mercy themselves.
+The driver slumped forward in his seat and Bob, gun in hand, leaped from
+the car.
+
+Condon Adams, who had been able to draw his own weapon, was leaning over
+the man on the street.
+
+"Great work, Bob. I thought they were going to get away with this for a
+while."
+
+"Is he hurt badly?" asked Bob.
+
+"Well, I don't think he's going to be doing any more mischief for a good
+long time. Your first one caught his right shoulder and the second one
+took his left leg--that's what I'd call disabling a gangster."
+
+"It was spot shooting. I didn't have time to aim," explained Bob.
+
+"Then I hope I'm not the target when you really aim," said the older
+federal agent.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXIV
+                            AT THE HOSPITAL
+                                   *
+
+
+A policeman on duty at the station, attracted by the shooting, came on
+the run and Condon Adams flashed his federal badge.
+
+"Get an ambulance and get this man to a hospital. See that a heavy guard
+is placed at his bed. We'll take the fellow in the car down to the
+central station with us and make a personal report."
+
+The federal men remained on the scene until an ambulance arrived. In the
+meantime Condon Adams had handcuffed the driver of the car, who was now
+regaining consciousness. He pushed him into the back seat, tossed in his
+own traveling bag, and with Bob driving the car, they started for the
+police station.
+
+The trip was uneventful and they parked the car in front of the station
+where a few hours before Bob had telephoned the news of his uncle's
+abduction to Washington. The same night captain was on duty and his eyes
+widened when he saw Bob and Condon Adams with their handcuffed prisoner.
+
+Before the policeman could ply them with questions Condon Adams explained
+what had happened.
+
+"Throw this fellow into a solitary cell; I'll question him after I get
+back from the hospital," he said.
+
+"What charge shall I book him on?" asked the policeman.
+
+"Attempted abduction of a federal officer," snapped Adams, who then
+turned toward Bob.
+
+"We'll get over to the hospital now and see if the fellow you clipped
+with a couple of bullets is ready to talk."
+
+They hurried outside the station, but Adams stopped short when he saw the
+sedan at the curb.
+
+"I forgot all about the car," he said. "It's probably stolen. I'll report
+it to the captain."
+
+By the time the older federal agent was back Bob had a cab waiting at the
+curb and they told the driver to speed them to the hospital.
+
+"If we can get either one of these fellows to talk, it may be the break
+that will open up this case," mused Adams as the cab roared along the now
+almost deserted streets.
+
+They pulled up at the hospital where a dim light glowed over the
+entrance. There was no general admittance at that hour of the night, but
+continued ringing of the bell brought an orderly and they gained
+admission.
+
+Condon Adams revealed their identity to the night supervisor and asked
+the condition of the man who had been brought in.
+
+"He's resting fairly comfortably," said the nurse. "The bullet in his
+shoulder has been removed and the one in his leg will be taken out in the
+morning."
+
+"Case serious?" pressed Adams.
+
+"I wouldn't say so," replied the nurse cautiously, leading the way down
+the darkened corridor to a room where the lights were aglow. She opened
+the door and they stepped in, a nurse who had been near the bed rising as
+they entered. A policeman on the other side of the bed did likewise.
+
+"Don't make him talk too much," cautioned the night supervisor.
+
+Bob looked at the man who had attempted to kidnap them. His face was thin
+and marred with a sneer.
+
+"You fellows can save your breath. I won't talk," he said, an unpleasant
+whine in his voice, and Bob catalogued him as a dangerous man when armed,
+but one who was weak physically.
+
+"We'll see about that," said Adams confidently. "The boys down at the
+station are working over the fellow who was driving for you. If you don't
+talk here, we'll work you over when you get out."
+
+Bob knew that was only a threat, but he was interested in the reaction in
+the face of the man on the bed and he saw a weakening of the lines around
+the mouth as though the thought of physical punishment was unnerving.
+
+Condon Adams must have sensed the same thing for he advanced with a
+threatening gesture of his fists and the man on the bed cringed away from
+him.
+
+"You can't hit me," he cried.
+
+"Maybe not, but I'd like to," scowled Adams, and Bob knew that the older
+federal agent was sincere in that.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXV
+                             BOB GETS READY
+                                   *
+
+
+Adams plied the wounded man with questions, but all of the answers were
+evasive and he finally turned to Bob.
+
+"We'll let him go for tonight. I'll come back and see him tomorrow and
+I'll see him alone. I can make him talk."
+
+They left the room after admonishing the policeman on guard to remain on
+the alert for any attempt to free the wounded man.
+
+Out in the hallway Condon Adams confessed to his disappointment.
+
+"I thought maybe he'd break and talk. He's a weakling. I'll get it out of
+him later."
+
+"How much later?" asked Bob.
+
+"That's just it. I don't know. It may be too late to help in the hunt for
+your uncle."
+
+Down on the main floor of the hospital once more they telephoned for a
+taxicab and when it appeared, gave the driver orders to go to Bob's
+hotel. They were silent on the trip back into the heart of the city and
+when they reached the hotel Condon Adams registered for a room on the
+same floor as those of Bob and his uncle.
+
+Bob went directly to his own room and made a final inspection of the
+articles in his Gladstone bag. The rifle and ammunition appeared intact
+and he removed the revolver from the shoulder holster, cleaned it
+carefully and refilled the chambers.
+
+After that was done he inspected his coat. It appeared ruined beyond
+repair for the revolver bullets had torn through the cloth and sparks
+from the burning powder had extended the area of the damage.
+
+Bob removed the suit he had been wearing and got into the comfortable and
+rough and ready corduroys which he had brought with him. He laced up his
+boots and then adjusted the shoulder holster, making sure that it would
+swing free in case he faced any other emergencies similar to the one
+which had confronted them a little more than an hour before.
+
+Condon Adams tapped on the door and then came in.
+
+"About ready to start for Atalissa?" he asked.
+
+Bob nodded.
+
+"I can get a southbound local at 3 a. m. After about three hours I change
+to an accommodation train that finally winds up at Atalissa somewhere
+around noon. Not a very pleasant ride, but I don't want to attract
+attention either by breezing in there in a car or a boat and as the roads
+are none too good, I think the train is the best bet."
+
+"How about communications out of the village? You may need help in a
+hurry?"
+
+"I haven't checked up on them," confessed Bob.
+
+The older federal agent went to the telephone and after a lengthy
+conversation with the hotel clerk, secured the desired information.
+
+"The telegraph office at the railroad station is open from eight o'clock
+in the morning to five o'clock in the evening. The phone exchange, which
+seems to be pretty much of a one horse affair, closes at nine o'clock in
+the evening. If anything happens after that you'll have to get the
+operator out of bed in order to get a call through. I'm making my
+headquarters here. Let me know the minute anything turns up."
+
+"I'll do that," promised Bob, who, while he could not exactly warm up to
+Condon Adams, felt sure that the older man would bend every effort toward
+the recovery of his uncle. "I'll let you know where I can be reached in
+Atalissa so you can get news to me the minute Uncle Merritt is found."
+
+Condon Adams glanced at his wrist watch.
+
+"You haven't much time to lose if you're going to make that southbound
+local."
+
+Bob looked at his own watch. It was 2:45 o'clock. He closed his Gladstone
+bag and tightened the straps. Condon Adams walked ahead of him into the
+hall and then as far as the elevator.
+
+"Don't take too many chances, Bob, and keep your chin up. This thing is
+going to come out all right."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXVI
+                             "DON'T MOVE!"
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob wished that he could feel the confidence of Condon Adams' words as he
+stepped into the elevator and dropped toward the main floor. At the desk
+he turned in his room key and then took a taxi to the same station where
+earlier in the night, in company with Condon Adams, he had captured two
+of the suspected gem smugglers.
+
+The young federal agent purchased his ticket for Atalissa and the agent
+cautioned him about the change at the junction. Then Bob picked up his
+bag and walked through the now practically deserted waiting room and out
+into the train shed where a stubby, three car train was waiting for the
+final call of "booo-ard" to start its jerking journey southward. An
+express car and a combination baggage and mail car were behind the engine
+while the rear car was a dimly lighted coach.
+
+Bob climbed up the steps. The seats were of green plush, and halfway up
+the interior of the car was a wooden partition which marked the forward
+end of the coach as the smoking compartment. There were only two people
+in the rear half and Bob turned one seat over so a double seat would be
+available. Then he stuck his ticket in his hat band, folded up his
+corduroy coat for a pillow, and curled up to make the best of the lonely
+trip to Atalissa.
+
+The federal agent had dropped into a light sleep when the train started.
+He roused up long enough to hear it roll over a bridge and then he went
+back to sleep, failing to hear the conductor when he removed the ticket
+from the band of his hat.
+
+The local jerked and stopped and then jerked into motion again. This
+operation was repeated a number of times, but Bob slept heavily through
+it all, for his body was near exhaustion. It was well after dawn when he
+finally moved and he groaned softly as the blood started flowing once
+more through his cramped legs.
+
+Bob sat up and massaged his legs and arms. It was quite clear out now and
+the local was rocking along a desolate stretch of Florida east coast.
+Somewhere along the line the other passengers had left the train and Bob
+was now the only occupant of the coach.
+
+He got up and walked to the water cooler. Fortunately there was an ample
+supply of water and after bathing his face and hands with the cool
+liquid, he felt much refreshed though ravenously hungry.
+
+Up ahead the engineer blasted his whistle for a highway crossing and Bob
+felt the air brakes go on, the old wooden coach jumping around in protest
+as the speed dropped sharply. They clacked over switches and Bob, looking
+ahead, could see a weather beaten station, on the other side of which
+another train was standing. This, he concluded, must be the junction.
+
+The conductor, coming back from the baggage car, gave Bob his train
+check.
+
+"Don't have many passengers going to Atalissa," he said. "Them that wants
+to get there usually go by car or boat."
+
+The local rocked to a creaking halt and Bob, his Gladstone in hand,
+stepped down on the cinder platform.
+
+The accommodation which was to take him the rest of the way to Atalissa
+was on the other side of the station. The engine, an antiquated little
+affair, looked about like a teakettle, but the two freight cars and the
+passenger car on the back end were standard size equipment.
+
+The conductor, in faded blue overalls, looked at Bob's ticket.
+
+"Guess you're the only passenger," he said. "Well, we might as well be
+going."
+
+"How about breakfast?" asked Bob.
+
+"Hungry?" asked the conductor.
+
+"Just about starved," confessed Bob.
+
+"Well, we stop at Ainsworth about ten miles down the line. There's a
+little place there where you can get a bite to eat."
+
+There appeared to be nothing else to do so Bob climbed up the steps of
+the old wooden coach and put his Gladstone in the first seat at the rear.
+The engineer whistled a wheezy "high ball" and the conductor swung up on
+the back end as the accommodation started its daily run for the seacoast.
+
+The air in the coach was stuffy and Bob found it pleasanter on the rear
+platform, watching the track wind away in the distance and they swung
+around curves and chugged their way up steep grades. It seemed incredible
+that in such a peaceful appearing country there must be located the
+headquarters for a relentless band of smugglers.
+
+The second stop of the accommodation that morning was at Ainsworth and as
+the train slowed down for the station, the conductor came back and spoke
+to Bob.
+
+"We'll be here about fifteen minutes. That ought to give you time enough
+to get something to eat. Restaurant's right back of the station."
+
+Bob estimated that Ainsworth must be a village of some two hundred souls
+and he was dubious about the quality of the food which he would obtain,
+but when he stepped inside the eating house he was agreeably surprised by
+the cleanliness and an elderly woman took his order with pleasing
+promptness.
+
+Bob took a cold cereal, and ate it with relish while eggs and bacon
+sputtered on a stove in the kitchen. When they were ready he ordered
+coffee and several doughnuts.
+
+"Don't need to hurry too much, they won't go away without you," reassured
+the woman who waited on him.
+
+But Bob finished in ample time to enjoy a leisurely walk back to the
+train. When he reentered the day coach he was surprised to find another
+occupant, a large, heavy-boned man with a faded mustache and thinning
+hair. What surprised Bob even more was to see a badge on the other's vest
+and he strolled forward through the car. His eyes opened a little wider
+when he saw that the badge worn by the other said, "Sheriff."
+
+The water cooler was a convenient place to stop and Bob, studying the
+other man in leisure, drank two cups of water.
+
+Suddenly the sheriff spoke.
+
+"Now that you've about sized me up, what's on your mind, Bud?"
+
+Bob almost fell over backwards for he had tried to make his observation
+of the other man altogether casual.
+
+"Nothing," he managed to reply, but the word failed to carry conviction.
+
+"Not trying to dodge the law, are you?" asked the sheriff, and Bob
+noticed that a perfectly capable looking gun was holstered under the
+other's right shoulder.
+
+"No," said Bob.
+
+"Then why are you carrying a gun?"
+
+Bob started, almost guiltily, and his face flushed.
+
+"That," he retorted, "is none of your business."
+
+After the words were out he could almost have bitten his tongue in two
+for if the sheriff pressed him for an answer, he would be forced to
+reveal his identity and such things as local sheriffs being involved in
+crime was not altogether unknown.
+
+"I'm making it my business right now," snapped the older man and before
+Bob could move, a gun appeared in the other's hands.
+
+"Put up your hands and turn around. Do it slowly and you won't be hurt,
+but if you make one false move, I'll let you have it."
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXVII
+                         SHERIFF McCURDY TALKS
+                                   *
+
+
+There was nothing else for Bob to do and with his hands raised high above
+his head, he turned slowly and faced the water cooler. He could imagine
+how Tully Ross would have chuckled if he could have seen his predicament
+now.
+
+Firm hands whisked the gun out of the shoulder holster and Bob heard the
+sheriff step back.
+
+"Turn around slowly now, but keep your hands up."
+
+Bob obeyed the command and the sheriff waved him toward a seat on the
+opposite side of the car.
+
+"Now that you've got my gun, you'd better let me explain," said Bob.
+
+"You can do your explaining in jail," retorted the sheriff. "No big-town
+gunman is going to run another trick on me."
+
+The last words were said with grim determination and Bob saw the
+sheriff's jaw muscles tighten.
+
+"Turn up the lapel of my coat and you'll find that you're making a
+mistake," pressed Bob. "I'm an agent of the bureau of investigation of
+the United States Department of Justice."
+
+"You're just a kid," scoffed the older officer.
+
+"Turn up the lapel of my coat and see what's there. This thing has gone
+far enough," insisted Bob.
+
+There was something in Bob's voice which forced the sheriff to act and he
+reached over cautiously and turned up the lapel of Bob's coat. The small
+badge which was revealed there brought an instant change in his attitude
+and he lowered the gun which he held in his hands.
+
+"Looks like I've made a bad mistake," he said. "I'm sorry, but after what
+I've been through you can't blame me."
+
+The sheriff, who introduced himself as Abel McCurdy, handed the gun back
+to Bob and the federal agent, after breaking open the gun and looking at
+the chambers, returned it to his shoulder holster.
+
+"What's happened?" asked Bob, for he recalled that only a minute earlier
+the sheriff hinted at some trick of which he had been the victim.
+
+"Oh, it's kind of a crazy story and I don't suppose it would interest a
+federal man," replied the older officer.
+
+"I'm interested in anything that's going on around here," said Bob.
+
+"Then you may run right smack into trouble," cautioned the other, and he
+shook his head a little sadly. "That's what was the matter with me--too
+interested in other people's business."
+
+"Tell me what happened," pressed Bob, for he had a feeling that in some
+way or another the sheriff might be connected with the smugglers who were
+known to be operating around Atalissa.
+
+"There's been some strange things going on along the coast," began the
+sheriff, "and I've been trying to figure them out, but I didn't have much
+luck until last night when I was south of Atalissa. A big touring car
+came roaring along the road and I stopped it. Car was going too fast."
+
+"What happened?" asked Bob.
+
+"Too much," admitted the sheriff. "Fellow driving got out, but when he
+did he had a machine gun in his hands and I wasn't any match for that
+even though I'm a pretty good shot with a revolver. He handcuffed me with
+my own handcuffs and made me get into the back seat and then drove off
+like mad. After a while he stopped and blindfolded me, and then went on
+for a time."
+
+"What did he look like?" asked Bob.
+
+"Well, he was kind of short and heavy, I'd say." The sheriff went on with
+his description of the man who had kidnaped him and before he was through
+Bob was convinced that the other was Joe Hamsa.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXVIII
+                                THEORIES
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob felt it was time to reveal his real mission to the seacoast and in
+clear, brief words he told the sheriff why he had come down from
+Washington and what had gone on since he had started south.
+
+"You mean to say they had the nerve to kidnap your uncle, a federal
+agent?" asked the sheriff.
+
+"I'm sure they have him and the only thing we know is that the start away
+from Jacksonville was made by boat."
+
+The sheriff nodded.
+
+"That would be a good way. Why, I can think of half a hundred good places
+to hide a man along this section of the coast." Then the sheriff went on
+to explain that shortly before dawn he had been dumped unceremoniously
+out of the sedan after being released from the handcuffs.
+
+"Can you remember any stops?" asked Bob.
+
+"Only one. We must have been very close to the ocean, for I was sure I
+could hear the sound of the surf."
+
+"Any idea in what direction you traveled?"
+
+"Nothing that would help much. I was about two miles from Ainsworth when
+I was dumped out, and I went in there and got another gun and then
+decided to take the train to Atalissa for I was only about a mile from
+there when I was kidnaped last night."
+
+"Did you hear anything unusual when you stopped where you thought you
+could hear the surf?" pressed on Bob.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy was silent for a time.
+
+"Yes, there was one thing--a humming that was faint and then increased in
+strength and finally died away."
+
+"It might have been a 'plane," suggested Bob.
+
+"Why, I hadn't thought of that. Sure, that's just what it sounded like."
+
+"The driver of the car got out and came back a little after."
+
+"After the humming had died away?"
+
+"That's right," agreed the sheriff.
+
+Bob was elated at this news. He felt that even before his arrival at
+Atalissa he had stumbled upon a real clue and he hoped upon a worthy aid
+in the doughty southern sheriff.
+
+"Then he went on, later dumping you out of the car?" pressed Bob.
+
+The sheriff agreed.
+
+"He was none too gentle in dumping me out," complained the sheriff. "I'd
+just like to get my hands on him for a few minutes. Believe me, I'd make
+his bones ache."
+
+There was no question about the irritation or the sincerity of the
+officer and Bob couldn't help but suppress a chuckle, for he believed the
+sheriff perfectly capable of manhandling Joe Hamsa.
+
+Bob felt that the time had come to be perfectly frank with the sheriff.
+
+"I'm down here on a smuggling case," he explained. "I'm going to need
+your help and I may need it badly."
+
+Then he went on to relate in detail everything that had taken place since
+he had left Washington, revealing even the kidnaping of his uncle. When
+he was through the sheriff whistled through his whiskers.
+
+"I've kind of suspected that something queer was going on south of
+Atalissa, but there were no complaints and I never was able to pick up
+anything. You think the fellow who kidnaped me was the man on the train
+with you when you came south?"
+
+"From your description, I'm positive it was Hamsa," replied Bob.
+
+"Then he's a tough customer if he escaped from that river and got down
+here so rapidly."
+
+"One thing we've got to remember," cautioned Bob, "is that the gang is
+compact and apparently extremely well organized."
+
+The sheriff was silent for a time.
+
+"Think that plane landing last night might have brought in smuggled
+gems?"
+
+"I don't know," confessed Bob. "Everyone in the department has a feeling
+that the gang is pointing toward one more big smuggling operation. If the
+gems had come in last night I have a feeling that more than one man would
+have been with Hamsa to get them. It just doesn't seem logical that one
+man, even though he might be the leader of the gang, would handle this
+end of the game. I'd be more inclined to think the contact last night was
+for the purpose of making final plans."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXIX
+                               MORE CLUES
+                                   *
+
+
+The sheriff turned this over in his mind for some time as the train
+rumbled along the rough right-of-way. Then he nodded and agreed with Bob.
+
+"Looks like you're right. That means we may be in for a busy time when
+the actual contact is attempted."
+
+"We'll be busy enough, if we can learn where the contact will be made,"
+retorted the young federal agent.
+
+"What about your uncle?" asked the sheriff.
+
+The exultation which had marked Bob's features vanished.
+
+"I don't honestly know. From the reputation of this gang I should fear
+the worst, but for some reason I have unbounded faith in my uncle's
+ability to take care of himself in a crisis. The last we knew was that he
+disappeared from the waterfront and shortly after that a motorboat sped
+down the river."
+
+"Then if a big smuggling operation is under way, it's just possible that
+he might be brought down here," argued the sheriff.
+
+"He might be taken to their hideout," agreed Bob, "but so far our men
+have no real clue to that."
+
+"We may be able to pick up something at Atalissa," said the sheriff.
+"I've a number of friends there who may be able to give me information
+you never could get."
+
+As the accommodation jogged toward the coast, the country became wilder
+and they rumbled across narrow bridges that spanned bayous and salt
+streams. Undergrowth was thick and almost jungle-like. They were in one
+of the wildest sections of the Florida coast--uninviting, inhospitable,
+and for years the hideout for lawbreakers of various kinds.
+
+The brakes went on sharply and the little train swung around a curve as
+the wheels shrieked a protest. Looking ahead, Bob could see a huddle of
+houses around a large bayou. Beyond that was a narrow opening and further
+out a glimpse of the blue Atlantic. This, then, must be Atalissa, his
+present destination.
+
+The sheriff stood up, and looked at his watch.
+
+"Lucky trip this morning," he declared. "Usually the local has a couple
+of derailments."
+
+The train pulled up before a dilapidated station and Bob and the sheriff
+stepped down on a rough plank platform. The only others visible were the
+train crew and the station agent.
+
+"Town looks quiet," said the sheriff as they started down the one street
+which was flanked on one side by the clear waters of the bayou and on the
+other by a long line of buildings, some of them stores and the others
+places of residence.
+
+The first building, a story and a half structure, was a barber shop and
+the sheriff turned in here.
+
+"Morning, sheriff," said the barber.
+
+"Morning, Emil," replied the sheriff. "Want you to meet a friend of mine,
+Bob Houston. Northerner. He's down for a few days loafing and maybe a
+little fishing. Know anything new?"
+
+The barber, inclined to stoutness and baldness, shook his head.
+
+"Not even any good fishing left," he sighed.
+
+"Everybody behavin'?" asked the sheriff.
+
+"Just what are you driving at?" the barber asked.
+
+"Nothing special; just thought you might have heard of something,"
+grinned the sheriff.
+
+"Matter of fact, I have," retorted the barber. "Somebody's been flying
+around here the last couple of nights with a plane of some kind."
+
+"That ain't so unusual, is it?" asked the sheriff. "We've been used to
+all kinds of things along this coast."
+
+"Well, that wasn't so strange, but this morning when I was fishing down
+in Harpey's bayou a boat came through there so fast it was nothing but a
+black streak and a flash of spray. Blamed thing must have been doing
+forty an hour."
+
+Bob's eyes glinted.
+
+"Where did it go?"
+
+"Now I was only in a rowboat and I wouldn't know where a speed boat
+went," replied the barber. Then, seeing the chagrin on Bob's face, he
+added, "I'd almost be willing to bet that it was heading for Lost
+Island."
+
+Bob saw a queer expression flit across the sheriff's face.
+
+"I might have known that's where such a boat would be going," he groaned.
+"Why couldn't it be toward some other island?"
+
+"I wouldn't know," grinned the barber, who sensed that the sheriff was in
+Atalissa on some important mission. Bob saw the barber scanning his coat
+and he wondered if the gun in the shoulder holster was visible. If it
+was, it would reveal instantly that he was an officer, and not the
+vacationer that the sheriff had pictured him to be.
+
+"Guess we'll be getting a boat and heading south," said the sheriff.
+"Just don't say anything to anyone else on what you saw this morning."
+
+"Not a word, sheriff," said the barber, and they left the small shop.
+
+"Queer fellow," nodded the sheriff as they proceeded down the street
+toward a wharf. "He knows everything that's going on and he protects a
+lot of people, but when some outsiders come in and start breaking the
+law, I can always figure he'll tell me the truth."
+
+"What do you make of it?" asked Bob.
+
+"I'd say that the more men you can get in here, the better it will be.
+Emil knows something queer is going on at Lost Island and it was just his
+way of telling me to get there in a hurry. But I don't like that place.
+It's too lonesome and it's so big a man can get lost on it for days."
+
+"I didn't know there were any islands that large along here," replied
+Bob.
+
+"It isn't actually an island," explained the sheriff, "but there's water
+on three sides of it and it's swampy and about as dismal as the last
+place on earth. Always been a favorite hiding place for men trying to get
+away from the law."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXX
+                            READY FOR ACTION
+                                   *
+
+
+At the wharf the sheriff dickered for the rental of a boat and a 20-foot
+craft with a sturdy four cylinder motor was secured. There was nothing
+speedy about it, but it looked eminently safe.
+
+"We may be gone a couple of nights. I know where I can get some duffel
+and grub. You'd better send word for more of your men to get in here,"
+said the sheriff, and while he went in quest of the camping supplies, Bob
+walked back to the station.
+
+He had been warned to use extreme caution in sending out any messages
+from Atalissa, but there was no time to drive to another town and he
+preferred to telegraph rather than to telephone.
+
+The message went in code and it took him some time to compose it. Very
+briefly he outlined what he had learned from the sheriff, concluding,
+"Now believe Merritt Hughes has been brought to Lost Island and that
+attempt to bring in large amount of gems will be made soon."
+
+Bob did not leave the old depot until the telegram was humming over the
+wires on its way to Washington. Then he returned to the wharf and found
+the sheriff waiting.
+
+"We'll start at once," said the officer. "I've got a snack put up for our
+lunch and we'll eat on the way. Save time."
+
+Bob stepped into the bow of the boat where the sheriff had stowed away
+the federal agent's large bag and the officer jumped into the stern. The
+motor was turning over smoothly. The sheriff threw in the clutch and they
+moved away.
+
+The young federal agent looked back at the sleepy village which was
+strung along the bayou. The barber came out of his shop and waved at them
+and the man on the wharf, from whom they had rented the boat, watched
+them, his hands shielding his eyes from the glaring rays of the mid-day
+sun.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy headed the boat toward the seaway, but before they
+reached it swung it sharply to the right and they chugged through a
+narrow passageway that twisted and turned interminably.
+
+"How under the sun can you find your way through all this maze of
+channels?" asked Bob, understanding now why it was an ideal spot to carry
+on smuggling operations.
+
+"Been in this country all my life," explained the sheriff, "but once in a
+while I get lost. Then I usually just sit still until someone hunts me
+up."
+
+A larger expanse of water opened ahead of them.
+
+"Harpey's bayou," said the sheriff. "This is where Emil was fishing when
+that black speed boat came through."
+
+The sheriff put the rudder bar between his legs and unwrapped a package
+which had been resting on the floor boards in the bottom of the boat.
+Inside were half a dozen thick sandwiches, heavily laden with butter and
+with generous slices of cold ham between the bread.
+
+They ate the sandwiches as the launch chugged through the quiet waters of
+Harpey's bayou.
+
+The sheriff produced a jug of cold water and after a deep drink apiece,
+they nosed the boat out of the bayou and into another twisting channel,
+which, while deep, was heavily overgrown with trees which arched above
+the water until they formed a perfect tunnel.
+
+The air was cool and dank and Bob shuddered involuntarily as he thought
+of the loneliness which would descend upon such an area when the sun went
+down.
+
+"How far is it to Lost Island?" he asked the sheriff.
+
+"Depends on just which part we're going to. The nearest point is about
+eight miles from here."
+
+They went on for some distance without speaking, the sheriff devoting
+practically all of his time to watching the channel.
+
+A little more than half an hour later he shut off the engine and
+skillfully guided the boat into a backwater where they would not be
+visible from the main channel.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy dropped the heavy piece of iron which served as an anchor
+overboard and Bob was surprised to note that the water was at least eight
+or nine feet deep.
+
+"Better look over your guns. We may need them in a hurry," advised the
+sheriff.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXXI
+                          A BOAT FLASHES PAST
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob got out his Gladstone bag and opened it, removing the case which held
+his rifle.
+
+He assembled the gun and filled the magazine with shells. Placing it
+against his shoulder, he aimed at a spot some distance away when a sharp
+call from the sheriff stopped the steady pressure of his finger on the
+trigger.
+
+"Don't take any chances with a shot now giving an alarm to anyone," he
+warned. "Remember that the men who hide out down here are all wary of any
+gunshots."
+
+Bob lowered the gun and he knew that his cheeks were burning for, had he
+thought of the possible result, he would not have attempted a practice
+shot or two.
+
+The sheriff, probing his own roll of duffel, unearthed a serviceable
+looking gun.
+
+"Borrowed this from the barber," he grinned. "It isn't quite as fancy a
+gun as yours but it will carry well and I've used it once or twice
+before, so I'm used to handling it."
+
+The sheriff drew out his pipe and lighted it, settling back against the
+gunwale.
+
+"Aren't we going on?" asked Bob.
+
+"Not much use right now," replied the officer. "We'd be spotted in a
+minute. We'll wait until dusk. Then we can cruise along the island.
+They'll be sure to have a fire of some kind for the nights are getting
+chilly."
+
+Bob knew that the sheriff was right, but the thought of inactivity while
+his uncle was in the hands of gangsters galled his active spirit.
+However, he made the best of it and tried to doze.
+
+An hour slipped away when the exhaust of a motorboat, evidently coming at
+high speed, echoed through the lowlands.
+
+The sheriff sat up quickly, glanced at his rifle, and then picked up an
+oar and paddled their boat closer toward a thicket so that they were well
+hidden from the channel which passed within a short distance of the bayou
+where they had sought temporary refuge.
+
+The noise of the oncoming boat was clearer.
+
+"Coming fast," grunted the sheriff, balancing his rifle in his hands.
+
+Bob, crouched in the bow, saw a gray boat shoot into sight in the main
+channel. It was not more than 200 feet away and only one man was in the
+boat. With a start he recognized the crouched figure of Joe Hamsa. Then
+the gray speeder was gone, only a broad, spreading wake remaining to mark
+its passage.
+
+The federal agent turned to the sheriff.
+
+"We've got to follow him. That was Joe Hamsa."
+
+The sheriff shook his head.
+
+"We're not following him now; still too light. Besides I know he's headed
+for the island. Listen to him go!"
+
+The roar of the exhaust gradually died away and the sheriff turned to
+Bob.
+
+"You're sure that was your man?"
+
+"Positive," replied Bob.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy looked at his borrowed rifle once more and Bob saw the
+deep lines of the peace officer's face tighten.
+
+They remained for another hour in the seclusion of the small bayou and
+before they started out again the shadows were deepening and the warmth
+of the afternoon was vanishing.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy started the motor of their boat and Bob pulled up the
+mud-covered anchor. With the motor throttle well down they started for
+Lost Island and Bob was thankful that their boat had an underwater
+exhaust which it was almost impossible to hear.
+
+After leaving the shelter of the bayou, Sheriff McCurdy operated their
+boat with extreme caution and just before they came within sight of Lost
+Island he stopped the boat and spoke to Bob.
+
+"We may be poking our heads into a hornet's nest," he warned. "Want to go
+on or wait until additional federal men can get to Atalissa and we can
+bring them down here?"
+
+"That might be too late," decided Bob. "We'll go on."
+
+The sheriff started the motor and once more they were in forward motion,
+the bow of their small boat knifing its way through the waters of a
+larger lagoon.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXII
+                           LOST ISLAND AHEAD
+                                   *
+
+
+Ahead of them lay a long, low mass of tangled undergrowth.
+
+"Lost Island," said the sheriff cryptically and Bob felt his blood
+beating faster. It was toward this spot that the black speed boat sighted
+by the barber had been going and it was also toward this spot that Joe
+Hamsa had been hurrying in the gray motorboat.
+
+The motor of their own boat died suddenly and Bob looked toward the
+sheriff, whose face was still dimly discernible in the faint light.
+
+"No more noise; we'll use oars from now on."
+
+Bob helped put the oars in their sockets. There were two pairs and they
+bent their backs to the task of rowing.
+
+"This may be an all night job," grunted the sheriff, "but it will be
+worth it if I can catch up with the fellow who threw me out of the car
+last night."
+
+The boat, although not large, was heavy and in less than half an hour Bob
+had blisters on both hands and his back ached mightily.
+
+"Ease up a bit," advised the sheriff. "We'll drift along here and rest."
+
+Bob welcomed the chance to straighten up and he let the oars rest in the
+oarlocks while he stood up in the boat.
+
+A flicker of light to the left caught his eye and he spoke quietly to the
+sheriff.
+
+"There's a light to your left," he said. "Stand up and look at it."
+
+Sheriff McCurdy stood up in the stern.
+
+"I expected something like this," he grunted. "Might as well rest a bit,
+though, for I've too many kinks in my back now to think of a good scrap."
+
+The boat drifted gently and the sheriff told what he knew about the
+island.
+
+"This is one of the highest parts," he explained, "and one of the driest.
+Not much swamp right here and the footing should be good. On the other
+side there's an old pier and a sort of hunting house that was built years
+ago by some northerners. I expect we'll find the men we want over there."
+
+Bob was too impatient to rest very long, and at his insistence, they took
+up the oars again and turned the bow of their boat toward shore.
+
+Moving like a shadow and with as little noise, they guided their craft in
+toward the island. The bow stuck in soft mud three or four feet from the
+shore and the sheriff grunted his distaste.
+
+"We'll have to wade in," he complained. "I'll get wet and that will make
+my rheumatism bad again."
+
+Bob dropped their anchor over into the mud and the sheriff stuck two of
+the spark plugs from the motor in his pocket, effectively disabling the
+boat from use.
+
+With Bob in the lead, they dropped over the side. The muck and ooze was
+cold and slimy and Bob felt his legs plowing in about six inches of the
+clammy stuff. Fortunately they were ashore in about four long strides.
+
+They paused long enough to loosen the guns in their shoulder holsters and
+to look at the safeties on their rifles. Then, with the sheriff in the
+lead, they started for the far side of the narrow island.
+
+There was plenty of underbrush, but the ground was firm, and by treading
+cautiously, they made progress without making much noise.
+
+From a little knoll which they ascended they could look down on the other
+side of the island and the light which Bob had seen from a distance was
+plainly visible.
+
+It was a torch of some kind and was apparently mounted on a rather tall
+pole, for the flame flickered in the light breeze which was sweeping in
+from the open sea.
+
+Moving even more cautiously than before, Bob and the sheriff started down
+for the camp which they knew must be in the blackness beyond the light.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXIII
+                            OUT OF THE NIGHT
+                                   *
+
+
+It was a dismal adventure and it took real courage to move even another
+step forward, but Bob was driven on by the thought that his uncle might
+be on the island and that success tonight would bring about his return
+and smash the ring of smugglers he had been assigned to break up.
+
+As they neared the light it was plain that the flare was mounted on a
+pole about twenty feet tall and Bob stopped the sheriff.
+
+"That looks like a beacon for a plane," he muttered.
+
+"If it is, it fits in with your theory that they'll land the smuggled
+gems by plane," replied Sheriff McCurdy.
+
+They went on, treading easily and giving the circle of light cast by the
+flare a wide birth.
+
+Against the blackness of the waters of a broad bayou which flanked the
+other side of Lost Island loomed the outline of a ramshackle structure
+and though the windows appeared to be boarded up, faint rays of light
+crept through a number of cracks. Bob half stumbled on a stick and the
+noise brought the quick baying of a hound.
+
+"We're in for it now," said the sheriff, and Bob felt that trouble, and
+serious trouble, was just ahead.
+
+A door in the house was thrown open and against the oblong of light could
+be seen the silhouette of a man. Then he stepped out into the night, to
+be followed by a second man, stockier and heavier than the first.
+
+"Stay down," whispered the sheriff. "Maybe they'll miss us. We don't want
+trouble now."
+
+Before the men could leave the shelter of the house, the low drone of an
+incoming plane could be heard. Bob turned toward the east. A red and
+green light, marking the wing tips of a plane, were visible. The craft
+was low and evidently coming in fast.
+
+Even above the noise of the plane, they could hear a shouted command near
+the old house, and one of the men who had stepped outside turned on a
+flash light and raced toward the pier, some distance away. He was
+followed, at a slower pace by the second man.
+
+"That's Hamsa, I'm sure," said Bob.
+
+"Let's get inside and see if anyone is there," said Sheriff McCurdy and
+they moved around so that the house was between them and the pier.
+
+Landing lights of the plane blinked on as it circled over them and once
+the powerful beams swept down on the clearing, but Bob and the Sheriff,
+anticipating that, had dropped to the ground behind an old log and were
+safe, for the moment, from discovery.
+
+"Must be either a seaplane or an amphibian," said Bob as the plane
+prepared to alight on the water.
+
+"Get inside," urged the sheriff, who would feel better when he had some
+shelter.
+
+The two men on the pier were concentrating their attention on the plane
+swinging over the lagoon and the hound which had sounded the alarm was
+beside them, so it was a comparatively simple matter for Bob to jump
+across the threshold.
+
+Inside the door, where only an oil lamp cast faint illumination, he
+crouched with his rifle in his hands, accustoming his eyes to the light.
+There was, apparently, no one in the room.
+
+He spoke softly to the sheriff, who was waiting just outside.
+
+"All clear; come on!"
+
+With one bound the sheriff was inside and like Bob he had his rifle ready
+for instant action.
+
+Squinting between cracks in the wall, the sheriff watched the action in
+the lagoon. The plane smacked the surface of the water sharply and came
+to rest several hundred feet from the end of the old pier. The men
+waiting there put out in a motorboat, making directly for the plane,
+which was bobbing around on the waves which it had stirred up in the
+quiet waters.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXIV
+                             IN THE SHANTY
+                                   *
+
+
+Sheriff McCurdy turned from the wall and watched Bob open the door to the
+second room. He saw the young federal agent drop to his knees and his gun
+clatter while a choked sob escaped from Bob's lips.
+
+The sheriff crossed the room in several bounds and bent down over Bob,
+who was kneeling beside the bound and gagged figure of a man.
+
+Without asking questions, the sheriff handed Bob a knife and the ropes
+and gag were slashed.
+
+"Uncle Merritt, Uncle Merritt," cried Bob. "Speak to me." There was
+desperation in his voice.
+
+Merritt Hughes opened his eyes and tried to smile. His lips and tongue
+were swollen from the gag, but the expression in his eyes gave Bob
+courage.
+
+"We'd better get him out of here," said Bob. "They'll be back and we
+won't be ready for them."
+
+Before they could turn, a harsh laugh echoed through the room and the
+heavy voice of Joe Hamsa lashed at them.
+
+"You're not going any place, boys, except where I want you to and you'll
+never return from there."
+
+Bob started to move, but a quick command from Hamsa stopped him.
+
+"Don't move kid. I've got a machine gun on you and my finger is nervous.
+Turn around slowly and don't either one of you try any gunplay."
+
+They started to turn slowly when Bob was amazed by a quick gesture of his
+uncle's. Hidden in the heavy shadow of the little room which adjoined the
+larger one, he reached up and like a flash seized the revolver which was
+in the shoulder holster. There wasn't even the rustle of Bob's coat as
+the gun was whisked away and Bob continued to turn slowly toward Hamsa.
+
+The man who had claimed to be a diamond salesman was standing in the
+doorway, a machine gun in his hands. Behind him was a man with a scar,
+whom Bob recognized from the descriptions obtained in Jacksonville must
+have been the abductor of his uncle. To the rear of these two was a
+slender chap, little older than Bob and with a thin face. He was in a
+flyer's outfit and in his hands carried a soft leather case.
+
+"Get their guns, Rap," barked Hamsa, and the man with the scar came
+forward, his hands patting the sheriff for weapons. The gun was taken
+from the shoulder holster and the rifle was tossed across the room.
+
+The man known as Rap then turned to Bob and his hands found the empty
+holster.
+
+"Gun's gone," said Rap flatly and without expression.
+
+"Where?" demanded Hamsa.
+
+"Lost in the brush," fibbed Bob.
+
+The answer seemed to satisfy them and Rap took the rifle from Bob's
+hands.
+
+"Take this gun and keep those fellows covered while Curt and I check over
+the stuff he brought in," ordered Hamsa, handing his weapon to Rap while
+the fellow, whom he had called Curt, strode into the room and placed his
+black leather case on the rough table.
+
+Bob gasped as the velvet lined case was opened and scores of gleaming
+diamonds were revealed. A king's fortune was spread on the table in front
+of them and Hamsa, an ugly light in his eyes, looked at his captives.
+
+"So you federal men thought you were smart enough for Joe Hamsa?" he
+chortled. "Well, this is your last assignment. You've seen me and you've
+seen how we bring in the stuff. This is my last job. I'll make a cool
+million on it. Think it over."
+
+He turned back to the pile of gems and ran them through his stubby
+fingers, gloating at the wealth that was on the table.
+
+"What are we going to do now?" asked Curt.
+
+"Sink your plane and the gray boat. We'll use the black one for a getaway
+and we'll burn this place before we leave."
+
+"How about the federal men?" The flyer gestured toward Bob and the
+others.
+
+"Maybe we'll sink them, too," said Hamsa and there was deadly mirth in
+his words.
+
+The man known as Rap started to laugh, but a sharp explosion back of Bob
+turned the laugh into a sob and Rap, gasping for breath, sank to the
+floor.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXXV
+                          REVERSING THE TABLES
+                                   *
+
+
+Hamsa whirled toward the officers, a gun in his right hand. Before he
+could use it, there was another explosion and Hamsa reeled back against
+the wall, his right arm hanging limp and useless, the gun which it had
+held falling to the floor.
+
+"Don't move!" The command was low and husky, but there was authority in
+the words and Bob, out of the corner of one eye, saw his uncle step out
+of the small room to the rear. From this position of advantage he had
+disabled Rap, the machine gunner, and wounded Hamsa. Curt, the flyer, had
+his hands in the air.
+
+"Pick up their guns, Bob," commanded his uncle and Bob picked up the
+machine gun and the revolver Hamsa had dropped.
+
+"Search them!"
+
+This time the sheriff stepped forward and with hands long experienced in
+that kind of work, searched even the hats of the others. A gun was taken
+from the flyer and a stubby but deadly pistol from Rap. These were placed
+on the table beside the glittering pile of diamonds.
+
+"Got any handcuffs, sheriff?" asked Bob's uncle after the young federal
+agent introduced his ally.
+
+Two small, compact pairs were produced from the capacious pockets of the
+peace officer. One pair was snapped on Hamsa and the other on Curt and
+Rap.
+
+While Bob and his uncle went about the task of giving first aid to Rap
+and Hamsa, the sheriff went down to the old wharf to inspect the boats.
+
+When he returned, the bandaging was done, for neither wound was serious.
+
+"We can start any time you want to," he informed the federal men.
+
+"Take these fellows down. We'll be along shortly," replied Merritt
+Hughes, and when Hamsa and his allies had been led away by the sheriff,
+he sat down on one side of the table and motioned for Bob to take a seat
+opposite him.
+
+"Let's hear your side of the story, Bob," said his uncle as he sat down,
+massaging the red marks which the tightly tied ropes had made on his
+hands.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXVI
+                           UNTANGLING THE WEB
+                                   *
+
+
+It was a strange setting, the rays from the kerosene lamp on the table
+throwing a soft glow over the diamonds which were still heaped on the
+black velvet.
+
+Bob was anxious to tell his own story, but first he wanted to know about
+his uncle.
+
+"Sure you're all right?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, my arms and legs are still a little numb and I can't talk any too
+well, but I'm coming around fast now."
+
+Bob launched into a detailed explanation of all of the events which had
+taken place since the disappearance of his uncle in Jacksonville.
+
+"Luckiest thing that ever happened to me was when I ran into the
+sheriff," he said.
+
+"No doubt about it," agreed his uncle. Then he went on, "The men we
+captured tonight are the brains of the gang. From what Hamsa said after
+he got here this afternoon I gathered that two more members of the gang
+were picked up by you and Condon Adams last night."
+
+"That's right," said Bob. "But I can't figure out how Hamsa got down here
+so soon and I thought he'd never get out of the river he fell into on the
+way down from Washington."
+
+"Hamsa is a tough customer," said Merritt Hughes. "He has a tremendous
+physique and was able to swim to shore. Then he chartered a private plane
+and came south."
+
+"They've been running in the diamonds by plane all the time," said Bob.
+
+"Curt has been their pilot. He's got a fast amphibian and last night he
+made contact with Hamsa near Atalissa and informed him that a large
+consignment would be delivered tonight. They were careful to make only
+the contacts with the smuggled gems here to keep suspicions away from
+this island."
+
+"Where did Curt get the gems?" Bob wanted to know.
+
+"They were brought over from Europe aboard tramp steamers. Curt would
+contact the ships well off the coast and then fly the smuggled stuff in
+at night. They were careful about the type of gems they brought in. Why
+these diamonds on the table could be sold almost any place without
+suspicion. In fact, Hamsa actually went around the country peddling them
+to customers who had no idea that they were smuggled property."
+
+Bob, leaning back in his chair, looked at his uncle.
+
+"You must have been brought directly here," he said.
+
+"Just as fast as the fellow they call Rap could get me here. Hamsa had
+been in Washington. Somehow he got wind that Department of Justice men
+were being put on his trail and he learned that Adams and I had been sent
+south. It was up to Rap to get us out of the way. Then Hamsa came down
+and it was just luck that he met you and Tully on the train. What looked
+like a bad situation for us turned out all right."
+
+Bob chuckled.
+
+"Won't Tully be sore when he learns that the whole case has been cleared
+up without him getting even as far as Jacksonville."
+
+"I wouldn't worry about Tully, Bob. This is another feather in your cap.
+Just keep plugging away and you'll get toward the top in the Department
+mighty fast."
+
+Merritt Hughes bent down and gathered up the smuggled gems, wrapping them
+in the velvet and replacing them in the leather case.
+
+"We might as well destroy this place so that it will no longer be used
+for such purposes," he said, and as he stepped out of the door behind Bob
+he aimed a shot at the kerosene lamp. A sheet of flame spread through the
+interior of the shanty and the dry wood crackled lustily as the fire ate
+into it.
+
+The glow of the burning shanty illuminated the clearing and they found
+their way easily to the old wharf where Sheriff McCurdy and his prisoners
+were waiting for them. Further out the amphibian was drifting at its
+anchor.
+
+"We'll have to leave that for another trip," smiled Merritt Hughes.
+"Sheriff, let's start for town. I'm hungry and sleepy."
+
+With their three captives in the bow, Bob and his uncle just behind them
+and the sheriff at the wheel at the rear, they started out of the bayou,
+another successful chapter written in the bureau of investigation's war
+on crime.
+
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+                          Transcriber's Notes
+                                   *
+
+
+--Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public
+  domain in the country of publication.
+
+--Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and
+  dialect unchanged.
+
+--In the text versions only, delimited italicized text by _underscores_.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery, by Graham M. Dean
+
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+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery, by Graham M. Dean
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery
+       A Story of Thrilling Exploits of the G-Men
+
+Author: Graham M. Dean
+
+Release Date: January 29, 2014 [EBook #44786]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AGENT NINE AND THE JEWEL MYSTERY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<div class="img">
+<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery" width="600" height="685" />
+</div>
+<div class="img">
+<img src="images/icover.jpg" alt="Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery" width="500" height="759" />
+</div>
+<div class="box">
+<h1>Agent Nine
+<br />and the
+<br />Jewel Mystery</h1>
+<p class="center"><i>By</i>
+<br /><span class="sc">Graham M. Dean</span>
+<br /><span class="small">Author of
+<br /><i>Agent Nine&rsquo;s First Case</i></span></p>
+<p class="center">&#9733;</p>
+<p class="center"><i>A Story of Thrilling Exploits
+<br />of the &ldquo;G&rdquo; Men</i></p>
+<p class="tbcenter">The
+<br />Goldsmith Publishing Company
+<br /><span class="smaller">CHICAGO</span></p>
+<p class="tbcenter"><span class="small"><i>Copyright 1935, by
+<br />The Goldsmith Publishing Company</i></span>
+<br /><span class="smaller"><i>Manufactured in the United States of America</i></span></p>
+</div>
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+<dl class="toc">
+<dt class="jr"><span class="jl"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></span> <span class="small">PAGE</span></dt>
+<dt><a href="#c1"><span class="cn">I. </span>AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION</a> 15</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c2"><span class="cn">II. </span>A NEW CASE</a> 25</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c3"><span class="cn">III. </span>&ldquo;GOOD LUCK&rdquo;</a> 35</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c4"><span class="cn">IV. </span>TULLY&rsquo;S CHALLENGE</a> 41</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c5"><span class="cn">V. </span>ON THE SOUTHERN LIMITED</a> 45</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c6"><span class="cn">VI. </span>STRANGE EVENTS</a> 54</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c7"><span class="cn">VII. </span>THE MAN ON THE PLATFORM</a> 64</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c8"><span class="cn">VIII. </span>TULLY&rsquo;S PAPERS VANISH</a> 73</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c9"><span class="cn">IX. </span>BOB GETS A WARNING</a> 84</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c10"><span class="cn">X. </span>IN CAR 43</a> 93</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c11"><span class="cn">XI. </span>DOUBLE DANGER</a> 99</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c12"><span class="cn">XII. </span>A NEW MYSTERY</a> 110</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c13"><span class="cn">XIII. </span>GOING ON</a> 117</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c14"><span class="cn">XIV. </span>THE LIGHTS GO OUT</a> 125</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c15"><span class="cn">XV. </span>IN THE AISLE</a> 132</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c16"><span class="cn">XVI. </span>FIGHTING FOR LIFE</a> 139</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c17"><span class="cn">XVII. </span>INTO ANGRY WATERS</a> 144</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c18"><span class="cn">XVIII. </span>PICKING UP CLUES</a> 149</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c19"><span class="cn">XIX. </span>THE WARNING</a> 156</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c20"><span class="cn">XX. </span>MEAGER HOPES</a> 162</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c21"><span class="cn">XXI. </span>SPECIAL AGENT NINE</a> 167</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c22"><span class="cn">XXII. </span>A HARD ASSIGNMENT</a> 174</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c23"><span class="cn">XXIII. </span>SNAP AIM SCORES</a> 186</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c24"><span class="cn">XXIV. </span>AT THE HOSPITAL</a> 190</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c25"><span class="cn">XXV. </span>BOB GETS READY</a> 195</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c26"><span class="cn">XXVI. </span>&ldquo;DON&rsquo;T MOVE!&rdquo;</a> 199</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c27"><span class="cn">XXVII. </span>SHERIFF MCCURDY TALKS</a> 207</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c28"><span class="cn">XXVIII. </span>THEORIES</a> 211</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c29"><span class="cn">XXIX. </span>MORE CLUES</a> 216</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c30"><span class="cn">XXX. </span>READY FOR ACTION</a> 222</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c31"><span class="cn">XXXI. </span>A BOAT FLASHES PAST</a> 227</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c32"><span class="cn">XXXII. </span>LOST ISLAND AHEAD</a> 232</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c33"><span class="cn">XXXIII. </span>OUT OF THE NIGHT</a> 236</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c34"><span class="cn">XXXIV. </span>IN THE SHANTY</a> 240</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c35"><span class="cn">XXXV. </span>REVERSING THE TABLES</a> 245</dt>
+<dt><a href="#c36"><span class="cn">XXXVI. </span>UNTANGLING THE WEB</a> 248</dt>
+</dl>
+<h1 title="">AGENT NINE AND THE
+<br />JEWEL MYSTERY</h1>
+<p class="center">&#9733;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_15">[15]</div>
+<h2 id="c1"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter I</span></span>
+<br />AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob Houston, the youngest agent of the
+Federal Bureau of Investigation, stepped
+out of the Department of Justice Building
+and turned toward home, his heart beating faster
+than it had in months. It hardly seemed real but
+he was now a full-fledged agent in the greatest
+man hunting division in the Federal Government.</p>
+<p>Bob paused a moment at the curb. Another
+man who had emerged from the justice building
+joined him. It was his uncle, Merritt Hughes, one
+of the most famous detectives in the department.
+He put his arm around Bob&rsquo;s shoulders and shook
+him in a rough but friendly embrace.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Bob, how does it feel to be a real federal
+agent?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_16">[16]</div>
+<p>It was a moment before Bob replied, and when
+he finally spoke the words came slowly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hardly know,&rdquo; he confessed, &ldquo;as yet it
+doesn&rsquo;t seem real, but there is one thing I do
+know&mdash;I&rsquo;m going to work night and day to make
+a success of this new job.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry about making a success,&rdquo; advised
+his uncle. &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got the stuff to make good or
+you wouldn&rsquo;t have been taken into the department.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When do you think I&rsquo;ll get my first assignment
+on a new case?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s hard to say,&rdquo; replied the famous detective,
+&ldquo;but if I were you I&rsquo;d go home now and
+get a good night&rsquo;s sleep. In this kind of a game
+you&rsquo;d better sleep when you can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then I&rsquo;m headed for home now,&rdquo; said Bob.
+&ldquo;Good night, and thanks for all you&rsquo;ve done for
+me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With that the young federal agent strode off
+down the avenue, his lungs drinking in great gulps
+of the cool air of the fall night.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_17">[17]</div>
+<p>Merritt Hughes stood on the curb of the justice
+building watching his nephew until Bob
+turned the corner a block away. Anyone noticing
+the federal agent would have seen a slight smile
+of pleasure on his lips and he might have guessed
+that Merritt Hughes was greatly pleased by the
+events which had happened in the preceding
+hours.</p>
+<p>As a matter of fact, Bob Houston, a plain clerk
+in the archives division of the War Department,
+temporarily a provisional federal agent, had been
+the key figure in preventing the theft of some of
+Uncle Sam&rsquo;s most valuable radio secrets.</p>
+<p>Through Bob&rsquo;s efforts a daring plot had been
+thwarted and the men responsible taken into
+custody. As a reward for this brilliant work, Bob
+had been made a full-fledged agent of the famous
+bureau of investigation of the Department of
+Justice.</p>
+<p>There were many thoughts in Bob&rsquo;s mind as he
+strode toward home that night. Only that afternoon
+he had led the raid on the east shore of
+Maryland which had resulted in the apprehension
+of the gang which had been attempting to steal
+the radio secrets. Then, after the return to Washington,
+had come eventful hours.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_18">[18]</div>
+<p>Bob would never forget the scene in the office
+of Waldo Edgar, chief of the bureau of investigation,
+when Mr. Edgar had informed Bob that he
+was a regular federal agent and had presented his
+credentials to him.</p>
+<p>Just to make sure that he wasn&rsquo;t dreaming, Bob
+pulled a small leather wallet from an inside coat
+pocket and paused under a street light to look at
+its contents. There was no mistake. There in the
+wallet was a small gold badge which denoted his
+office and the finely engraved card which marked
+his identification. Bob replaced the wallet with a
+particular glow of satisfaction and continued
+toward home.</p>
+<p>The night air was raw and Bob increased his
+pace as he neared the building where he made his
+home. He turned in at the entrance and made his
+way up to the third floor where he had a comfortable
+room in a rear apartment.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_19">[19]</div>
+<p>Bob unlocked the door and snapped on the
+light. It was a typical man&rsquo;s room with a large
+chiffonier and a deep clothes closet in one wall.
+There was a reading light near the head of the
+bed and beside this a large easy chair with a book
+rack. A number of books and magazines were
+scattered on this rack, and usually Bob sat down
+to read for a time before going to bed; but tonight
+he was too tired to read and he undressed rapidly.</p>
+<p>Tired though he was, sleep was slow in coming
+to him as his mind went over the events of recent
+hours. Bob wondered just what Tully Ross was
+thinking and doing, for Tully had been his rival in
+seeking a solution to the mystery of the radio
+secrets.</p>
+<p>Tully, also a clerk in the archives division of the
+War Department, had an uncle, Condon Adams,
+who, like Merritt Hughes, was a federal agent.
+Both Tully and his uncle had worked on the radio
+case, but by dint of Bob&rsquo;s good fortune and sharp
+detective work Bob and his uncle had solved the
+case before Tully and <i>his</i> uncle could find the
+solution. In spite of this, Tully had been made an
+agent in the bureau of investigation and there was
+every indication that the rivalry which had started
+when they were clerks in the War Department
+would continue in their new work.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_20">[20]</div>
+<p>Bob was just dropping asleep when the telephone
+beside his bed rang sharply. He turned on
+the light and picked up the instrument, all thought
+of sleep now gone from his mind. Could it be his
+first assignment?</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hello? Hello?&rdquo; said Bob anxiously.</p>
+<p>But there was no reply over the wire and Bob
+clicked the receiver hook several times, finally
+deciding that the call must have been the wrong
+number.</p>
+<p>When Bob finally did get to sleep he slept with
+the heaviness of complete nervous and physical
+exhaustion. It was mid-forenoon and the sun was
+streaming in his windows when he finally awakened.
+There had been no instructions to him on
+when to report for his new work and he took a
+shower and dressed leisurely.</p>
+<p>Bob stepped out of the apartment building and
+took a deep breath of the crisp air of the mid-fall
+morning. Then he walked down the street to a
+small shop where he usually had his breakfast.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_21">[21]</div>
+<p>After ordering his breakfast he picked up a
+morning paper on his table and his eyes instantly
+focused on the headlines in the center of the front
+page:</p>
+<p class="center">&ldquo;FEDERAL AGENTS CAPTURE GANG OF RADIO THIEVES&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob read the story with avid attention. Here in
+detail was related on the front page of one of the
+nation&rsquo;s great newspapers the complete story of
+the part he had played in rounding up the gang of
+radio thieves. Bob looked up from the paper. His
+face felt flushed and he knew he appeared highly
+self-conscious, but no one seemed to be noticing
+him and he resumed his reading of the story.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_22">[22]</div>
+<p>It was evident that the reporter who had written
+the story must have obtained his information
+from a federal agent, but Bob knew that there was
+a rule in the department that all information of
+this type must come from the head of the department.
+He was quite sure that Waldo Edgar had
+not given out the story. As Bob read further the
+conviction grew that Tully Ross must have supplied
+the facts for the newspaper story, for a great
+deal of credit had been given to Tully for things
+which he had not done.</p>
+<p>Bob dropped the paper in disgust. That was just
+like Tully to attempt to claim credit for something
+which someone else had done.</p>
+<p>Bob finished his breakfast, paid his bill and
+started walking toward the Department of Justice
+Building. He had gone a little more than a block
+when a car pulled along the curb and the driver
+stuck his head out the window.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Want a lift, Bob?&rdquo; asked a pleasant voice and
+Bob turned to face Lieutenant Gibbons, War
+Department intelligence officer, who had helped
+him in the solution of the radio mystery.</p>
+<p>Bob climbed into the coup&eacute; and Lieutenant
+Gibbons sent the car shooting down the avenue,
+dodging in and out of the heavy mid-forenoon
+stream of traffic.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Quite a story in the morning papers,&rdquo; smiled
+the lieutenant.</p>
+<p>Bob nodded.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_23">[23]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Looks like Tully Ross has been doing a little
+personal press agenting,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Personally, I&rsquo;m
+not very strong for that sort of thing.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Neither am I,&rdquo; said the lieutenant, &ldquo;but some
+people seem to live on a diet of publicity and I
+guess Tully is one of that kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The lieutenant wheeled his coup&eacute; up in front
+of the Department of Justice Building and Bob
+stepped out.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thanks a lot for the lift,&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, that&rsquo;s all right, Bob. I wonder when we&rsquo;ll
+be working on a case again?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s hard to say,&rdquo; grinned Bob. &ldquo;Hope it
+will be soon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With that he turned and entered the building
+while Lieutenant Gibbons resumed his journey.</p>
+<p>Bob took an elevator to the top floor where the
+head of the bureau of investigation had his offices.
+A clerk in the anteroom took his name and
+looked up sharply as he consulted an appointment
+chart on his desk.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think Mr. Edgar is expecting you,&rdquo; he said,
+&ldquo;for your name is on his call list this morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_24">[24]</div>
+<p>Bob looked eagerly at the clerk.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Does this mean I&rsquo;m going to be assigned to a
+case?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t say,&rdquo; replied the clerk, &ldquo;but I shouldn&rsquo;t
+be surprised. I&rsquo;ll send in your name at once. Just
+have a seat and wait for a few minutes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob was the only one in the anteroom and he
+sat down on a padded bench beside the clerk&rsquo;s
+desk, with a growing feeling that within a few
+minutes he would be called in and assigned on his
+first case as a full time federal agent.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_25">[25]</div>
+<h2 id="c2"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter II</span></span>
+<br />A NEW CASE<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob had been waiting in the anteroom less than
+five minutes when the door banged open
+and Tully Ross almost catapulted into the
+room. Tully was about the last person in the world
+that Bob wanted to see just then but he grinned
+and made the best of it.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hello, Tully. What&rsquo;s all the hurry?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>Tully stopped abruptly and stared at Bob.
+There was no friendliness in the glance that swept
+Bob from head to foot.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t expect to see you here,&rdquo; he blurted
+out.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That goes for me, too,&rdquo; replied Bob. &ldquo;That
+was quite a story you gave the reporters last
+night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A deep flush swept over Tully&rsquo;s face but he
+was quick to deny the implications in Bob&rsquo;s words.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_26">[26]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;What story do you mean?&rdquo; he asked sharply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess you know what I mean,&rdquo; said Bob
+evenly. &ldquo;I thought it was a rule of this department
+not to give out news stories.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re on the wrong track,&rdquo; Tully insisted;
+but Bob knew by the expression on Tully&rsquo;s face
+that Tully had given out the news story, thereby
+violating one of the rules of the department.</p>
+<p>Tully sat down on a bench on the other side of
+the room facing Bob. He was silent for less than
+a minute for he could not check his curiosity.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you been assigned to a case yet?&rdquo; he
+asked. There was an envious note in his voice.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not yet, but I expect to get an assignment
+soon,&rdquo; said Bob. &ldquo;Have you a new assignment?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m expecting one this morning,&rdquo; replied
+Tully confidently. &ldquo;In fact, that&rsquo;s why I&rsquo;m
+here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The clerk in charge of the room returned and
+asked Tully&rsquo;s name and business.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Edgar will be ready to see both of you in
+a minute or two,&rdquo; the clerk advised them.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_27">[27]</div>
+<p>A buzzer on the clerk&rsquo;s desk whirred and the
+official stepped to the door, opened it and motioned
+for Bob and Tully to enter the private
+office.</p>
+<p>Waldo Edgar, the slender, wiry head of the
+bureau of investigation looked up from behind the
+pile of papers on his desk. Bob saw a copy of one
+of the morning papers spread out in front of the
+federal chief and he knew that both he and Tully
+were quite likely to be in for some unpleasant moments.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good morning, boys,&rdquo; said Mr. Edgar, but
+there was little warmth in his voice and he left
+them standing in front of his desk as he pointed to
+the story in the paper in front of him. His gaze
+centered on Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you responsible for this story, Bob?&rdquo; he
+asked.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent&rsquo;s denial was quick and
+confident.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know a thing about the story until I
+read it at breakfast this morning,&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_28">[28]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;This seems to be a pretty accurate account of
+what actually took place in the roundup of the
+gang responsible for the theft of the radio secrets,&rdquo;
+said the federal chief. &ldquo;The information
+could have been supplied only by someone in our
+own department and you know there is a rule
+against giving out such information.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I know there is such a rule,&rdquo; said Bob, &ldquo;and I
+can assure you that I have talked to no one.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob&rsquo;s straightforward words seemed to satisfy
+the federal chief and he shifted his gaze to Tully,
+who was standing uneasily on first one foot and
+then the other.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What have you to say for yourself, Tully?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The question was short and pointed and Bob
+saw Tully&rsquo;s eyes shift away from those of Waldo
+Edgar.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;m to blame for the story,&rdquo; confessed
+Tully. &ldquo;You see it was this way&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But Tully&rsquo;s explanation was cut short.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_29">[29]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not interested in how you happened to
+talk,&rdquo; said the federal chief. &ldquo;However, I am glad
+that you have admitted your indiscretion so
+readily. In the future be sure to keep this rule in
+mind. It is your job to solve the cases assigned
+to you and to keep out of the headlines and off the
+front pages of the newspapers. The less publicity
+we have the more effective can be our work.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After delivering that short but pointed lecture
+Waldo Edgar picked up a file of papers on his
+desk and skimmed through them hurriedly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I called both of you in at this time,&rdquo; he explained,
+&ldquo;because I am assigning you on the same
+case.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob glanced sharply at Tully and there was a
+deep scowl on his rival&rsquo;s face. The exchange of
+glances was not lost to Waldo Edgar for he was
+aware of the rivalry between his youngest agents.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I realize quite well that both of you are intensely
+interested in winning advancement in this
+department,&rdquo; he went on. &ldquo;For that very reason I
+know that when I assign you to a case you will
+leave nothing undone until you find the solution.
+You may step on one another&rsquo;s toes in reaching
+your goal but you get results and that is what I
+want.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The federal chief once more consulted the file
+on his desk.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_30">[30]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;The mission I am going to send you on is one
+which has baffled some of the best men in the
+customs service. In other words, I am counting
+on you two youngsters, with your enthusiasm and
+determination, to get to the bottom of one of the
+most difficult cases that has been assigned to this
+department in recent years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob, looking down at the desk in front of him,
+saw a number of letters which bore the insignia
+of the customs service. Several of them were post-marked
+from cities in Florida. In addition, there
+were several letters from Paris and London.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When I tell you that I am assigning you to this
+case, don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;m altogether foolish, for both
+Merritt Hughes and Condon Adams will be
+working with you,&rdquo; said the federal chief.</p>
+<p>Bob knew what that meant. There would be
+the same rivalry which had marked the radio
+mystery with Condon Adams and Tully Ross attempting
+to solve the case before Bob and his
+uncle could find the solution.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_31">[31]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I have already had Adams and Hughes in here
+this morning and have explained in detail this
+case. They have departed on their own assignments
+and I shall expect both of you to be on your
+way to Florida early in the afternoon.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Briefly it will be your task to help bring to
+justice one of the most daring band of jewel
+smugglers that has ever operated between Europe
+and the United States. They are so clever and daring
+that they have defied the efforts of the best
+detectives in the customs service and we have
+been appealed to for aid in solving the case.
+Actually, we have very little to go upon.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Apparently this is a small but very versatile
+band of men. Just how they get the jewels into
+this country is one of the mysteries which you
+must solve. One of the few things that we do
+know is that they apparently are operating off
+the Florida coast, reaching this country by the
+means of small, fast boats. It is going to be your
+task to attempt to find the base along the Florida
+coast where they center their operations.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_32">[32]</div>
+<p>Waldo Edgar swung around in his chair and
+turned to a large map of the United States which
+covered the entire wall behind his desk. He
+picked up a pointer and touched several spots on
+the Florida section on the map.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bob,&rdquo; he instructed, &ldquo;you are to proceed as
+rapidly as possible to Atalissa, a small town on the
+coast. That is to be your headquarters for we
+know that somewhere in the territory adjacent to
+Atalissa these smugglers have been operating. I
+must warn you now that you must use every precaution
+to keep your identity secret for this particular
+section of the Florida coast is not friendly
+toward federal men.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The pointer in the hand of the federal chief
+moved further along the map until it paused once
+more at a coastal town.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are to go to Nira,&rdquo; he instructed Tully.
+&ldquo;I consider that this is as far south as the smugglers
+are operating while Atalissa is the northern point.
+Somewhere between these two bases I am sure
+you will be able to uncover information which
+will be of real value to us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Waldo Edgar turned back from the map and
+faced his young agents. There was just a trace of
+a smile on his lips.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_33">[33]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Think you can handle this assignment?&rdquo; he
+asked.</p>
+<p>Bob was the first to reply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll handle it if I have to swim along the whole
+coast of Florida,&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<p>Waldo Edgar chuckled. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think that
+will be necessary.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How about my uncle and Merritt Hughes?&rdquo;
+asked Tully. &ldquo;Will they be working in the same
+territory?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, they are working on the Florida angle of
+the case and I expect you to keep them advised of
+any developments which you are able to uncover.
+You can reach them in Jacksonville and their telephone
+number will be given to you before you
+leave Washington this afternoon. If you call here
+at one o&rsquo;clock, your complete transportation and
+expense money will be ready for you as well as a
+written file of all the information which we now
+have about the jewel smugglers. Can you be ready
+by one o&rsquo;clock?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can go now,&rdquo; said Bob.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_34">[34]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Better go home and throw an extra shirt or
+two and some socks into a traveling bag,&rdquo; advised
+the federal chief. &ldquo;I like to see plenty of enthusiasm,
+but you may be gone a good many weeks
+and you should be thoroughly prepared for a
+strenuous trip. If you have boots and some good
+heavy clothes, be sure to put them in your bag and
+by all means do not go unarmed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Waldo Edgar stood up and shook hands with
+each of them.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will not see you again before you go, but I
+expect great things from both of you. I shall
+watch your reports with interest.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_35">[35]</div>
+<h2 id="c3"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter III</span></span>
+<br />&ldquo;GOOD LUCK&rdquo;<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob and Tully left the office of the federal
+chief together and descended in the same
+elevator to the first floor. Both of them
+were stirred by a strong feeling of elation for this
+was their first assignment since becoming federal
+agents.</p>
+<p>Bob would have liked to talk the case over
+with his uncle, but he knew now that Merritt
+Hughes was already on his way to Florida and
+whatever Bob was to do on the case he would
+have to do alone.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Seems to me you get all the best of these assignments,&rdquo;
+grumbled Tully. &ldquo;I know something
+about Florida and Nira is just about the last place
+in the world I want to go to.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_36">[36]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see why you should complain,&rdquo; said
+Bob, &ldquo;even though Nira may not be a very pleasant
+place, for you have a distinct advantage over
+me since I have never been to Florida.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They parted as they walked out of the building,
+and Bob, hailing a taxicab, sped toward the
+apartment building where he made his home.</p>
+<p>Packing was a comparatively simple thing for
+Bob. He pulled a serviceable but battered Gladstone
+bag out of the closet and opened it upon
+the bed.</p>
+<p>Fortunately he had a large supply of freshly
+laundered clothes and he packed one side of the
+bag solid with shirts, socks and underwear. That
+done he went back to the closet and rummaged
+around until he found an old hunting outfit of
+corduroy trousers and coat.</p>
+<p>From one corner of the closet he pulled a pair
+of heavy boots which were soft and pliable. The
+woolen socks which he pulled from the boots had
+been almost consumed by moths and Bob threw
+the socks away, making a mental note that he
+would have to buy more either in Washington or
+when he arrived in Florida.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_37">[37]</div>
+<p>On the third trip to the closet Bob returned
+with a well-worn gun case in his hands. He
+opened the brown leather case and drew forth a
+special hunting rifle which had been given to
+him by his uncle several years before.</p>
+<p>The gun had received excellent care as the
+gleaming barrel indicated, and Bob, sitting down
+on the edge of the bed, caressed it with hands
+that were almost affectionate. He had nicknamed
+the gun &ldquo;Ezekiel&rdquo; after an eccentric old hunter
+he had known in his home town in Iowa.</p>
+<p>Bob, although not a remarkable shot with a
+rifle, could be classed as better than average, for
+his eyesight was good and his finger was steady
+in its pull on the trigger.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent examined the gun
+carefully. There was more than a good chance
+that it might be called into use if his Florida trip
+developed all of the possibilities Waldo Edgar
+had indicated. Bob sighted through the barrel of
+the gun and smiled to himself as he noted the
+cleanness of the bore, for he prided himself on the
+care which he had given the weapon.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_38">[38]</div>
+<p>There was a small box of ammunition in the
+gun case and Bob examined the shells. They had
+been in the case for three months but there was
+no reason to believe that they had deteriorated for
+the gun case had been kept in a warm, dry place.</p>
+<p>Bob slipped the rifle back into the case, which
+was just long enough to fit into his Gladstone bag.
+He folded up his corduroy outfit and placed this
+on top of the rifle. Then the boots went in and on
+top of them he jammed several soft flannel shirts
+that could be worn a reasonable time without
+laundering. It was impossible to foretell just what
+he would encounter in Florida and he wanted to
+be prepared for every possible emergency.</p>
+<p>The packing had taken longer than Bob had
+expected and when he looked at his watch he
+realized that there was little time to lose if he expected
+to reach the justice department building
+for his one o&rsquo;clock appointment. Bob jammed his
+shaving outfit in on top of his clothes and closed
+the bag. It fairly bulged with the articles he had
+packed away and the big case was both clumsy
+and heavy to carry.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_39">[39]</div>
+<p>Bob looked around his room as he paused at the
+door. It might be weeks before he would return
+and he would miss the orderly pleasantness of the
+room with his comfortable chair and his excellent
+books.</p>
+<p>Then he closed and locked the door and walked
+down the hallway as rapidly as he could with his
+heavy bag. He summoned a taxi and started for
+the Department of Justice Building where detailed
+instructions were awaiting him.</p>
+<p>The ride down town took less than ten minutes
+and Bob reached the building at five minutes to
+one, just in time to see Tully Ross precede him
+through the main entrance.</p>
+<p>Bob paid his taxi fare and then left his heavy
+bag at the information desk on the main floor
+while he was whirled upward in an elevator. The
+same clerk who had greeted him that morning was
+on duty in the outer office and Tully, seated on a
+bench, was opening a large Manila envelope.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_40">[40]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Your instructions, train tickets, expense
+money and data on the case are all in this envelope,&rdquo;
+said the clerk, handing a similar container
+to Bob. &ldquo;Your train leaves at 1:30 so I suggest
+that you get to the station at once and then
+go into the details of this case after you are on
+your way south.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thanks a lot,&rdquo; nodded Bob. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m on my way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good luck,&rdquo; said the clerk, who looked enviously
+after Bob, for after all there were not
+very many thrills in clerical work.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_41">[41]</div>
+<h2 id="c4"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter IV</span></span>
+<br />TULLY&rsquo;S CHALLENGE<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Tully Ross followed Bob into the elevator
+and they dropped toward the first floor.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;re taking the same train as
+far as Jacksonville,&rdquo; said Tully. &ldquo;What a pleasure
+that&rsquo;s going to be!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Tully&rsquo;s last words were sneering and vindictive,
+and a little of Bob&rsquo;s pent-up resentment burst out.
+Fortunately no one else was in the elevator at the
+time.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_42">[42]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;d better take inventory of yourself,
+Tully,&rdquo; advised Bob, &ldquo;or you&rsquo;re going to run
+head-on into trouble. I haven&rsquo;t got it in for you
+and you can take full credit for anything that you
+do. Don&rsquo;t be so blamed suspicious of everything.
+You do your work and I&rsquo;ll do mine. The main
+thing is going to be to solve this case and I don&rsquo;t
+care who does it just as long as we are successful.
+If you&rsquo;d only warm up a little we could go over
+this case on the way south this afternoon and we
+might have some ideas that we could both benefit
+by.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Tully looked suspicious.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What are you getting at?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>They were on the main floor again and passengers
+bound for the upper floors swept into the
+elevator.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll take a taxi together to the station and
+I&rsquo;ll tell you on the way there,&rdquo; said Bob.</p>
+<p>Tully had two smaller bags while Bob had only
+the large gladstone and they loaded the bags and
+themselves into a taxi and started for the union station.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m just trying to get at this,&rdquo; said Bob. &ldquo;Both
+of us have chances for brilliant futures in this service
+if we don&rsquo;t let personal rivalry warp our better
+judgment. That was a shabby trick of yours in
+giving that story to the newspapers and I rather
+think you hoped that I would be blamed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Tully was silent and Bob went on.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_43">[43]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m willing to let that pass and some other
+things that have happened if you feel that you&rsquo;re
+willing to work along with me on this case. The
+old saying that two heads are better than one is
+certainly true in this kind of work and we can
+both benefit by it. What do you say?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob&rsquo;s clear, blue eyes bored deep into Tully&rsquo;s
+brown ones and he held out his hand.</p>
+<p>Tully held Bob&rsquo;s gaze for a moment and then
+his eyes shifted uneasily. He made no motion to
+take Bob&rsquo;s proffered hand.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, if that&rsquo;s the way you feel about it, I&rsquo;m
+glad that we have had a definite understanding,&rdquo;
+said Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess that&rsquo;s the way it&rsquo;s got to be,&rdquo; said Tully
+slowly. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like you, Bob, and there&rsquo;s no use
+in making any bones about it. I&rsquo;m going to solve
+this case even if I have to step all over you in doing
+it.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_44">[44]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Tully, you just run along and do your
+best; but I&rsquo;m serving fair warning on you right
+now that if you try to step on any of my toes,
+you&rsquo;ll wish you hadn&rsquo;t. There&rsquo;s only one way to
+play this game and that&rsquo;s to play it fair and square.
+I&rsquo;m going to play it that way and I&rsquo;m going to win
+and nothing that you can do will stop me. If it is
+humanly possible that case will be solved within
+the next few weeks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Tully looked squarely at Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is that a challenge?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Call it anything you like.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then I say that you won&rsquo;t solve it in two
+months if you solve it at all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Two months it is,&rdquo; retorted Bob, &ldquo;and by that
+I mean that every angle of this case will be cleaned
+up and either all of the men connected with it in
+federal custody or beyond our reach and you can
+put that down in writing if you want to.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I won&rsquo;t do that,&rdquo; sneered Tully, &ldquo;for it might
+be too embarrassing to have to have it recalled
+when you fail.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to fail,&rdquo; said Bob firmly, and although
+Tully wouldn&rsquo;t have admitted it at the
+time, he had a premonition that Bob was right&mdash;that
+he would not fail.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_45">[45]</div>
+<h2 id="c5"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter V</span></span>
+<br />ON THE SOUTHERN LIMITED<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>The taxi pulled up in front of the union
+station and Bob and Tully, spurning the
+offers of red caps, carried their luggage
+into the huge structure.</p>
+<p>The great terminal was alive with activity and
+through the loud speaker system the departures of
+half a dozen famous trains were being announced.</p>
+<p>Bob&rsquo;s Gladstone was too heavy to carry very
+far without shifting it from hand to hand. When
+he reached the train shed he put the bag down beside
+him and opened the envelope in which his
+tickets had been placed. His Pullman reservation
+called for lower five in car 43 on train number 7,
+the Southern Limited. Tully paused beside Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you in car 43?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lower five,&rdquo; said Bob.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_46">[46]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Humph,&rdquo; grunted Tully. &ldquo;What luck I have.
+There must have been some mistake. I&rsquo;m in upper
+five.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I don&rsquo;t think there was any mistake,&rdquo;
+grinned Bob as he visualized how Tully, who was
+inclined to stoutness, would look scrambling in
+and out of upper five that night. &ldquo;Perhaps the
+clerk who made out these tickets thought you
+needed a little exercise.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Picking up their bags they walked to the nearest
+train gate where the ticket inspector checked
+their tickets and waved them toward the Southern
+Limited, which was standing on track number
+three.</p>
+<p>Car 43, in which they were to make their
+journey southward, was near the center of the
+train and by the time Bob and Tully were comfortably
+seated in the car, the porters were making
+their final calls of &ldquo;&rsquo;bo-o-oard.&rdquo; The Southern
+Limited started slowly but easily picked up speed
+as the trucks clicked over the joints.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_47">[47]</div>
+<p>Travel that day was light and there was only
+one other passenger on the car, a man who appeared
+to be about forty, short, dark, but marked
+with a distinguishing streak of grey in the center
+of his head. He was the type of man who, though
+he attracted attention, did not invite acquaintanceship.</p>
+<p>Tully continued to grumble at intervals, complaining
+that it was grossly unfair for Bob to have
+a lower berth while he was compelled to climb
+into an upper.</p>
+<p>But Bob ignored Tully&rsquo;s complaints. The train
+was soon speeding into Virginia and with the
+capital behind Bob took out the envelope with the
+history of the case they were working on. Since
+they were practically alone on the car it would
+be an ideal time to go over this material and memorize
+in detail all of the essential information contained
+in it.</p>
+<p>Tully likewise pulled out the heavy manila
+envelope which contained a copy of the same report
+Bob had in his hands but instead of reading
+it there Tully went forward into the smoking
+compartment. Bob knew that Tully did not
+smoke so it was obvious that Tully had gone forward
+simply to get away from him.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_48">[48]</div>
+<p>There were a dozen closely typed sheets in the
+report and they reviewed in detail all of the activities
+of the jewel smugglers which were known
+to the federal officials. As he read, Bob was astounded
+at the daring with which the smuggling
+was conducted.</p>
+<p>The reports indicated clearly that the headquarters
+for the smuggling operations must lie
+somewhere along the east coast of Florida and the
+names of both Nira and Atalissa appeared frequently
+in the typed reports. It was evident that
+at least half a dozen federal men, most of them
+in the customs service, had been working on
+the case at various times.</p>
+<p>There was one paragraph in their report that
+struck Bob with unusual force. It read:</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_49">[49]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;A conservative estimate of the amount of
+jewels which the gang has smuggled into this
+country in the last six months would be at least
+half a million dollars. There is no way of knowing
+just how extensive are their operations.
+Agents are especially warned to use great care in
+any approach to any members of this gang.
+Agents working on this case should go armed at
+all times. It is imperative that the men responsible
+for these operations be taken into custody
+at the earliest possible time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob read this paragraph several times and it
+brought home to him the possible dangers which
+he might face in the coming weeks.</p>
+<p>The other passenger in the car whose seat was
+behind Bob got up and went forward into the
+smoking compartment where Tully had gone
+previously.</p>
+<p>Bob looked up as the man went past him. The
+stranger was powerfully built and Bob especially
+noticed the breadth and strength of his hands.</p>
+<p>Bob thought little of the incident but hoped
+that Tully would have the good sense to put
+away the secret papers when the stranger entered
+the smoking compartment. As the train sped
+through the fertile Virginia farm lands the young
+federal agent continued his perusal of the report.</p>
+<p>The concluding paragraph was such that he
+read it three or four times.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_50">[50]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;From all information at hand, it appears obvious
+that not more than five men are involved
+in this smuggling enterprise. So far we have been
+unable to identify positively any member of the
+gang so all agents are doubly warned against any
+incautious remarks which might indicate the
+reason for their visit to Florida. In case of any
+unusual emergency notify headquarters by long
+distance telephone at once.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob went back over the report again in detail
+and, when he had finished, placed it in the
+sturdy envelope, sealed it, and put it in his Gladstone
+bag. He felt now that he knew as much
+about the case as it was possible to learn until he
+actually reached Atalissa.</p>
+<p>After a time Bob walked forward and stepped
+into the smoking compartment where Tully and
+the stranger were engaged in animated conversation.</p>
+<p>Tully looked up but there was little warmth in
+his glance. That, however, did not deter Bob
+from sitting down on one of the comfortable
+leather upholstered benches. The stranger looked
+at Bob and a rather pleasant smile framed his lips.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_51">[51]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Going to Florida?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jacksonville,&rdquo; said Bob laconically.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s fine, I&rsquo;m going there too. Hamsa, Joe
+Hamsa, is the name,&rdquo; said the stranger reaching
+over and extending his hand in greeting.</p>
+<p>Bob grasped the extended hand but he winced
+slightly at the strength of the other&rsquo;s grip.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m Bob Houston of Washington,&rdquo; replied
+Bob by way of introducing himself.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going south on business or just taking a vacation?&rdquo;
+asked Joe Hamsa and Bob thought there
+was a peculiar flicker in the other&rsquo;s eyes.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, it&rsquo;s a combination of both,&rdquo; replied
+Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wish I could say as much,&rdquo; went on Hamsa,
+&ldquo;but it&rsquo;s all business with me. I&rsquo;m glad you boys
+are on the car today. I don&rsquo;t like to travel alone
+and especially at night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob wondered just why Mr. Hamsa, who appeared
+perfectly capable of taking care of himself,
+did not care to travel alone. He was not in
+doubt long for Hamsa suddenly developed a voluble
+streak.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_52">[52]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Diamonds are my specialty,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and
+I&rsquo;ve been held up once or twice. Believe me,
+there&rsquo;s no fun in that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Hamsa did not look particularly like the
+type of man who would submit to a holdup
+peacefully, and there was something about him
+that aroused suspicions in Bob&rsquo;s mind.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent glanced across the
+compartment to where Tully was seated and he
+was surprised to note that the papers in the confidential
+report on the smuggling ring were
+scattered on the seat beside Tully.</p>
+<p>What was even more astounding was the pallor
+of Tully&rsquo;s face, and the glassy stare in his eyes.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tully,&rdquo; cried Bob, &ldquo;what&rsquo;s the matter?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But there was no response from Tully except a
+slight twitching of his lips which indicated that
+he might be trying to answer.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tully,&rdquo; repeated Bob, &ldquo;what&rsquo;s the matter?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sharp questions voiced by the young
+federal agent caused Hamsa also to turn and stare
+at Tully.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_53">[53]</div>
+<p>Bob was less than six feet away from Tully,
+yet the other failed to answer his questions or to
+give any sign of recognition. He sat there like a
+man under a hypnotic spell.</p>
+<p>Bob leaped to his feet and in one long stride
+was beside Tully. With firm hands he grasped
+Tully&rsquo;s shoulders and shook him vigorously.</p>
+<p>Tully&rsquo;s head dropped forward on his chest and
+he seemed suddenly to collapse, sliding forward
+off the leather bench and falling to the floor.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_54">[54]</div>
+<h2 id="c6"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter VI</span></span>
+<br />STRANGE EVENTS<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Tully&rsquo;s collapse came so suddenly that
+Bob was unable to check his fall to the
+floor, but he leaned down almost instantly
+and lifted Tully back on one of the benches.</p>
+<p>Bob&rsquo;s face was close to Tully&rsquo;s and he caught
+a whiff of an acrid smell on Tully&rsquo;s breath. His
+companion&rsquo;s breathing was slow and distinctly
+labored.</p>
+<p>Bob grasped one of Tully&rsquo;s wrists and checked
+the pulse beat. His knowledge of first aid was
+somewhat limited, but the steadiness of the pulse
+count reassured him and he decided that Tully
+had probably fallen victim to a sudden fainting
+attack.</p>
+<p>Joe Hamsa leaned over Bob and attempted to
+aid him in ministering to Tully.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Anything I can do?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_55">[55]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Get a cup of water,&rdquo; said Bob, and Hamsa
+hastened away to do his bidding. He was back
+soon with the paper cup brimming full of water.
+Bob moistened his handkerchief in this and bathed
+Tully&rsquo;s cheeks and forehead while Hamsa loosened
+his tie and collar, and massaged his wrists.</p>
+<p>Just then the Pullman conductor came into the
+compartment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s doing here?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>Bob answered without looking up.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think my companion suffered a fainting attack.
+Have you any smelling salts?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have some in my first aid kit up ahead,&rdquo; replied
+the conductor, departing to obtain it.</p>
+<p>He returned in less than a minute with the
+smelling salts and Bob gave Tully several deep
+sniffs from the pungent smelling bottle. The
+penetrating qualities of the salts seemed to reach
+Tully&rsquo;s subconscious mind and draw away the
+curtain which had clouded his consciousness. He
+made an effort to rouse himself but Bob speaking
+in a low voice forced him back on the leather
+bench.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_56">[56]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Take it easy, Tully,&rdquo; he advised. &ldquo;You&rsquo;ll
+feel stronger in a short time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Tully opened his eyes and stared at them. It
+was evident that he had no idea what had happened
+to him.</p>
+<p>Bob, who had been somewhat concerned when
+he saw the sheets of Tully&rsquo;s confidential report
+laying out in the open, now took time to look for
+them. They were still scattered on one of the
+leather benches and as far as Bob could determine
+they had not been disturbed. He reached out and
+with the sweep of one hand brushed them into a
+pile at one corner of the bench. Fortunately they
+had been turned face down, and Bob felt sure
+that there had been no opportunity for either
+Hamsa or the Pullman conductor to read the
+contents.</p>
+<p>Tully attempted to sit up and Bob&rsquo;s attention
+returned to his unfortunate traveling companion.
+Tully still appeared shaken but his eyes were
+clearer and once more there was a touch of color
+in his cheeks.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_57">[57]</div>
+<p>Tully signalled that he would like a drink of
+water and Hamsa hurried away to fill another
+paper cup from the tank in the vestibule. When
+he returned Tully took several deep draughts of
+the water and he appeared greatly refreshed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what happened,&rdquo; he mumbled,
+shaking his head slowly. &ldquo;My mind seems so
+heavy. I can&rsquo;t think.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Better take it easy for a while,&rdquo; advised Bob.
+&ldquo;Here, stretch out on this couch. I&rsquo;ll get the
+porter to bring you a blanket.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob stepped out and called the porter who was
+in the other end of the car, and, thus far, unaware
+that anything unusual had taken place in the
+smoking compartment. At Bob&rsquo;s instructions he
+brought a blanket and placed it over Tully. Then
+he brought in a pillow and the federal agent was
+made as comfortable as possible.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Want me to make up a berth?&rdquo; asked the
+porter, but Tully shook his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not now. I&rsquo;ll be all right here. Just let me
+rest.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_58">[58]</div>
+<p>Bob&rsquo;s keen eyes roved around the smoking
+compartment. The papers which had been in
+Tully&rsquo;s confidential envelope had been placed
+on the opposite couch, evidently by Hamsa or
+the Pullman conductor. Bob caught a quick
+glance from Tully and sensed that the other
+wanted the papers put away at once.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent stepped over to the
+leather couch, scooped up the sheets of typewritten
+paper, and placed them in the envelope.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thanks,&rdquo; said Tully, when Bob handed the
+package to him. He slipped the documents into
+an inner pocket of his coat, closed his eyes, and
+was soon in a deep sleep.</p>
+<p>This might have been alarming had not Tully&rsquo;s
+breathing been deep and natural and the color in
+his cheeks more normal.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think he&rsquo;s coming around all right,&rdquo; said
+Hamsa, who had remained in the smoking compartment.
+&ldquo;Looks to me like it might have been
+an attack of acute indigestion.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; agreed Bob, but for his own satisfaction
+he would have preferred to have a doctor
+examine Tully. He stepped outside into the corridor
+to speak to the Pullman conductor.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_59">[59]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you know if there is a doctor on the
+train?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe so. We&rsquo;re running light today
+but I&rsquo;ll find out; your friend any worse?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No. He&rsquo;s better, but I&rsquo;d like to find out just
+what happened to him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can wire ahead and have an ambulance meet
+us at the next division point,&rdquo; suggested the conductor.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe that will be necessary,&rdquo; replied
+Bob. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re anxious to get to Jacksonville
+on this train. However, I wish you would ascertain
+if there is a doctor aboard.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As the trainman hurried away, Bob stepped
+back into the smoking compartment. There was
+something definitely puzzling and disturbing
+about the sudden illness which had overtaken
+Tully, for the latter was usually in the best of
+health.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_60">[60]</div>
+<p>Bob thought back over the days of their association
+in the archives division of the War Department,
+trying to remember if Tully had ever
+been the subject of sudden fainting spells. As
+far as he could recall, nothing like this had occurred
+before, which did not make his mind rest
+any easier.</p>
+<p>Hamsa wandered out of the smoking compartment
+and Bob and Tully were alone. Half an
+hour slipped by and Tully remained in the deep
+sleep.</p>
+<p>The train had stopped once, a long halt for
+coal and water, and it was after it resumed motion
+that the Pullman conductor returned to the compartment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been all over the train, even into the day
+coaches ahead, and there isn&rsquo;t even a veterinarian
+aboard. Sure you don&rsquo;t want us to wire for an
+ambulance to meet you? We&rsquo;ll be in at the next
+division point in an hour and a half.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll let you know definitely a little later. If
+he doesn&rsquo;t rouse from this sleep, it may be necessary
+to do just that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Anything more I can do?&rdquo; asked the conductor,
+but Bob shook his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll stay here and watch him. If I need any
+help, I&rsquo;ll signal for the porter.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_61">[61]</div>
+<p>The curtains at the doorway swished down
+behind the departing figure of the conductor,
+leaving Bob and Tully alone once more.</p>
+<p>The afternoon was waning as the train sped
+southward, the steady clicking of the trucks
+underneath indicating that the Limited was doing
+at least a mile a minute. The roadbed was smooth
+and the high speed did not make the car ride uncomfortably.</p>
+<p>While Tully was asleep, Bob studied his companion&rsquo;s
+face. Tully&rsquo;s features were really remarkably
+strong and if he made an effort to look
+pleasant he would have been a handsome young
+man. But his lips were inclined to a perpetual
+downward curve that made it appear that a steady
+scowl was on his face.</p>
+<p>Bob would have enjoyed liking Tully, for
+there were many qualities in the other that were
+outstanding. For instance, Tully was sturdy and
+he had the power to drive steadily toward a goal
+once he set his ambition to that end. It was too
+bad that he let personal feelings creep into his
+work and sway his better judgment, such as challenging
+Bob to beat him to a solution of the jewel
+smuggling case.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_62">[62]</div>
+<p>Bob was a better than average judge of character
+and he knew that Tully would worry so
+much about what he was doing that Tully&rsquo;s own
+keen mind would be somewhat dulled on the
+case. For that reason Bob had not hesitated to
+take up the challenge.</p>
+<p>The Limited plunged into a short but heavy
+rain storm and drops of water streamed down the
+windows. It was not an especially auspicious beginning
+to their manhunt.</p>
+<p>Tully moved restlessly and Bob thought for
+a time that his companion was about to wake up,
+but Tully&rsquo;s breathing deepened once more and
+his eyes remained closed.</p>
+<p>Joe Hamsa stuck his head into the compartment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Any change?&rdquo; he asked, and Bob thought he
+appeared a little too solicitous for a passing acquaintance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think he&rsquo;s resting easier,&rdquo; replied Bob.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_63">[63]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you going to take him to a hospital?&rdquo;
+asked Hamsa, pressing Bob for further information
+on his plans.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t decided yet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me know if there is anything I can do,&rdquo;
+volunteered the other. It was apparent that he
+would have liked an invitation to stay in the room,
+but Bob turned toward the rain-washed windows
+and after a brief pause Hamsa dropped the curtain
+at the doorway and walked back into the
+Pullman.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_64">[64]</div>
+<h2 id="c7"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter VII</span></span>
+<br />THE MAN ON THE PLATFORM<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Tully remained in the deep sleep for another
+fifteen minutes. Then he stirred
+restlessly and Bob went over to his side.
+As he looked down Tully opened his eyes. They
+appeared clear and perfectly normal.</p>
+<p>Tully attempted to sit up, but Bob put his
+hands on his shoulders and gently pushed him
+back on the couch.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Take it easy for a while, Tully,&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What happened?&rdquo; the other demanded, and
+Bob noted that the words were slow and his
+speech thick.</p>
+<p>Then before he could answer, Tully grunted
+and made a face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get me some water, quick.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_65">[65]</div>
+<p>Bob hastened out into the corridor where he
+filled a paper cup to the brim. Tully drank every
+drop and signaled for another cup, which Bob
+procured immediately.</p>
+<p>When that was done, Tully appeared greatly
+refreshed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Help me prop this pillow up so I can sit up
+a little,&rdquo; he urged Bob, and he was soon in a more
+comfortable position.</p>
+<p>The rain still washed the windows of the car,
+and the porter, entering the compartment, turned
+on the top lights, for it was nearly dark.</p>
+<p>Before he spoke again Tully felt inside his
+coat and, reassured that the documents on the
+jewel smuggling case were there, he looked at
+Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t remember very much,&rdquo; he said slowly,
+&ldquo;but all of a sudden everything went dark. I
+felt that I was going to fall but I couldn&rsquo;t move.
+I couldn&rsquo;t even reach out my hands and neither
+could I say a word.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He paused and Bob felt that it would be well
+for him to explain what he had seen.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_66">[66]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;You looked like you were hypnotized,&rdquo; he
+explained. &ldquo;I came over and caught you, but you
+were out cold. Believe me, you had us worried
+for a while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Just then the Pullman conductor looked in.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Made up your mind about calling an ambulance
+at the division point?&rdquo; he asked. Then he
+saw Tully propped into a half-way sitting position
+and his face brightened.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Coming around now?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s feeling better. We&rsquo;ll go right on
+through to Jacksonville,&rdquo; said Bob and the conductor
+went on about his duties.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Didn&rsquo;t you think I&rsquo;d come around?&rdquo; asked
+Tully, a look of worry on his forehead.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t know just what was happening
+for a while,&rdquo; explained Bob. &ldquo;You had us pretty
+badly scared.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Tully looked thoughtful.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I honestly don&rsquo;t know what took place,&rdquo; he
+said, slowly shaking his head. &ldquo;It seemed as
+though blackness simply exploded in my face.
+Actually I believe there was some kind of a
+shock or blow on my face.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_67">[67]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what it could have been,&rdquo; replied
+Bob. &ldquo;Hamsa and I were the only ones
+with you and you had been visiting with Hamsa
+for some time before I came in.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a queer duck,&rdquo; muttered Tully. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t
+know whether I could like or trust him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob had exactly the same feeling and he was
+interested to know Tully&rsquo;s reaction to their
+traveling companion.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m still kind of sleepy. Guess I&rsquo;ll take another
+nap. You might tell the porter to make up
+my berth.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll have him fix up lower five for you,&rdquo; replied
+Bob. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll take the upper for you probably
+won&rsquo;t feel much like climbing in and out of a
+berth for the next few hours. Think you&rsquo;ll want
+anything to eat tonight?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps a little soup later,&rdquo; nodded Tully as
+he closed his eyes.</p>
+<p>Bob remained in the compartment for several
+minutes until he was sure that Tully was in a
+deep and comfortable sleep. Then he returned to
+the main section of the Pullman.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_68">[68]</div>
+<p>As he turned in the corridor and could look
+down the full length of the car he thought he
+caught just a glimpse of Hamsa dodging out the
+other end of the car.</p>
+<p>Only a few lights were on and Bob could not
+be sure that his eyes were not playing tricks on
+him. In any event he hastened his pace and when
+he reached the section which he and Tully occupied
+he drew his big Gladstone bag out from
+under one of the seats.</p>
+<p>Bob breathed easier when he saw the envelope
+which contained the confidential information on
+the smuggling was just where he had left it. It
+had been more than a little careless of him to leave
+such valuable data unprotected for so long a time.</p>
+<p>It was fully dark and Bob snapped on the individual
+lights in the berth and rang the buzzer
+for the porter, who appeared almost immediately.</p>
+<p>Bob instructed him to make up both the lower
+and upper berth.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going ahead into the diner. Let me know
+when you&rsquo;ve finished,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and also keep
+an eye on my friend in the smoking compartment.
+If he should wake up, inform me at once.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_69">[69]</div>
+<p>The rush to reach the train plus the exciting
+events of the afternoon had made Bob ravenously
+hungry and when he entered the dining car he
+splurged by ordering a large porterhouse steak
+and an extra order of French fried potatoes.</p>
+<p>The conductor had been right when he described
+travel on the Southern that night as light
+for there were only five others in the diner in
+addition to Bob. All of them were strangers,
+three of them being women and the other two
+rather elderly men who were engaged in an animated
+conversation on the economic problems of
+the day.</p>
+<p>Bob summoned the steward, explained that a
+companion was ill, and asked that a nourishing
+soup be prepared for him to take back to the Pullman
+when he returned.</p>
+<p>The steak, when it was brought in, was both
+thick and tender, and the potatoes were done
+just to the right crispness. It was a meal that Bob
+could thoroughly enjoy and he ate it in comparative
+leisure, relying on the Pullman porter to
+call him if Tully awakened.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_70">[70]</div>
+<p>The train slowed to a smooth halt in a North
+Carolina mill town and Bob looked out on the
+well lighted station platform. The rain was
+descending in torrents now and Bob knew
+that it might be hard to keep the Limited on
+the fast schedule which its time card demanded.</p>
+<p>It was evidently a service stop for the train
+remained at the station for at least ten minutes.
+Bob, watching from the windows, could see anyone
+on the platform and he was startled to catch
+a glimpse of a man hurrying along beside the
+train. He had just a glimpse, but the man, short
+and rather bulky, was making what appeared to
+Bob to be an obvious effort to avoid attracting
+attention for he was hugging the side of the train.
+He was clad in a dark oilskin and a soft hat, pulled
+well down, shielded his face.</p>
+<p>Bob pressed his own face against the glass and
+peered along the platform. Up ahead a brightly
+illuminated sign marked the telegraph office, and
+Bob saw the man hurry inside, but the distance
+was too great for him to see the other&rsquo;s face. In
+less than a minute the man reappeared, but he
+did not come back along the train.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_71">[71]</div>
+<p>Then the Limited plunged southward again,
+beating its way into the teeth of the storm, and
+Bob wondered if Joe Hamsa could have been
+the man on the platform.</p>
+<p>Bob finished his meal and after paying his bill
+went back into car 43 to see how Tully was getting
+along. He found him awake and ready for
+something to eat.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Soup would taste good,&rdquo; nodded Tully when
+Bob suggested it and the young federal agent returned
+to the diner at once. When he re-entered
+the car he saw Joe Hamsa seated at the far end
+of the diner and he was sure that he had not
+passed Hamsa either going or coming from car
+43. That meant that Hamsa had been up ahead
+some place.</p>
+<p>Bob thought the diamond salesman made a deliberate
+effort to avoid his eyes by staring intently
+through the storm-bathed windows of the car.
+The soup was ready and Bob followed a waiter
+who carried it back to the Pullman.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_72">[72]</div>
+<p>The train was traveling at a wild pace now and
+Bob almost lost his balance as he walked between
+the cars. As the anger of the storm deepened, he
+became more convinced than before that Joe
+Hamsa was the man he had seen on the station
+platform and there was something about the wildness
+of the night and Tully&rsquo;s sudden illness that
+caused grave apprehension in Bob&rsquo;s mind.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_73">[73]</div>
+<h2 id="c8"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter VIII</span></span>
+<br />TULLY&rsquo;S PAPERS VANISH<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>When Bob returned to the Pullman,
+Tully was obviously much refreshed
+from his deep sleep and he ate the
+soup with real relish. After he was through and
+the waiter had gone, Tully spoke to him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll appreciate it if you&rsquo;ll give me a hand
+down to the berth,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;My legs are still
+a little shaky, but I guess I&rsquo;m all right otherwise.
+A good night&rsquo;s sleep will put me back to normal.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob supported Tully and together they walked
+down to the berth which had been made up. Joe
+Hamsa was not in the car.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I still can&rsquo;t figure out what happened to me,&rdquo;
+said Tully, shaking his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are sure I wasn&rsquo;t struck over the head?&rdquo;
+he looked at Bob so sharply that Bob was inclined
+to laugh.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_74">[74]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t accuse me of doing a thing like that,&rdquo;
+he retorted, but there was no anger in his words.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But I tell you it felt like something struck my
+face. Then there was a blanket of darkness that
+settled over me and I couldn&rsquo;t move or say a
+word. It was a mighty helpless sort of feeling.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob agreed that there had been nothing pleasant
+about the experience and he helped Tully in
+getting undressed. Tully drew the letter with
+its confidential report on the smuggling ring out
+of an inner pocket.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This goes under my pillow,&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I thought it was kind of foolish for you to
+read it while Hamsa was in the smoking compartment
+with you,&rdquo; said Bob, and a flicker of
+anger glowed in Tully&rsquo;s eyes.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hamsa&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; he replied. &ldquo;You take
+care of your copy and I&rsquo;ll take care of mine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With that Tully pulled out the flap of the
+envelope and drew forth the closely typewritten
+pages which comprised the report.</p>
+<p>Bob saw a sudden, startled change in Tully&rsquo;s
+face, and he leaned closer.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_75">[75]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Bob,&rdquo; whispered the other. &ldquo;Look at these
+pages. Am I seeing things?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob picked up the handful of data and scanned
+the typewritten words. Even before he read the
+printing on the page he knew that something was
+wrong for the paper was thicker than that upon
+which his report had been written.</p>
+<p>But the real shock was when he read the first
+page. It was a recipe for making dill pickles.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a pickle recipe,&rdquo; gasped Bob.</p>
+<p>Tully nodded grimly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Look at the rest of them!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob skimmed through the pages, bending
+down to examine each one closely. Instead of
+the confidential data the pages were mimeographed
+recipes and Bob and Tully stared at
+each other in amazement.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My report&rsquo;s been stolen!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>It was Tully speaking and he sounded like a
+stricken man. Then he grasped Bob&rsquo;s shoulders.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t a trick you&rsquo;re playing on me?&rdquo; he
+demanded.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_76">[76]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be silly,&rdquo; said Bob firmly. &ldquo;That isn&rsquo;t
+my idea of a joke. We&rsquo;ve got to get busy now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob pressed the buzzer for the porter, who put
+in an almost immediate appearance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get the Pullman conductor here at once,&rdquo;
+he commanded.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sorry, boss, but he&rsquo;s eating supper up ahead.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get him,&rdquo; retorted Bob, and the manner in
+which he gave the order sent the porter scurrying
+up the aisle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How could this have happened?&rdquo; asked
+Tully, and from the heaviness of his voice Bob
+knew that his companion had not fully thrown
+off the effects of the attack which had overcome
+him that afternoon.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The secret of this is somewhere on the
+Limited,&rdquo; replied Bob. &ldquo;Only three people, in
+addition to myself, were in the compartment
+with you. One was the Pullman conductor, the
+other was Hamsa, and the third was the porter.
+I think we can rule out the porter for he was in
+there only once or twice. There&rsquo;s just a chance
+the conductor might have come back in while I
+was in the diner.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_77">[77]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;What motive would he have in taking such
+a report?&rdquo; Tully wanted to know and Bob confessed
+that there apparently was none.</p>
+<p>The conductor, evidently irritated at being
+called from his dinner, entered the car and hurried
+down to the section.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter?&rdquo; he asked crisply.</p>
+<p>Bob did not like the tone of his voice and he
+drew forth the little badge which identified him.
+The conductor&rsquo;s eyes widened in astonishment
+and there was an instant change in his attitude.
+He looked toward Tully significantly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Prisoner?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No. He&rsquo;s a federal agent like myself. Sometime
+after he was stricken this afternoon an envelope
+containing valuable information was taken
+from him and worthless papers substituted.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re not suspecting me of this, are you?&rdquo;
+asked the conductor and there was such pathetic
+anxiety in his voice that Bob felt that the man was
+innocent of any wrong doing.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_78">[78]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not suspecting or accusing anyone at
+present,&rdquo; replied Bob. &ldquo;I simply want to know
+if you saw anything unusual going on in this
+car at any time while I was in the diner and while
+my companion was asleep on the couch in the
+compartment ahead.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The conductor shook his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was through the car twice,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and
+the only one here was the man who had lower
+nine. The first time he was in his seat and the
+second time he was near the rear vestibule. He
+had on a slicker and had the upper part of the
+door open.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When was that?&rdquo; The question shot eagerly
+from Bob&rsquo;s lips.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just before our last stop at Atkinson where
+we took on coal and water,&rdquo; replied the conductor.
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t notice him again until up in the
+diner a few minutes ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The vestibule door was opened by someone
+while we were in Atkinson,&rdquo; put in the porter.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then lower nine&rsquo;s passenger must have taken
+a walk. Fine night for a thing like that,&rdquo; said
+the conductor. &ldquo;Come to think of it, I did see
+his slicker on another chair in the diner.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_79">[79]</div>
+<p>There was no question now but that Joe
+Hamsa had been the man Bob had seen on the
+station platform, and the suspicious feeling Bob
+had held toward him from the beginning was
+strengthened.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going forward to talk with Hamsa,&rdquo; he
+told Tully, and he started ahead through the
+train as fast as he could walk.</p>
+<p>When he reached the diner the steward was
+turning down the lights.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m looking for a dark, heavy-set fellow who
+was wearing a black slicker,&rdquo; said Bob. &ldquo;He belongs
+in car 43.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He left not more than two or three minutes
+ago,&rdquo; replied the steward. &ldquo;You should have met
+him, for he started back into the Pullmans.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob shook his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I just came from car 43 and he couldn&rsquo;t have
+passed me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He might have turned around and gone up
+into the coaches,&rdquo; said the steward. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been
+busy in the kitchen checking with the chef. You
+might look up ahead.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_80">[80]</div>
+<p>Bob went up into the day coaches and found
+the train conductor in the forward car. There
+were three day coaches on the train and the conductor
+was busy making out his reports.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent wasted no time in
+identifying himself.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a man aboard I want to question,&rdquo;
+he explained. &ldquo;He was in the diner a few minutes
+ago and after finishing his meal started back for
+the Pullmans. He belongs in lower nine of car
+43, but I&rsquo;m sure he didn&rsquo;t reach there. Get your
+brakeman out and search this train.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The small gold badge Bob displayed worked
+magic with the trainman and he summoned his
+brakeman. Bob gave them a brief description
+of Hamsa and they started back through the
+train.</p>
+<p>Every vestibule and every compartment was
+checked as the three worked methodically. They
+even looked into the kitchen on the dining car
+while the chef, a jolly negro, grinned at them.</p>
+<p>Back in car 43 they found the Pullman conductor
+standing watch beside Tully.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_81">[81]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no sign of Hamsa up ahead,&rdquo; said
+Bob. &ldquo;He didn&rsquo;t come this way?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No one&rsquo;s been through this car,&rdquo; replied the
+Pullman official firmly.</p>
+<p>Bob shook his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A man can&rsquo;t vanish on a train and we&rsquo;ve been
+running too fast for him to jump off. That would
+have been sheer suicide.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There were two more Pullmans and an observation
+lounge car behind car 43 and with the
+trainmen at his heels, Bob resumed the search.</p>
+<p>The next two cars were practically deserted
+and even in the observation lounge there were
+only five passengers in addition to the porter.
+They looked up with evident interest at the
+wholesale invasion of the trainmen and the grim
+intentness of the expression on Bob&rsquo;s face.</p>
+<p>But the observation car failed to yield any
+sign of Hamsa and Bob stepped out on the rain-lashed
+platform. The Limited whistled sharply
+and seconds later rumbled through a small village.
+Then the train was rushing through the desolate
+night once more.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_82">[82]</div>
+<p>The young federal agent turned and re-entered
+the car and the feeling of unrest which had
+gripped him ever since meeting Joe Hamsa
+deepened. There was something about the diamond
+salesman that sent shivers up and down
+Bob&rsquo;s spine.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That fellow&rsquo;s got to be on the train some
+place for we haven&rsquo;t even slowed up since we
+left Atkinson,&rdquo; said the train conductor. &ldquo;We&rsquo;d
+better look again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They started forward, once more examining
+every compartment aboard the train, and this
+time they even went into the baggage car, but
+the baggageman insisted that no one had been
+through his car.</p>
+<p>Back in the first day coach they stopped to
+take council.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid he&rsquo;s fallen off the train in some
+manner,&rdquo; said the train conductor. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re stopping
+in ten minutes at a junction and I&rsquo;ll send a
+wire back to division headquarters. They&rsquo;ll warn
+all trains over the road to watch for him.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_83">[83]</div>
+<p>Bob, however, doubted that Hamsa had fallen
+from the train for he felt that the diamond salesman
+was far too clever and cautious to be the
+victim of such an accident.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_84">[84]</div>
+<h2 id="c9"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter IX</span></span>
+<br />BOB GETS A WARNING<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>The young federal agent returned to car
+43 and related in detail to Tully the result
+of the search of the train.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t seem possible that Hamsa could be
+on the train, yet I am sure that he did not fall off,&rdquo;
+concluded Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve the same feeling,&rdquo; said Tully. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re
+sure you didn&rsquo;t miss any place?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We looked in every closet and compartment
+aboard the Limited,&rdquo; insisted Bob. &ldquo;We&rsquo;d have
+found even a fly if one had been aboard.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Tully was visibly downcast for he felt the loss
+of his confidential instructions keenly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hamsa is the only one who could have taken
+them,&rdquo; he said, half to himself.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_85">[85]</div>
+<p>Bob felt like telling Tully that he should have
+known better than to have opened and read them
+in the presence of anyone else, but he checked
+the impulse, and was glad that he had had the
+foresight to protect his own papers by placing
+them in his Gladstone bag.</p>
+<p>The train slowed to a stop at a lonely junction
+and Bob went to the vestibule where the porter
+opened the upper half of the door for him.</p>
+<p>The federal agent, peering ahead through the
+rain, saw the train conductor make a dash for
+the station where a night operator was on duty.
+The conductor ran back to the train just before
+the engineer &ldquo;whistled in&rdquo; the flagman and Bob
+knew that already a message was humming over
+the wires telling of the disappearance of Joe
+Hamsa, the diamond salesman.</p>
+<p>The porter closed the upper half of the door
+and Bob returned to the Pullman. The lights had
+been turned low and he looked in at Tully, who
+was dozing.</p>
+<p>Bob was too wide awake to think of sleep just
+then, and he went ahead to the smoking compartment,
+where the porter had left an evening paper.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_86">[86]</div>
+<p>Bob picked up the paper and scanned the headlines
+on the first page, but there was nothing recorded
+in the news there that drew his attention
+and he turned to the sports page, where football
+dope stories could be found plentifully, for Bob
+liked nothing better in the sports world than a
+good football game.</p>
+<p>The train conductor came in and sat down.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a bad night,&rdquo; he said, looking at the
+curtain of rain which swept the windows. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll
+be late getting into Jacksonville. A message at
+the junction back there gave us a lot of slow
+orders where the track is going bad ahead of us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The rain must be worse farther south,&rdquo; said
+Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s nearly a cloudburst in some places. I
+wouldn&rsquo;t be surprised if we find a bridge washed
+out and get hung up for hours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The conductor was silent for a minute. Then
+he added, &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t figure out where that fellow
+in lower nine went. Seems impossible that he
+could have fallen off the train, yet he isn&rsquo;t here.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_87">[87]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m just as puzzled as you are,&rdquo; admitted Bob,
+&ldquo;but I have a feeling that no harm has come to
+him. I sized him up as a fellow pretty well able
+to take care of himself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t recall seeing him,&rdquo; said the train conductor,
+&ldquo;for the Pullman conductor handles this
+end of the Limited. Well, I&rsquo;ve more reports to
+get ready.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He got to his feet and started for the door. The
+Limited lurched heavily and the conductor was
+thrown back against Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There we go!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;The track&rsquo;s gone
+out from under us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The car was weaving and lurching as the
+wheels screamed in the grip of powerful air
+brakes, but the rhythmic clack of the trucks told
+them they were still on the rails.</p>
+<p>The conductor hoisted himself to his feet and
+Bob followed him in a dash for the vestibule.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That blamed engineer almost shook us to
+pieces,&rdquo; groaned the conductor as he threw open
+the top half of the vestibule door and peered out.</p>
+<p>Bob, looking over his shoulder, could see a red
+glare that penetrated even the brilliance of the
+locomotive&rsquo;s headlight.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_88">[88]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Someone&rsquo;s swinging a fuse against us,&rdquo; said
+the conductor, buttoning up his slicker. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m
+going ahead.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob ran back into the Pullman and got his own
+coat. Tully, who was awake now, wanted to
+know what it was all about.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;An emergency stop of some kind,&rdquo; said Bob.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be back soon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>By the time he was back in the vestibule the
+Limited was grinding to a stop and Bob swung
+down behind the conductor, the two running
+ahead alongside the train as rapidly as they could
+in the darkness.</p>
+<p>The Southern had been flagged at a lonely way
+station where it seldom if ever made a stop, and
+the engineer, who was leaning from his cab,
+bawled lustily at them.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Find out what that hick agent means by
+flagging us down,&rdquo; he shouted. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got to
+get rolling again. We&rsquo;re 23 minutes late.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The agent, the red fuse still in his hands, came
+toward them and Bob caught a glimpse of a telegram
+in one hand.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_89">[89]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the idea of flagging us down?&rdquo; demanded
+the conductor. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to report you
+if you haven&rsquo;t a mighty good reason.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The agent&rsquo;s retort was sharp.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, quit your howling. I waved a fuse at you
+because I had orders from the super to stop this
+train and deliver a message to one of your passengers.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; bellowed the conductor. &ldquo;You
+had the nerve to stop the Southern just to deliver
+a telegram?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The agent shrugged. &ldquo;You heard me. Now
+I&rsquo;ve got to find this passenger and deliver the
+message.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Give it to me. I&rsquo;ll deliver it.&rdquo; The conductor
+reached for the telegram, but the agent backed
+away.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no you don&rsquo;t. I&rsquo;m going to deliver this
+in person and get the signature of the man I deliver
+it to.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hurry up there!&rdquo; It was the engineer, shouting
+at them above the noise of the storm and the
+air pumps on the locomotive.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_90">[90]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s the telegram for?&rdquo; asked the conductor.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bob Houston in lower five, car 43,&rdquo; replied
+the agent. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s get going.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right, I&rsquo;ll sign for the telegram,&rdquo;
+said Bob. &ldquo;My name is Houston and I&rsquo;m in lower
+five, car 43.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The agent looked suspiciously at him as
+though he had not expected anyone as youthful
+looking as Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got instructions to see a certain badge
+before I turn over this message,&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<p>Bob reached into his inner coat pocket, drew
+forth his billfold, and produced the badge.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; nodded the agent. &ldquo;Sign this
+slip.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He produced a pencil and Bob, writing in the
+light from the headlight, signed his name.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thanks,&rdquo; said the agent. Then he turned to
+the conductor. &ldquo;All right. Now you can tell
+that hoghead up there to pick up his wheels and
+get the string of varnished gondolas out of here.
+I want to go to sleep.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_91">[91]</div>
+<p>The conductor snorted, but he was too anxious
+to get back to his train to make a reply.</p>
+<p>The vestibule of the forward coach had been
+opened by the brakeman. They climbed aboard
+and the engineer whistled off the moment they
+were on the train.</p>
+<p>Bob looked at the damp envelope in his hands
+and suddenly he felt himself shaking slightly.
+For some reason the Southern Limited had been
+stopped at a lonely railroad outpost to deliver
+this message to him. That it was important there
+could be no doubt for he had been forced to
+identify himself before he could obtain the message.</p>
+<p>The coach was less than half full and Bob
+dropped down in the nearest seat and ripped open
+the telegram, looking first at the signature. It
+was from Waldo Edgar, chief of the division of
+investigation.</p>
+<p>Bob read the message quickly and thoroughly:</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_92">[92]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;This is to warn you that a man known as Joe
+Hamsa, traveling south with you on Limited, is
+now believed linked with gang we want. Watch
+Hamsa closely and take no chances with him as
+his record is a ruthless one. In view of this, contact
+Merritt Hughes and Condon Adams when
+you reach Jacksonville.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob read the telegram again, folded it carefully
+and placed it in an inside pocket with the
+feeling that even though Joe Hamsa had disappeared
+from the train, they would meet and that
+their meeting would not be far in the future.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_93">[93]</div>
+<h2 id="c10"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter X</span></span>
+<br />IN CAR 43<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob walked back through the Southern
+Limited with many things running
+through his mind. His suspicions concerning
+Joe Hamsa had been confirmed by the
+telegram in his pocket.</p>
+<p>The r&ocirc;le of diamond salesman was an ideal
+one for Hamsa to assume. In that capacity he
+would be able to go around the country selling
+the smuggled diamonds and if he appeared to be
+working for a legitimate firm of wholesale diamond
+merchants there was little doubt that he
+would go unmolested by the federal agents.</p>
+<p>Bob wondered just how the department had
+obtained the information on Hamsa which had
+led to the telegram to him. Perhaps his uncle
+would be able to enlighten him when he arrived
+in Jacksonville the next morning.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_94">[94]</div>
+<p>The young federal agent entered car 43 and
+stopped at lower five. He parted the curtains
+and looked down at Tully, who was sound asleep.
+Tully was breathing so deeply that Bob hesitated
+to awaken him and tell him about the message.
+If Tully was still asleep when Bob went
+to bed, there would still be time to awaken him.</p>
+<p>Bob went on back to lower nine, which Hamsa
+was to have occupied. There was nothing on the
+seats, but Bob caught a glimpse of a bag sticking
+from under the forward seat and he leaned down
+and pulled a small bag out.</p>
+<p>The case was of well worn brown leather securely
+fastened with two small but sturdy padlocks.
+There was something soft inside, but the
+leather was too thick for his fingers to ascertain
+just what the contents might be.</p>
+<p>The porter came through the car and stopped.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Haven&rsquo;t seen anything more of the man in
+lower nine?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>The Pullman employe shook his gray head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No sir, and I don&rsquo;t know whether to make up
+his berth.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_95">[95]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;You might as well save yourself work. I
+don&rsquo;t believe I&rsquo;d make it up,&rdquo; advised Bob, and
+the porter, deciding to accept the counsel, went
+on up the aisle.</p>
+<p>Bob walked back to the observation and lounge
+car. There was only one passenger who had not
+retired to his berth in the forward Pullmans. He
+was an elderly man, thin, but with an expression
+on his face which gave one a feeling of tremendous
+vitality. He was deeply engrossed in
+reading and Bob picked up a newspaper which
+had been brought aboard the train at one of the
+Carolina towns.</p>
+<p>But he found reading a difficult task. His mind
+was centered on the disappearance of Hamsa. It
+seemed absolutely incredible that a man could
+have vanished from a fast train while it was
+speeding through the night between stations.
+Yet apparently that was just what had taken
+place.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_96">[96]</div>
+<p>Bob knew there was an answer to the problem,
+and it was probably something ridiculously
+simple, but it evaded his every mental effort and
+he finally turned to the comic page of the newspaper
+for a chuckle or two at the antics of the
+comic characters.</p>
+<p>The other passenger in the car put down the
+magazine he had been reading and went forward
+to his berth in another car. Bob was alone in the
+observation lounge without even a trainman in
+the car.</p>
+<p>From up ahead the dismal hoot of the locomotive
+whistle drifted back and seconds later the
+car lurched as the trucks crashed over the frogs
+of a siding and the dimmed lights of a village
+drifted by in the storm. Then the train was in
+the heart of the desolate night once more.</p>
+<p>After the events of the afternoon, with Tully&rsquo;s
+sudden collapse and the disappearance of Hamsa,
+it was not a scene to inspire confidence in the
+heart of any young federal agent and Bob felt a
+queer chill running up and down his spine. Once
+or twice before, when sudden danger impended,
+he had had the same feeling.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_97">[97]</div>
+<p>Some premonition caused Bob to turn quickly
+toward the forward end of the observation car
+and his eyes riveted on a hand, extended around
+the edge of the corridor, which was groping for
+the switches controlling the lights inside the car.</p>
+<p>Bob was motionless, but for only a second.
+Then he leaped forward, his powerful legs driving
+him ahead as the groping hand finally found
+the switch and he saw the fingers tense as they
+started to move the lever downward which would
+plunge the car into darkness.</p>
+<p>A blanket of darkness engulfed the interior of
+the observation car and Bob heard the faint click
+of the switch. His body was hurtling forward
+with a momentum impossible to stop and he
+crashed almost headlong into the steel partition
+at the end of the car.</p>
+<p>Bob was dazed by the shock of the impact and
+he dropped to the floor, too bruised to move for
+a moment.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_98">[98]</div>
+<p>Then a finger of light sought him out. The
+tiny ray was almost blinding in its brilliance and
+the beam swept Bob&rsquo;s face as he struggled to get
+up. He was on his knees and facing the mysterious
+beam when there was a sharp blow on his
+face. The impact was not hard, but there was
+no mistaking that he had been struck.</p>
+<p>A sudden nausea swept Bob and he felt his
+power of control ebbing rapidly. He tried to
+cry out, but his tongue seemed to swell and stick
+in his mouth. His arms dropped at his sides and
+he felt his knees wobbling. In spite of everything
+he could do he collapsed on the floor of the observation
+car.</p>
+<p>The last thing Bob remembered was the thin
+beam of light which still sought him out with
+relentless steadiness and then a mocking laugh,
+heavy and daring, that might easily have come
+from the lips of Joe Hamsa had he been on the
+Southern Limited.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_99">[99]</div>
+<h2 id="c11"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XI</span></span>
+<br />DOUBLE DANGER<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob never knew just how long he was unconscious,
+but it must have been at least
+half an hour before his mind started to
+clear and he felt some one shaking his shoulders.</p>
+<p>His head pounded painfully and it was difficult
+for him to lift his heavy-lidded eyes. Some one
+moistened his lips and his tongue felt better. He
+tried to talk, but some one cut him short.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s coming around now. Lift him into a
+chair.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The command was obeyed and Bob felt himself
+being carried into a chair. Faintly he heard
+the steady clack of train trucks and he knew that
+he was still on the Southern Limited.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_100">[100]</div>
+<p>When his eyes finally focused and his blurred
+vision cleared he saw the train conductor leaning
+over him. A Pullman porter was just behind and
+in the background another trainman could be
+seen.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What happened?&rdquo; It was the voice of the
+train conductor.</p>
+<p>Bob shook his head. He was still too weak to
+answer that question, but his eyes shot toward
+the end of the car as though he half expected to
+see a hand move around the corner and grope
+for the light switch. In his ears the mocking laugh
+he had heard still echoed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Where are we?&rdquo; asked the young federal
+agent, and when the conductor answered Bob
+knew that the Limited was far behind its usual
+fast schedule into the southland.</p>
+<p>Bob looked sharply at the trainmen.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you seen anything of the man in lower
+nine in the last hour?&rdquo; The question was sharp
+and he saw the look of surprise that passed over
+their faces.</p>
+<p>Denials were quick and emphatic. Quite
+definitely they had not seen Joe Hamsa on the
+Limited.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_101">[101]</div>
+<p>Bob shook his head. That was strange for he
+was sure that it was Hamsa&rsquo;s voice he had heard
+in the car just before he lost consciousness.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tell us what happened,&rdquo; urged the train conductor,
+who was more than a little disturbed at
+the misfortunes which were befalling the passengers
+on the Limited that night. One federal agent
+had been taken suddenly ill, another passenger
+had disappeared, the train had been flagged down
+at a lonely station for a telegram, and now the
+second federal agent had been found unconscious
+in the observation car. It was, admitted the trainman,
+too much for him to untangle.</p>
+<p>Bob felt more like talking now, and he told
+his story briefly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I turned toward the forward end of the car
+just in time to see some one&rsquo;s hand groping
+around the corner for the light switch. I jumped
+for the switch, but the lights were snapped out
+before I could reach it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob paused for a moment, then went on.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_102">[102]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I crashed into the steel partition at the end of
+the lounge section of the car and fell down. Before
+I could get to my feet whoever had turned
+off the lights snapped on a small but very brilliant
+flash light and focused it on my eyes. Before I
+could get to my feet there was a sharp impact on
+my face. It was just as though some one had
+struck me a sharp blow. After that a wave of
+nausea swept over me and that was the last thing
+I remember until a few minutes ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The conductor&rsquo;s worry was reflected on his
+frank face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The flagman, coming back from the head end,
+found the car in darkness and when he turned on
+the lights he almost fell over you. I was pretty
+worried, but the porter told me that you acted
+like your friend this afternoon and I knew he
+was coming around all right so it wasn&rsquo;t as bad
+as it might have been.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just before I lost consciousness,&rdquo; went on
+Bob, &ldquo;I heard some one laugh and I would have
+sworn it was the voice of Hamsa, the man who
+has disappeared from lower nine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Couldn&rsquo;t have been,&rdquo; declared the conductor.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been all over the train and know he
+isn&rsquo;t aboard.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_103">[103]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Then who could have turned off the lights in
+this car?&rdquo; demanded Bob and the conductor
+shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be glad when we&rsquo;re at the end of the
+division,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This thing is getting my
+nerves. Next thing I&rsquo;ll be seeing ghosts. You fellows
+must have eaten some tainted food.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, that&rsquo;s out. Neither my companion nor I
+had a meal together before we got on this train
+this afternoon and he was taken ill before the
+evening meal was served in the diner.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; agreed the conductor. &ldquo;Well,
+you puzzle it out. I guess that&rsquo;s your profession.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob got to his feet. His legs were still a little
+shaky and the porter hurried away for more
+coffee. When it was brought Bob drank two
+more cups of the hot liquid, then he walked up
+and down the car several times.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you can rustle up a sandwich out of the
+diner, I&rsquo;ll feel better when I get some more food
+in my stomach,&rdquo; said Bob, and the porter went
+out to fill his request.</p>
+<p>The conductor turned to the flagman.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_104">[104]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t leave this car again, except when you
+have to get off to protect the back end at flag
+stops,&rdquo; he ordered. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want any more
+mysterious attacks on this train while I&rsquo;m in
+charge of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then he looked at Bob, who was still white
+around the lips.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Better get to bed and enjoy a few hours sleep,
+young man. You&rsquo;re starting to look like a fish
+that&rsquo;s been out of water too long.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m coming along all right,&rdquo; declared Bob.
+&ldquo;As soon as I have a sandwich I&rsquo;ll feel better.
+I&rsquo;m convinced that Hamsa is on this train some
+place and I&rsquo;m going to find him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The conductor stared at Bob as though he
+thought the young federal agent was mentally
+unbalanced. Then, shaking his head and muttering
+to himself, he started forward to continue his
+greatly interrupted work on his reports.</p>
+<p>The porter came back with a tray on which
+were two large, thick, meat sandwiches and a
+glass of milk and Bob sat down in the observation
+car to enjoy the late lunch.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_105">[105]</div>
+<p>The flagman, at the back end of the car, was
+inclined to be more talkative than the conductor.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everyone on the train&rsquo;s shaky tonight,&rdquo; he
+confided. &ldquo;We got a message we picked up on
+the run a few minutes ago and a fast freight that&rsquo;s
+been coming along right after us wasn&rsquo;t able to
+find any trace of Hamsa along the stretch of
+road where we know he disappeared.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How fast were we running along that section?&rdquo;
+asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never under fifty, and most of the time between
+fifty-five and sixty-five.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then a man wouldn&rsquo;t have much chance of
+jumping from the train without such serious injury
+that he would be unable to get away?&rdquo;
+pressed Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I should say he wouldn&rsquo;t. At the very least
+he would get a broken leg and he wouldn&rsquo;t be
+able to get far from the right-of-way in that condition.
+And remember that it&rsquo;s been storming
+hard ever since yesterday afternoon.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_106">[106]</div>
+<p>Bob knew that the trainman was right. It
+would have been almost sure suicide to have
+leaped from the speeding Limited and he was
+more convinced than ever that Hamsa was somewhere
+aboard the train.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been over every car from head to rear
+and back again,&rdquo; said Bob. &ldquo;Have you any idea
+where he could hide?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The flagman removed his cap and scratched his
+head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He didn&rsquo;t go through the baggage car?&rdquo; he
+asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; replied Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How about under the steps in the vestibules?
+Did you lift all of the traps?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob&rsquo;s startled expression was sufficient answer
+to the flagman, who got hastily to his feet.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, we didn&rsquo;t look under the traps,&rdquo; admitted
+Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then we&rsquo;d better get busy. We can do it
+alone, working ahead through each car.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The flagman started for the back end of the
+train, evidently intent on checking the trap doors
+on the observation platform when a sharp call
+from Bob stopped him.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_107">[107]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Hamsa isn&rsquo;t going to be an easy man to take
+if he&rsquo;s hiding under one of the traps. Wait until
+I can go forward and get a gun out of my bag.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll wait,&rdquo; agreed the flagman, who obviously
+had not thought that they might encounter armed
+resistance.</p>
+<p>Bob, running lightly, sped through the two
+forward Pullmans and into car forty-three. His
+own Gladstone was still under the berth in which
+Tully was sleeping so heavily.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent bent down and
+dragged it out. He knew just where he had put
+the gun and his hands sought it after he had
+opened the bag. But the weapon was not where
+Bob had placed it and a new feeling of anxiety
+gripped him.</p>
+<p>With desperate hands he rummaged through
+the bag. The gun and box of cartridges he had
+placed there were gone!</p>
+<p>Bob picked up the big bag and carried it to a
+berth further down the aisle where he snapped on
+the seat lights. Once more his hands ran through
+the clothing which filled the bag.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_108">[108]</div>
+<p>The revolver was gone, but the rifle he was
+taking south with him was intact, although the
+ammunition for it was missing. Some one had
+looted the bag and in doing so had left Bob defenseless
+against any armed attack.</p>
+<p>The discovery that his own bag had been
+searched so disturbed Bob that for a moment he
+forgot the important confidential papers on the
+smuggling case which he had placed there.</p>
+<p>When he recalled them, he started another
+search of the bag, turning clothes topsy-turvy in
+his search for the envelope and the precious information
+which it contained.</p>
+<p>Bob searched both sides of the Gladstone with
+a heart that grew heavier with apprehension as
+each second passed. There was no question now&mdash;his
+own confidential papers had been stolen.</p>
+<p>His hands went to the inner coat pocket where
+he had tucked the telegram warning them against
+Hamsa. When he drew them out his hands were
+empty. Even that message had disappeared and
+Bob knew then, without question, that Hamsa
+was somewhere on the train.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_109">[109]</div>
+<p>With the telegram from Washington in his
+possession and the knowledge that the federal
+agents were closing in on him, Hamsa would be
+doubly dangerous and Bob was unarmed.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_110">[110]</div>
+<h2 id="c12"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XII</span></span>
+<br />A NEW MYSTERY<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob sat in the berth for a time, thinking what
+to do next. He was certain that Hamsa
+was on the train and he knew that the
+other was capably armed, for he had Bob&rsquo;s own
+revolver and there was no question but that he
+would use the weapon if his hand was forced
+too far.</p>
+<p>Bob got up and walked back to lower five
+where Tully was in a deep sleep. His traveling
+companion&rsquo;s bag was in the rack above his berth
+and Bob reached in and pulled it out into the
+aisle, letting the heavy curtains fall back into
+place.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_111">[111]</div>
+<p>He went through the bag methodically, for
+Tully&rsquo;s gun should have been there. Bob
+searched every article in the bag twice, but the
+hunt was fruitless. There was no weapon there.
+Hamsa had done a thorough job of disarming the
+federal agents.</p>
+<p>Bob replaced Tully&rsquo;s bag and then returned
+to the observation car where the flagman was
+waiting for him. He spread his empty hands in
+an expressive gesture.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Some one&rsquo;s been through my bag and my
+gun&rsquo;s gone,&rdquo; said Bob. &ldquo;Whoever it was also
+went through the other agent&rsquo;s bag for he&rsquo;s been
+disarmed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The flagman&rsquo;s eyes narrowed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not so keen about going on with this
+search unless we&rsquo;re armed,&rdquo; he declared.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Any guns of any kind on the train?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The baggage man up ahead has one, but I
+don&rsquo;t suppose he would loan it to anyone.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no harm in trying,&rdquo; decided Bob,
+and he started forward through the train once
+more.</p>
+<p>The conductor was in the last coach forward
+and Bob quickly explained what had happened.
+The trainman went ahead and tapped on the
+door of the baggage car.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_112">[112]</div>
+<p>It was opened cautiously and the baggage man
+stuck his head out.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you want?&rdquo; he demanded gruffly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let us in,&rdquo; cried the conductor and they
+stepped into the baggage car as a curtain of rain
+swept down off the roof of the train.</p>
+<p>Bob displayed his badge and then told what
+he needed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t let you have my service gun,&rdquo; replied
+the baggage man, &ldquo;but I&rsquo;ve got a .22 target pistol
+I always carry along in my bag. You can have
+that if it will do you any good.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s pretty light. But it will be better than
+nothing,&rdquo; decided Bob as the baggage man obtained
+the weapon and handed it to him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The only clip of cartridges I have for it are
+in the gun,&rdquo; he explained, &ldquo;so be careful on the
+ammunition if you get in a tight place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob and the conductor returned to the forward
+coach.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Which end of the train are you going to
+start from?&rdquo; asked the conductor.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_113">[113]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll go back to the observation car and
+work forward,&rdquo; said Bob. &ldquo;The flagman is back
+there waiting for me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go with you. I want him to stay on the
+back end and protect us if we have to make a
+sudden stop. The track is getting soft and there&rsquo;s
+a fast freight that&rsquo;s pounding along after us too
+close for comfort. I don&rsquo;t want them piling
+into the back end of the Limited on a night like
+this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>It was late as they started back once more and
+most of the passengers in the day coaches, curled
+into grotesque attitudes on the seats, were asleep.
+In the Pullmans the solid rows of green curtains
+swung to and fro as the train sped southward.</p>
+<p>Bob thought of the possibility that Joe Hamsa
+might be hiding in one of the unoccupied berths,
+but he knew that the train crew had made a
+thorough search of each berth.</p>
+<p>Standing a lonely vigil in the observation car
+had done little to help the jumpy nerves of the
+flagman and he was obviously relieved when he
+found that the conductor had decided to help Bob
+in the search of the vestibule steps.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_114">[114]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Better turn down the lights in this car,&rdquo; advised
+the conductor. &ldquo;All of the passengers on
+the Pullmans are in bed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing doing,&rdquo; insisted the flagman. &ldquo;This
+is one night when I want plenty of light in this
+car and I&rsquo;d just as soon have plenty of company
+of the right kind. I thought I heard some one
+moving around several times.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve been reading too many mystery
+stories,&rdquo; jeered the conductor.</p>
+<p>Bob led the way to the rear platform of the
+train and they stepped out into the raw bluster of
+the night.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent took the target pistol
+out of his coat pocket and slipped the catch off
+the safety while the conductor focused the beam
+from his flash light on one of the traps in the floor
+of the vestibule.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_115">[115]</div>
+<p>The flagman, his foot poised to kick the catch,
+saw Bob nod and the next second the trap door
+swung upward as unseen springs provided the
+momentum. They stared down at the empty
+steps and the rays of the flash light, penetrating
+even beyond, showed the ends of the ties as they
+projected beyond the rain-swept ballast.</p>
+<p>Down went the trap door and the flagman
+turned to the other side of the platform. Bob
+felt his heart beating harder. Actually he hardly
+knew what he would do if the trap, flying upward,
+were to reveal the hunched figure of Joe
+Hamsa.</p>
+<p>The flagman kicked the release lever and the
+door sprung upward. Once more they stared at
+vacant steps and an endless row of marching ties.</p>
+<p>They returned to the observation car.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hope you have a nice party,&rdquo; grinned the
+flagman as Bob and the conductor started forward
+to continue the search of the vestibule steps.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Seems like kind of a foolish thing to do,&rdquo;
+grumbled the conductor.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That may be, but I&rsquo;m convinced that Hamsa
+is still aboard this train and the vestibule steps are
+the last place I can think of,&rdquo; retorted Bob.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_116">[116]</div>
+<p>Four more traps were opened without success
+and they walked through another Pullman.
+Finally they came to car 43, where Tully was
+sleeping soundly. Their search at one end of
+the car was without result and they walked
+down to lower five.</p>
+<p>One curtain in the berth seemed to be caught
+and pulled back inward. It was this which attracted
+Bob&rsquo;s attention and made him pause. He
+leaned over to adjust the curtain and just then
+the train lurched sharply and he was thrown into
+the berth.</p>
+<p>Bob attempted to brace himself and keep from
+falling on the sleeping Tully, but his efforts were
+without avail and he dropped rather heavily into
+the berth.</p>
+<p>Bob expected Tully to cry out, but there was
+no answer from the other young federal agent
+and Bob, struggling to his feet, parted the curtains
+and with the conductor peering over his
+shoulder, looked in.</p>
+<p>The bedding had been thrown carelessly to
+the back of the berth and Tully was missing!</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_117">[117]</div>
+<h2 id="c13"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XIII</span></span>
+<br />GOING ON<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob turned and stared at the conductor with
+unbelieving eyes.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s gone!&rdquo; said Bob mechanically.</p>
+<p>But it couldn&rsquo;t be possible for only a few minutes
+before he had looked in at Tully when he
+had examined the contents of his bag in the search
+for a weapon. Tully had been sleeping deeply
+but peacefully then.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Maybe he walked up ahead to get a drink,&rdquo;
+suggested the conductor. But there was little
+actual hope in his voice that this had happened.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get ahead and see if he&rsquo;s there,&rdquo; ordered Bob
+and the conductor hurried away.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_118">[118]</div>
+<p>Bob threw back the curtains in the berth and
+looked for some evidence of a struggle for he
+was convinced in his own mind that Tully had
+never left the berth of his own free will. For
+one thing Tully had been too ill to get up and do
+any walking on the train.</p>
+<p>The conductor returned promptly. There was
+no sign of Tully in the head end of the Pullman.</p>
+<p>Bob rummaged through the sheets and blankets
+on the bed and his hands suddenly came on something
+firm. He drew the object out of the bedding
+and gazed at it under the rays of the berth
+light which he had turned on. It was a leather
+covered blackjack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This spells trouble in capital letters,&rdquo; said Bob
+as he drew out a clean handkerchief and turned
+the blackjack over. &ldquo;Some one slugged Tully
+and then carried him out of his berth. This train
+is haunted.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m beginning to believe so myself,&rdquo; agreed
+the conductor. &ldquo;Who could have carried him
+away?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s only one answer to that&mdash;Hamsa,&rdquo;
+asserted Bob. &ldquo;What I want to know is what
+happened to Tully?&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_119">[119]</div>
+<p>The conductor shook his head in glum perplexity.
+Events were happening too swiftly for
+him to comprehend. First valuable papers had
+been stolen, then a gun, and a federal agent had
+disappeared from his berth. The trainman would
+welcome the end of the division and his run.</p>
+<p>The brakeman, coming back from the head
+end on his rounds, stopped in the Pullman.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;One of you fellows leave the vestibule door
+up ahead open?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; replied Bob sharply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, some one did. I closed it when I came
+along.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A look of apprehension flitted across Bob&rsquo;s
+face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Which vestibule was open?&rdquo; he demanded.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Left hand one on the car just ahead,&rdquo; replied
+the brakeman.</p>
+<p>Without further questioning, Bob dashed
+ahead, a mounting fear tugging at his heart.</p>
+<p>The conductor and brakeman followed him
+through the car and out into the vestibule where
+the steady clacking of the trucks beneath the
+Pullmans filled the air.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_120">[120]</div>
+<p>Bob stepped across the gap into the car ahead.
+There was a splotch of water on the steel floor
+of the vestibule where the wind had lashed the
+rain in while the door was open.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This the door that was open?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Right. I closed it less than a minute ago,&rdquo; replied
+the brakeman.</p>
+<p>Bob dropped down to his knees and examined
+the floor of the vestibule. At first there appeared
+to be nothing unusual there, but his sharp eyes
+finally caught sight of a small, dark spot. It
+was soft and fresh and he touched it with his
+fingers.</p>
+<p>Bob drew his hand back where the light was
+better and examined the dark marks on the tips
+of his fingers. From behind came an involuntary
+gasp from the brakeman.</p>
+<p>The dark spots on Bob&rsquo;s fingers were blood
+and the young federal agent looked up at the
+trainmen with eyes that were hard and piercing.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Stop this train!&rdquo; he ordered. &ldquo;Tully Ross has
+been thrown from the train. We&rsquo;ve got to go
+back.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_121">[121]</div>
+<p>The conductor was silent for a moment, staring
+at the dark stains on Bob&rsquo;s fingers. Then he shook
+his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We can&rsquo;t stop and go back. There&rsquo;s a fast
+freight following right behind us and they might
+ram us. We&rsquo;ll have to run to the nearest station
+with a night operator. Then we can get word
+back to division headquarters.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But we&rsquo;ve got to stop. He may be seriously
+injured.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The conductor looked at his watch. Just then
+the air brakes went on and streams of sparks flew
+from the wet trucks underneath.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re slowing down now for Robertson
+where we take on water. There&rsquo;s a night operator
+there. We can send a message back and get
+new orders.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The brakeman threw open the vestibule door
+on the right side and almost before the train came
+to a stop Bob and the conductor were running
+forward.</p>
+<p>When they reached the small station Bob dictated
+the message and the conductor told the operator
+to rush it through.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_122">[122]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;That freight&rsquo;s only ten miles up the line. It&rsquo;s
+at Quasqueton now. Maybe we can catch it,&rdquo;
+said the operator.</p>
+<p>Bob nodded and the operator pounded his key
+hard with a desperate call for the night man at
+Quasqueton. It seemed ages before there was an
+answer. Actually the Quesqueton operator answered
+in less than a minute.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hold the freight,&rdquo; snapped back the operator
+beside Bob, and just then the dispatcher at division
+headquarters chimed in and wanted to
+know what it was all about.</p>
+<p>The story was snapped over the wires as the
+bent fingers of the operator at Robertson tapped
+out the facts. The answer from the dispatcher
+came sharply, first a message to the freight.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To enginemen and trainmen of extra X703
+South. Use all precautions in moving from Quasqueton
+to Robertson to find federal agent believed
+thrown from Southern Limited. Report immediately
+upon arrival at Robertson.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_123">[123]</div>
+<p>That message was followed by one to the Limited
+to proceed. The night operator copied this
+quickly and handed the thin tissues to the conductor,
+who was buttoning up his coat before
+going back into the desolation of that wild night.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going on with us, or will you stay here and
+wait for the freight to come through and report?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob hesitated. If he remained at the lonely
+station he would have first hand information if
+Tully was found by the freight crew. On the
+other hand, he was convinced that Joe Hamsa
+was still aboard the Southern Limited and that
+he had on his person the confidential documents
+on the smuggling ring which had been stolen
+from Tully and Bob.</p>
+<p>The decision was made quickly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going on the Limited. What&rsquo;s our next
+stop?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The conductor named a junction thirty miles
+down the line.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Will the freight be in here by the time we
+reach the junction?&rdquo; Bob asked the night operator.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_124">[124]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;It will at the rate the Limited is running tonight,&rdquo;
+replied the operator. &ldquo;Quasqueton is reporting
+the freight out right now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s go,&rdquo; called the conductor.</p>
+<p>The trainman hurried outside and Bob banged
+the door after him. The federal agent went back
+to the Pullmans while the conductor ran forward
+with the orders for the engineer. A minute later
+the Limited hooted shrilly and once more started
+southward.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_125">[125]</div>
+<h2 id="c14"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XIV</span></span>
+<br />THE LIGHTS GO OUT<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Back in the Pullman from which Tully had
+vanished Bob took off the coat which had
+protected him from the storm. He sat
+down opposite the berth and carefully examined
+the target revolver. An eerie feeling ran along
+his spine. He felt as though some one was watching
+him and he turned and scanned the windows
+of the Pullman. But that was impossible for the
+Limited was already running better than thirty
+miles an hour and no one could possibly have
+clung to the side of the train.</p>
+<p>The conductor came back through.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to finish that search,&rdquo; declared Bob,
+and the trainman, without further comment,
+joined him.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_126">[126]</div>
+<p>Working together and moving cautiously, they
+raised up the trap door on every vestibule clear
+up to the baggage car. There was no one hidden
+on the steps.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If there was ever anyone there, he got off
+at Robertson,&rdquo; said the conductor.</p>
+<p>But Bob shook his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think so,&rdquo; he said firmly. &ldquo;What
+would a man stop there for? It&rsquo;s miles from any
+other town, and there are no good highways
+nearby to make a get-away in a car.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Maybe you&rsquo;re right, but there&rsquo;s no one on
+this train.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob wasn&rsquo;t so sure. A crafty man such as
+Hamsa had shown himself to be could have
+moved to the shelter of one of the rear vestibules
+while the Limited was standing at Robertson
+for Bob had checked these vestibules before the
+train stopped there.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to work from the front to the
+back,&rdquo; declared Bob, and the conductor looked
+at him suspiciously as though thinking that the
+strain of the night might have unbalanced Bob.
+But he went along without complaint when the
+federal agent started the hunt again.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_127">[127]</div>
+<p>Car by car they inspected the train. The small
+dark spot they had found in one vestibule had
+dried and Bob didn&rsquo;t dare think what might have
+happened to Tully. While there was no love
+lost between them, Bob had no desire to see any
+harm come to the other.</p>
+<p>As they entered the observation car, the Limited
+started slowing down.</p>
+<p>The conductor, pressing his face against one
+of the rain-washed panes of glass, peered ahead.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Junction showing now,&rdquo; he said as Bob
+stepped in after inspecting the trap doors on the
+observation platform.</p>
+<p>A red lantern was being swung at the junction
+platform and the minute the Limited drew to a
+halt beside the cinder platform Bob and the trainman
+started running forward.</p>
+<p>A night operator, swathed in a heavy storm
+coat, greeted them.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Message from Robertson for Bob Houston,&rdquo;
+he told the conductor. &ldquo;Fine thing to make a man
+deliver telegrams at this time of night.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_128">[128]</div>
+<p>The conductor didn&rsquo;t bother to answer the operator&rsquo;s
+complaint but handed the message to
+Bob, who tore open the envelope and read the
+brief message inside.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Man you reported missing found by freight
+crew. Has cut on head and is bruised. Otherwise
+appears okay. Proceeding on to junction aboard
+freight.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob breathed a sigh of relief for he was honestly
+glad to know that no serious harm had befallen
+Tully.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you going on with us or will you stay
+here?&rdquo; asked the conductor.</p>
+<p>Bob hesitated for only a moment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going on,&rdquo; he decided, for he knew that
+Tully would be placed in good hands by the railroad
+people and could proceed on alone to his
+assignment as soon as he felt well enough. In
+the meantime, Bob was still convinced that Joe
+Hamsa was somewhere aboard the Limited for he
+knew that Hamsa&rsquo;s destination, like his own, was
+somewhere along the east coast of Florida and
+he felt sure that Hamsa would lose no time in attempting
+to reach it. In view of that, Bob felt
+the gangster would continue on the Limited.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_129">[129]</div>
+<p>Two short, impatient blasts sounded up ahead
+and the Limited jerked into motion as Bob and
+the conductor swung back onto the train.</p>
+<p>Bob had the borrowed revolver in one hand
+and as he swung up after the conductor one hand
+slipped on the wet handrail and he nearly fell. To
+save himself he grasped the railing with the other
+hand and dropped the gun just as the Limited
+rolled over a small culvert. It was impossible to
+stop and retrieve the gun and Bob was unarmed
+for a second time that night.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess the fellow you&rsquo;re hunting has disappeared
+for good,&rdquo; said the conductor as he lowered
+the trap in the vestibule.</p>
+<p>Bob, shaking the rain off his coat, nodded
+absent-mindedly and the trainman went forward
+while Bob returned to the Pullman. A queer feeling
+went through his body as he walked down
+the silent car. It was from this car that their confidential
+documents had disappeared and it was
+from the very berth that Bob had intended occupying
+that Tully had vanished.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_130">[130]</div>
+<p>The porter was evidently keeping as far away
+from the car as possible for he failed to answer
+Bob&rsquo;s summons. However, a berth farther down
+the car had been made up and Bob decided to
+slip off his shoes and lie down there to rest.</p>
+<p>With a little relaxation he might be able to
+think better; perhaps even to unravel all of the
+strange events which had taken place on the train
+since it had left Washington.</p>
+<p>The Limited sped southward steadily and the
+clicking of the trucks soon lulled Bob to sleep in
+spite of his efforts to keep awake.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent had no idea how long
+he had been asleep when he awoke suddenly with
+the breathless blackness of the car all around him.
+He rallied his thoughts.</p>
+<p>The lights in the car had been on the last he
+could remember, for he had not drawn the curtains
+of his berth.</p>
+<p>Bob sat upright in the berth and waited. The
+trucks were still echoing the pace of the train
+and Bob thought that the porter might have
+snapped the wrong switch.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_131">[131]</div>
+<p>Then he heard a movement down the aisle and
+knew instantly that some one was in the car.</p>
+<p>Could it be Hamsa? That was the first question
+that flashed through Bob&rsquo;s mind.</p>
+<p>The federal agent gathered his feet beneath
+him. There wasn&rsquo;t even time for him to grope
+under the berth in quest of his shoes for he could
+hear the stealthy approach of the intruder.</p>
+<p>Bob strained his eyes in an effort to detect
+the movement of the marauder but the darkness
+of the car was too dense. He could only wait,
+but he felt that he had an advantage now, for
+he would be able to take the other by surprise.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_132">[132]</div>
+<h2 id="c15"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XV</span></span>
+<br />IN THE AISLE<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>The Limited heeled sharply as it struck a
+curve and the whistle moaned a warning
+through the wetness of the night. A
+street light flickered by and in the flash of light
+that penetrated the car Bob caught a fleeting
+glimpse of a man in the aisle. The figure of the
+intruder was heavy and he was hunched forward.
+There had been no chance to recognize
+the face, but Bob was sure now that the other
+man in the car was Hamsa.</p>
+<p>Another street light shot a beam through the
+windows and it played squarely on the face of
+the man in the aisle. It was Hamsa!</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_133">[133]</div>
+<p>Bob felt in his coat pockets for something to
+defend himself and his groping hands came on
+the blackjack which Hamsa had used on Tully.
+There was the grim hint of a smile on Bob&rsquo;s lips
+as he slipped his right hand through the leather
+thong on the leaden slug. He now had both an
+effective and dangerous weapon and he knew he
+would be justified in using it.</p>
+<p>Once more there came the streak of light in
+the car as the Limited roared over another crossing
+and Bob saw that Hamsa was nearer, almost
+at the head of the berth.</p>
+<p>With his muscles tense and his whole body
+balanced, Bob waited for another flash of light
+from the street which would give him an opportunity
+to strike down the intruder. Then the
+clatter of the trucks over switch points told him
+the train was out of the village. Whatever happened
+from that point on would probably be in
+utter darkness unless the porter happened to
+come back into the car and turn on the lights.</p>
+<p>The Limited settled down to its steady stride
+again and Bob, tense and crouching waited. His
+breath was coming in short jerks and he was afraid
+that his heart was pounding so hard its beats
+would be audible to the other who was intent
+on catching him by surprise in the darkened berth.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_134">[134]</div>
+<p>By straining his eyes Bob finally made out the
+approaching shadow that was Hamsa. He drew
+back his right arm and waited.</p>
+<p>Hamsa came nearer, treading cautiously lest
+he alarm the youth he believed was sleeping
+soundly in the berth.</p>
+<p>Suddenly a beam of light shot out from Hamsa&rsquo;s
+hand as he turned on a flash light, but the
+rays fell only on the rumpled bedclothes.</p>
+<p>Bob heard a smothered exclamation from the
+other and before Hamsa could swing the beam of
+the flash light around in search of him he struck
+forth with the blackjack.</p>
+<p>Just as Bob swung the weapon the trucks hit
+a sag in the track and the young federal agent
+was thrown partially off balance. He had aimed
+at Hamsa&rsquo;s head, and although his blow missed
+that the weapon crashed down on his shoulder
+and Bob heard a sharp cry of pain.</p>
+<p>He jerked back the weapon and struck again
+and again. Each time he heard a cry of pain and
+then the flash light thudded to the floor and its
+beam went out.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_135">[135]</div>
+<p>They went at it hand to hand then, Hamsa
+wresting the blackjack away from Bob and hurling
+it to the far end of the car. The other man
+was much older and twice as heavy as Bob, but
+he was not as lithe and his fists could not move as
+rapidly.</p>
+<p>It was a bitter struggle there in the narrow,
+darkened aisle of the Pullman. Hamsa kicked out
+viciously and the blow caught Bob in the stomach.
+He felt sick all over and dropped into the
+aisle, crouching there and seeking temporary shelter
+until he felt able to resume the battle.</p>
+<p>Hamsa bent down and searched for the flash
+light and Bob lashed out at him with one foot.
+The blow caught the other in the face and was
+answered by a startled exclamation of pain and
+rage.</p>
+<p>Then Bob&rsquo;s own hands came upon the flash
+light. He picked it up and his fingers sought the
+little button which controlled its beam of light.
+Bob turned on the light and the rays swept down
+the aisle, coming to rest on the battered face of
+Hamsa.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_136">[136]</div>
+<p>It was not until then that Bob realized how
+powerful had been his own blows for it was
+obvious that his assailant was in distress. Now
+if he could land a real knockout he would be able
+to leave Hamsa long enough to summon assistance
+from the trainmen.</p>
+<p>Bob started down the aisle, but pulled up short
+when Hamsa drew a gun from his coat pocket.
+The young federal agent, unarmed, was in no
+position to face a man with a gun and he tried
+to duck behind a seat. But Hamsa fired a snap
+shot and the flash light, shattered by the bullet,
+dropped out of Bob&rsquo;s numbed hand.</p>
+<p>The tables had been turned. Where Bob had
+held the advantage a moment before with the
+flash light, Hamsa, aided by the darkness and
+his gun, was in a position to win.</p>
+<p>But he had evidently had enough of hand to
+hand encounters for one night and Bob heard
+him running toward the rear of the car. A moment
+later the door of the Pullman slammed shut.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_137">[137]</div>
+<p>Bob stepped out into the aisle and massaged his
+right hand. It prickled sharply as the blood
+flowed back into the fingers which had been
+bruised by the flash light as the bullet had torn
+it out of his hands.</p>
+<p>Then Bob took up the chase, for he felt sure
+that Hamsa must be seeking his hideout on the
+train. If he could trace him to it, he would summon
+the trainmen to assist in the capture.</p>
+<p>Bob stepped cautiously into the rear vestibule
+of the car. There was no one there and the door
+to the next Pullman was open. He hastened inside
+and met a startled porter in the aisle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did a man just go down the aisle?&rdquo; asked
+Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir, Boss, and he looked like he&rsquo;d been
+in a fight.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the fellow I&rsquo;m after,&rdquo; said Bob. &ldquo;Run
+up ahead and get the conductor and any other
+trainmen you can. Tell them to get back here as
+fast as they can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then Bob hastened down the aisle and the
+porter, willing enough to leave the car, went forward
+to carry out Bob&rsquo;s instructions.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_138">[138]</div>
+<p>The young federal agent hastened through a
+second Pullman where the lights were low and
+finally stepped into the observation car. So far
+there had been no trace of Hamsa and no indication
+that he had sought shelter under one of the
+trap doors in the vestibules.</p>
+<p>Bob entered the observation car cautiously.
+The lights had been turned down and he stopped
+at the head end of the car and snapped on all of
+the switches, a torrent of light illuminating the
+interior of the car. Even the observation platform
+at the back end leaped into view as a special
+light out there came on under the magic touch of
+the switches.</p>
+<p>Bob stared hard at the back of the car. The
+door to the observation platform was open but
+beyond that he could see a man&rsquo;s legs dangling,
+apparently in midair. Bob threw caution aside
+then and raced toward the half open door at the
+rear of the car. The legs were being drawn upward,
+twisting and kicking as the man attempted
+to pull himself onto the roof of the observation
+car. This then was Hamsa&rsquo;s hiding place&mdash;on
+the roof of the rear car of the train!</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_139">[139]</div>
+<h2 id="c16"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XVI</span></span>
+<br />FIGHTING FOR LIFE<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob leaped through the door and grabbed at
+Hamsa&rsquo;s legs. The other man kicked viciously,
+but Bob wrapped his arms around
+the legs and hung on. Once he had a good grip,
+he started pulling the other man down.</p>
+<p>Hamsa was big and he was powerful, but the
+steady pull from below weakened his grip on
+the steep rungs of the ladder which led to the
+top of the car and Bob could feel himself gaining.
+In less than a minute the other man would be
+down on the platform beside him and by that time
+the trainmen should be on hand to help him subdue
+Hamsa.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_140">[140]</div>
+<p>There was a strange exultation in Bob&rsquo;s heart
+for he felt sure now that he was about to make
+the first capture in what he felt was to be the
+clean-up of the international gang of smugglers.
+It made little difference whether Hamsa had
+been trailing them south or whether they had encountered
+each other by accident. The message
+from Washington had indicated that Hamsa was
+deeply involved and Bob was determined to make
+the capture.</p>
+<p>The steady pull Bob put on Hamsa&rsquo;s legs and
+the tightness of his grasp was relentless. Slowly
+the other man was weakening and Bob braced
+himself and prepared to release Hamsa&rsquo;s legs and
+cut loose with a half dozen hard punches when
+the other man finally dropped to the observation
+platform.</p>
+<p>There was a commotion at the head end of the
+car and Bob shifted his head just enough to see
+the train conductor and brakeman, followed by
+a wide-eyed Pullman porter, hurry in.</p>
+<p>Hamsa kicked convulsively with his legs, but
+Bob tightened his grasp. Then, without warning,
+without giving Bob a chance to get set,
+Hamsa suddenly released his hold and dropped.
+It all happened so quickly that Bob later found it
+a little hard to remember just what took place.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_141">[141]</div>
+<p>On the split second while he was dropping to
+the observation platform, Hamsa must have seen
+the trainmen charging down the aisle of the car,
+for when he landed, he was a bundle of tremendous
+energy that seemed to explode in Bob&rsquo;s
+face.</p>
+<p>Great, bear-like arms wrapped themselves
+around Bob and the young federal agent felt
+himself being lifted upward. For a moment he
+was helpless, too surprised even to attempt to
+struggle, but a sharp cry from behind him caused
+him to try to strike out with his feet for beneath
+came the sudden rumble of the trucks on a trestle
+and he knew that Hamsa, in a last desperate effort,
+was attempting to hurl him from the rear
+platform of the train.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent wrapped his own arms
+around Hamsa and clung to him desperately.
+If Bob went, Hamsa would go with him. Of that
+he was certain. The rail of the platform struck
+Bob&rsquo;s hips and he felt himself being forced backward.
+It was sickening to hear the rumble of the
+trestle beneath and a flood of rain beat down on
+his face, drenching the upper half of his body.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_142">[142]</div>
+<p>Then Hamsa gave one last, tremendous shove
+and Bob knew that he was going over the edge
+of the railing, but Hamsa was going with him.
+The speed of the Limited had slackened, but it
+was still doing at least twenty miles an hour when
+Bob and Hamsa, locked arm in arm, went over
+the rear platform. Bob closed his eyes for the
+shock of striking the trestle would be terrific.
+If he could only remain on the bridge there would
+be some chance of rescue for the trainmen had
+seen them go over the back end and would hurry
+back in a searching party.</p>
+<p>As they left the train, Bob managed to get one
+last twist with his toes and as they fell, he was
+on top. The drop from the train to the trestle
+seemed endless. The clatter of the train trucks
+had dimmed, but a whistle up ahead was blaring
+an alarm.</p>
+<p>Then they struck the trestle&mdash;struck it hard
+and rolled over once. The fall dazed Bob, but
+through his foggy mind he could hear the rush
+of water somewhere below.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_143">[143]</div>
+<p>Hamsa had rolled away from him but it was
+too dark to see just where and Bob clung to the
+wet steel of one of the rails. He was too weak
+and shaken to think of attempting to get to his
+feet and back of him he could hear the shriek of
+the air brakes as they clamped down on the
+wheels of the Limited and brought the Southern
+to an emergency stop just beyond the edge of
+the long trestle.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_144">[144]</div>
+<h2 id="c17"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XVII</span></span>
+<br />INTO ANGRY WATERS<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob ached in every muscle and he wondered,
+as he lay there on the trestle with the rain
+beating down on him, if the dangers of
+being a federal agent were worth the rewards.
+Then he swept that thought aside. Of course it
+was worth it, for he was on the side of right
+and honor&mdash;a side for which many a sacrifice
+could be willingly made.</p>
+<p>As he lay on the bridge, trying to rally his
+senses and waiting for enough strength to flow
+back through his body to enable him to sit up,
+Bob&rsquo;s eyes became more accustomed to the rain
+and the night. He tried to pick out the form of
+Hamsa, who must be close to him, for the other
+man had been underneath when they fell. The
+shock had been severe enough for Bob and he
+wondered if the other had been seriously injured.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_145">[145]</div>
+<p>Finally Bob&rsquo;s straining eyes picked out the
+form of the other man. He was some feet away
+and beyond the outside rail of the trestle&mdash;on the
+very edge of the bridge where a false move would
+plunge him into the rushing waters below.</p>
+<p>Bob tried to move, but he was still too weak
+and Hamsa was a dozen feet away. He wanted
+to reach him and pull him away from the edge.</p>
+<p>Someone at the end of the bridge was shouting
+and Bob turned his head to see a group of trainmen,
+lanterns in their hands, making their way
+out on the long trestle. They were coming cautiously
+for the long rain had made the timbers
+slippery and treacherous.</p>
+<p>As the trainmen moved out on the bridge,
+Bob&rsquo;s eyes went back to Hamsa. To his surprise
+the other man was moving, struggling to sit up,
+and Bob called out a warning.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t move, Hamsa!&rdquo; he ordered. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re
+under arrest. Stay where you are or you&rsquo;ll fall
+off the bridge.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_146">[146]</div>
+<p>There was no reply from the other, but he continued
+his struggle to sit up and Bob tried to drag
+himself closer to the man he had placed under
+arrest. There was no strength left in his own
+arms or legs and he could go only a foot or
+two.</p>
+<p>The glow from the lanterns of the approaching
+trainmen now penetrated the blackness and Bob
+could see Hamsa&rsquo;s face turned toward him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re clever, Kid,&rdquo; growled the other, &ldquo;but
+you&rsquo;re not going to arrest me this time. I&rsquo;ll see
+you later and when I do, watch out!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then the other turned and deliberately rolled
+to the edge of the trestle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hamsa, you&rsquo;re under arrest!&rdquo; cried Bob. But
+he knew the words were futile for the only reply
+was a mocking laugh. Then Hamsa disappeared
+over the edge and seconds later there was the dull
+splash of a heavy body striking the water. Bob
+thought he heard the mocking laugh once more,
+but he couldn&rsquo;t be sure.</p>
+<p>Then the trainmen, led by the conductor,
+reached the scene.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Where&rsquo;s the other fellow?&rdquo; demanded the
+conductor.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_147">[147]</div>
+<p>Bob pointed to the darkness below.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He just rolled over the edge,&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<p>The startled conductor went to the edge of
+the trestle and swung his lantern over the side,
+but only the rush of dark waters could be seen.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the last you&rsquo;ll see of him,&rdquo; he said.
+&ldquo;This stream is on a rampage and only a powerful
+man could get to shore.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob nodded, but he was not sure about the
+conductor&rsquo;s surmise that he had seen the last of
+Hamsa for he was both a powerful and resourceful
+man.</p>
+<p>The trainmen helped Bob to his feet and assisted
+him back to the Limited.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess now you&rsquo;ll be content to go to bed
+and give us a little rest,&rdquo; said the conductor when
+Bob reached his own berth.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got to get off a telegram first,&rdquo; replied
+Bob. &ldquo;Give me the name of that stream and the
+correct time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The conductor supplied the information and
+Bob wrote a brief report of the night&rsquo;s events
+and addressed it to Waldo Edgar, the chief of
+the division of investigation back in Washington.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_148">[148]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;See that this message is dispatched at the first
+stop,&rdquo; said Bob. Then he turned, crawled between
+the crisp, cool sheets, and dropped into
+a deep sleep of exhaustion.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_149">[149]</div>
+<h2 id="c18"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XVIII</span></span>
+<br />PICKING UP CLUES<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>When he awoke the Limited was pulling
+into the train shed at Jacksonville and
+his uncle, Merritt Hughes, was waiting
+for him on the platform.</p>
+<p>The older federal agent jumped aboard the
+Limited before it came to a full stop and hastened
+down the aisle to the berth where Bob, still the
+only occupant of the car, was partially dressed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How are you, Bob?&rdquo; There was real anxiety
+in the question as Merritt Hughes looked down
+on his capable young nephew.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a little stiff, but otherwise all right,&rdquo;
+grinned Bob. &ldquo;My bag is under the berth. See
+if you can find a clean shirt for me.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_150">[150]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind the shirt now. I want to know
+what happened last night. We got only the briefest
+word from Washington over the wires and
+Condon Adams left before dawn for the hospital
+up the line where they took Tully.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he all right?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I understand he&rsquo;ll have to stay in bed for a
+couple of days.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What about the man we knew as Joe Hamsa?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Merritt Hughes shook his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There are no reports on him. There&rsquo;s a large
+searching party out looking along the banks of
+the stream where he disappeared, but it looks like
+we&rsquo;ve seen the last of him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob wished that he could have had the confidence
+his uncle displayed in believing that Joe
+Hamsa was gone forever.</p>
+<p>At his uncle&rsquo;s urging, Bob recounted in detail
+everything that had taken place after the Limited
+left Washington.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So Hamsa hid out on top of the observation
+car?&rdquo; mused the federal agent. &ldquo;Well, that&rsquo;s a
+new one for me. No wonder you failed to find
+him even though you went through the train
+several times.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_151">[151]</div>
+<p>Bob motioned toward his bag beneath the
+berth, &ldquo;Now how about my shirt? Then some
+breakfast, and I&rsquo;ll be ready to go along on my
+assignment.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ll do nothing of the kind. You&rsquo;re going
+to spend the rest of the day in bed in my room
+at the hotel. Tomorrow we&rsquo;ll talk about your
+going on to Atalissa. I&rsquo;m not sure that I want you
+to go there alone. It&rsquo;s a tough little town. People
+know too much there, but they won&rsquo;t talk.
+Either scared or in league with some illegal
+racket.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you figure the racket is the jewel smuggling?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Merritt Hughes nodded gravely.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This thing is big, Bob,&rdquo; he went on. &ldquo;As you
+know from the confidential report you got, we
+feel sure that only a few men are actually involved
+in the ring, but they must be men of great
+daring and resourcefulness, for they have managed
+to elude some of the best detectives.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then it seems kind of foolish for me to tackle
+it,&rdquo; said Bob, half to himself and half to his
+uncle.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_152">[152]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Not at all. A new, younger man may have
+some ideas that older men in the service would
+not have. You&rsquo;ve had one break in getting Hamsa
+out of the way and we&rsquo;re sure that he was linked
+with the gang.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess there&rsquo;s no question about that for he
+stole the confidential reports Tully and I had.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then what does that mean to you?&rdquo; asked
+Bob&rsquo;s uncle.</p>
+<p>The younger agent, struggling to button a shirt
+collar that was too tight, stopped and sat down on
+the edge of the berth.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In the first place it means that he wanted to
+find out just what the federal people knew about
+the operations of the gang. Then it appears pretty
+obvious that he didn&rsquo;t want any more federal
+men nosing around Atalissa and Nira.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Right in both cases,&rdquo; agreed Merritt Hughes.
+&ldquo;Now what?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, it follows that there must be some
+good reason for this interest in federal operations,
+and all I can figure out is that the gang is getting
+ready to smuggle in a large amount of gems.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_153">[153]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Go to the head of the class; you&rsquo;ve had a perfect
+score. The question now follows, what shall
+we do?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you going to try to demote me now?&rdquo;
+grinned Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I&rsquo;m just trying to find out how far along
+the way you&rsquo;ll get by sound deduction and logic.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then I&rsquo;d say that we ought to go through
+with our original plans and that Tully and I proceed
+on to our assignments at once with additional
+agents held ready to back us up if we get in a jam
+or things break wide open and we need help.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re not worrying about Hamsa having
+escaped from the river and getting word to the
+others in the gang?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course I&rsquo;m thinking about that angle, but
+that&rsquo;s a chance we&rsquo;ll have to take,&rdquo; replied Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll make the decision tomorrow. There
+may be some further advices from Washington
+by that time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob finished dressing and his uncle picked up
+his bag and together they walked out into the
+train shed.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_154">[154]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Breakfast is going to taste good to me,&rdquo; said
+Bob. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t waste any time in getting there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then we&rsquo;ll eat at the restaurant in the station,&rdquo;
+decided his uncle.</p>
+<p>Breakfast was served quickly after they placed
+their orders and Bob ate the meal with real relish.
+Corn cakes with a thick coating of maple syrup
+especially pleased him and he had a second order.</p>
+<p>After the meal was finished, they walked
+through the main waiting room of the station
+and to the taxi stand just beyond where Merritt
+Hughes signalled for a vehicle, and they were
+soon speeding toward the hotel.</p>
+<p>Bob, still stiff and sore from his encounter the
+night before with Joe Hamsa, leaned back against
+the cushions and enjoyed the trip, for this was
+his first visit to Florida. The streets were broad,
+the homes hospitable and life seemed to move at
+a more leisurely pace than it did in the northern
+cities with which he was familiar.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_155">[155]</div>
+<p>The hotel, a modest sized structure, was done
+in Spanish architecture and his uncle had two
+rooms on the fourth floor looking down on an
+inner court where there was a spacious swimming
+pool flanked by stubby palm trees.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now for a shower bath and I&rsquo;ll feel like I
+really wanted to live again,&rdquo; said Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got several reports to make out and mail
+to the bureau in Washington,&rdquo; said his uncle,
+&ldquo;and I&rsquo;ll get them out of the way while you&rsquo;re
+taking your shower.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob undressed and adjusted the spray in the
+shower to his liking. For ten minutes he relaxed
+under the soothing flow of the water and when he
+finally emerged his muscles were not as sore and
+tight and his head felt clearer. As he rubbed his
+body briskly with a heavy towel, one thought
+troubled him. What had caused the sudden illness
+which had befallen Tully and later had
+nearly struck him down on the train? While he
+dressed, Bob told his uncle about these incidents.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You say you felt something like a sharp blow
+on the face before you became ill?&rdquo; asked the
+older federal agent.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then you were gassed.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_156">[156]</div>
+<h2 id="c19"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XIX</span></span>
+<br />THE WARNING<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>&ldquo;Gassed!&rdquo; exclaimed Bob incredulously.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly. Tully got a full-sized
+dose and you probably got only half a
+one, which accounts for the varying degrees of
+your illness and nausea.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But we couldn&rsquo;t have been gassed,&rdquo; replied
+Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh yes you could. Modern crooks sometimes
+turn to science to help them and I know as a fact
+that small amounts of gas, which make the victim
+desperately ill, can be obtained in thin glass
+capsules. These capsules are so small they can
+be flipped off the end of a finger or thrown in
+some other manner with great accuracy. If they
+strike near the nose, the impact shatters them
+and the gas is released, causing a violent illness
+which usually makes the victim unconscious.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_157">[157]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what happened,&rdquo; cried Bob. &ldquo;Why
+your explanation fits perfectly, only I didn&rsquo;t get
+a full dose. Perhaps there was too much fresh air
+in the car I was in.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The pellet of glass might have struck you a
+glancing blow,&rdquo; suggested his uncle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How can you defend yourself against this?&rdquo;
+asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The only safe way would be by a gas mask,
+but now that you know such things can happen
+you can be on the lookout. If you ever feel a
+similar impact that arouses your suspicion, don&rsquo;t
+breathe, but rush to some other spot before you
+take another gulp of air. That should enable you
+to escape the gas.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to remember that,&rdquo; promised Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Better take a nap now. After you wake up
+you can type out your detailed report for Washington,&rdquo;
+advised Merritt Hughes.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_158">[158]</div>
+<p>Bob didn&rsquo;t especially relish the idea of sleeping
+when he felt he should be on his way to Atalissa,
+but he was thoroughly relaxed and a great
+fatigue had crept over him. So it was with real
+gratitude that he crept in between crisp sheets.
+He was asleep in less than a minute. Some time
+later his uncle looked in and pulled down the
+shades at the windows. Later he went out for a
+time, and when he returned Bob was still in a
+deep sleep. It was late afternoon before Bob
+finally roused from his slumber, but he felt much
+like his former self. Of course there were a few
+bruises and several strained muscles, but he could
+walk without creaking in every joint.</p>
+<p>Bob dressed and went into the adjoining room
+which his uncle occupied. The federal agent had
+gone out several hours before, but his portable
+typewriter was on a low table and Bob sat down
+and started to work on his report which was to
+be air mailed to Washington.</p>
+<p>The report was lengthy for Bob went into
+great detail and the afternoon faded into early
+night. He snapped on a desk light and continued
+with his work. When he was through he straightened
+up and stretched his arms for he had been
+hunched over the typewriter for more than an
+hour and a half.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_159">[159]</div>
+<p>Bob leaned back in his chair and read the report
+with care, correcting an occasional error
+which he had made in the manuscript. That done,
+he addressed a large envelope, and went down to
+the desk in the lobby where he secured air mail
+stamps and learned that by prompt mailing the
+letter would be delivered in Washington the next
+morning.</p>
+<p>Bob was hungry, but he waited for a time for
+his uncle. Now that he was thoroughly rested,
+he was anxious to make plans for the trip to Atalissa.
+After waiting in the lobby for half an hour,
+Bob went into the dining room which opened
+to the right, leaving word where he could be
+found.</p>
+<p>A supper with a fresh fish steak as the main
+course appeased his hunger and he ate leisurely.
+A newsboy, walking through the restaurant, attracted
+his attention and he purchased an evening
+paper, scanning the headlines while he completed
+his meal with a chocolate sundae.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_160">[160]</div>
+<p>Bob wondered if the reporters had been tipped
+off by the trainmen as to what had taken place the
+night before on the Southern Limited. He
+searched every page of the paper, but there was
+no mention of the disappearance of Joe Hamsa.</p>
+<p>It was nearly mid-evening by the time Bob
+was through with his meal and he returned to
+the lobby, inquiring for any possible information
+about his uncle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He left about four o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; said the clerk on
+duty. &ldquo;I happened to see him step into the street
+and he turned to the right. I&rsquo;m positive he hasn&rsquo;t
+been back since then.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob thanked the clerk for the information,
+meager though it was. It would do no harm to go
+for a stroll and he stepped out into the street.
+Like his uncle had done, he turned right on a
+street which led down to the water front.</p>
+<p>He soon found himself in a poorer part of the
+city. Street lights were far apart and their globes
+dirty. Houses and shops seemed to be hiding and
+the men who went along the street did not look
+up.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_161">[161]</div>
+<p>Two policemen strolled by and Bob whistled
+for he knew what it meant when officers made
+their beat in pairs. He doubted whether his uncle
+had visited this district and he turned and walked
+back to the hotel.</p>
+<p>A clock was striking ten when Bob re-entered
+the lobby. He was almost at the elevators when
+the clerk called to him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Telephone call just coming in for you,&rdquo; he
+said. &ldquo;You can answer here if you wish.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob hastened over to the desk. It must be his
+uncle, phoning to tell him that he had been detained.</p>
+<p>Bob picked up the instrument which the clerk
+handed him and placed the receiver to his ear.
+A gruff voice spoke, &ldquo;Is this Bob Houston?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>It was a strange voice and Bob tried to catalog
+its timbre, for it was pitched unusually low.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is Bob Houston speaking,&rdquo; he replied
+quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then listen to what I&rsquo;ve got to say. We&rsquo;ve
+got your uncle and we&rsquo;ll get you and any other
+federal men who attempt to trail us. Get off this
+case and stay off if you ever want to see him alive
+again and you can tell that to Washington.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_162">[162]</div>
+<h2 id="c20"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XX</span></span>
+<br />MEAGER HOPES<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Before Bob could reply he heard the receiver
+on the other end of the line click. He
+whirled to the hotel clerk.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Any idea where that call came from?&rdquo; he
+asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get the chief operator for me at once,&rdquo; said
+Bob, pulling out his badge to speed the clerk&rsquo;s efforts.
+To the chief operator Bob explained who
+he was and what he wanted.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hold the line,&rdquo; said the telephone official.</p>
+<p>Bob leaned his elbows hard against the desk.
+He needed the extra support for he had suddenly
+gone weak all over. There had been grave menace
+in the throaty voice which had come over
+the wire and he did not doubt the truth of the
+threat.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_163">[163]</div>
+<p>It was entirely possible that his uncle had been
+captured by the smugglers they were trailing
+and Bob knew, after his encounter with Hamsa,
+that they were perfectly capable of using the
+most drastic means to put out of the way any
+obstacle to the success of their plans.</p>
+<p>The chief operator spoke again.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your call came from a pay station in a drug
+store near the water front.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob obtained the name of the drug store and
+he whirled away from the desk and ran outside
+to the taxi stand. He jumped into the first
+cab and gave the address of the drug store.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Step on it driver. I&rsquo;ll clear you with any traffic
+officer that stops us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve heard that story before,&rdquo; grunted the
+driver as he shifted the gears.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This talks,&rdquo; said Bob, shoving his badge into
+view of the driver.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You said it, mister,&rdquo; said the taxi man, and
+the cab leaped ahead as he trod heavily on the
+accelerator.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_164">[164]</div>
+<p>The cab wove in and out of a web of traffic,
+then shot away down a dark street, took several
+corners on two wheels, and after threading
+through several narrower streets, drew up beside
+a well lighted corner drug store.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wait here,&rdquo; ordered Bob, jumping from the
+cab and hurrying into the store.</p>
+<p>Two clerks were on duty and Bob addressed
+himself to the older man.</p>
+<p>Motioning toward the telephone booth at the
+rear of the store, he fired his first question.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Give me a description of the man who put
+in a call from here not more than fifteen minutes
+ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The man to whom Bob addressed the question
+appeared to resent his intrusion, and his reply was
+far from courteous.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got the wrong place and besides I don&rsquo;t
+like you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>That touched off Bob&rsquo;s temper and his anger
+blazed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Give me the information I want and give it
+to me at once or you&rsquo;re going on a quick ride to
+jail. Who phoned from that booth?&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_165">[165]</div>
+<p>At the same time Bob revealed the metal shield
+in his hand which identified him, and the entire
+attitude of the clerk changed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why didn&rsquo;t you tell me you were a federal
+man in the first place?&rdquo; he grumbled.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I want to know who made that call,&rdquo; insisted
+Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I didn&rsquo;t pay a whole lot of attention.
+There were a couple of other customers in the
+store. He was kind of tall, and about thirty-five
+I&rsquo;d say.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What kind of clothes was he wearing?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He had on a coverall suit and a dark hat.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How about his hair and eyes. Was there
+anything on his face that would make it easy to
+identify him?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The younger clerk spoke up.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I noticed his low, deep voice,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and
+there was a little scar just in front of one ear.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Which one?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The clerk turned half away from Bob as though
+assuming the position in which the stranger had
+appeared to him.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_166">[166]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;It was the left ear,&rdquo; he replied. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure
+about that now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Notice anything else about him? Did he appear
+nervous or in a hurry to get away?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He wasn&rsquo;t exactly nervous, but after he came
+out of the booth he didn&rsquo;t linger around.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did he have a car?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, he walked in here, but just after he left
+I heard a motorboat getting under way. You
+know it&rsquo;s less than a block to the water front.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was no more information to be gained
+from the clerks in the store and Bob returned to
+the street where the cab was waiting.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Roll on down to the water front,&rdquo; he told the
+driver.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_167">[167]</div>
+<h2 id="c21"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXI</span></span>
+<br />SPECIAL AGENT NINE<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Along the river the docks appeared deserted
+and there was not even a watchman in
+sight. Bob returned to the cab.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wheel for the central police station and don&rsquo;t
+lose any time,&rdquo; he commanded.</p>
+<p>The cab shot away and Bob sank back into
+the seat, his head in a whirl. Somehow, he felt
+sure, the tangled threads would weave into a pattern
+that he could solve, but he had to admit that
+right now he was up against a seeming impasse.</p>
+<p>The cab driver broke almost every speed record
+in Jacksonville that night and more than once
+they averted smashed fenders by the narrowest
+of margins.</p>
+<p>A police siren shrilled behind them and the
+driver looked over his shoulder.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Motorcycle cop coming,&rdquo; he cried.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_168">[168]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;How far is it to the station?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Two blocks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then keep on going.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The driver pressed the accelerator to the floor
+boards and the cab leaped ahead, ran through a
+red light in spite of the waving arms of another
+traffic officer, and then shrieked to a stop before
+the central police station.</p>
+<p>Behind them the siren rose and then fell as
+the motorcycle officer wheeled to the curb.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Smart guys, smart guys,&rdquo; he yelled. &ldquo;Look
+where you stopped?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Grinning, he pointed to the sign which designated
+the building as the police station.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just go right on in and make yourselves at
+home. You&rsquo;ll be there long enough. I&rsquo;m going
+to slap half a dozen traffic charges against you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob had no time to waste words with a traffic
+officer.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come on in and place all of the charges you
+want to,&rdquo; he snapped, motioning to the taxi driver
+to accompany him.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_169">[169]</div>
+<p>Once inside the station, Bob hastened to the
+main desk where a night captain was on duty.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m Bob Houston, special agent nine of the
+Department of Justice,&rdquo; he explained, displaying
+the badge which he held in his hand. &ldquo;It was
+necessary for me to reach here without loss of
+time and the driver of my cab ran through some
+red lights. Please see that any charges against him
+are dismissed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The night captain nodded and waved the motorcycle
+officer aside.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why all the hurry?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My uncle, a federal agent, walked out of the
+hotel this afternoon and failed to return. A few
+minutes ago I was warned that unless the federal
+men were taken off a certain case, he would never
+be seen alive again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Think it was a fake threat?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No. It was serious enough. I traced the call
+to a public booth in a drug store down near the
+water front. The clerks were able to give me
+only a fair description of the man who made the
+call, but one of them told me a motorboat had
+started down river shortly after the man left.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_170">[170]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Any description of the boat?&rdquo; pressed the
+night captain.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There was no one along the water front.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then I&rsquo;m afraid it&rsquo;s going to be tough to pick
+up that boat. It&rsquo;s as black as pitch tonight, but
+we&rsquo;ll see what we can do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to use a private room where I can
+phone Washington,&rdquo; said Bob and the officer
+pointed to a doorway to the left and rear of his
+own desk. Before he entered, Bob paid his taxi
+bill and handed the driver a generous tip.</p>
+<p>Once in the private room, Bob dropped into
+a leather upholstered chair. Calling long distance,
+he asked for a certain number in Washington that
+was called only when something of the utmost
+importance happened.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lines north are busy at present,&rdquo; said the operator.</p>
+<p>But the information Bob had could not wait
+and he asked for the chief operator. In quick,
+terse sentences he explained who he was and the
+importance of his message.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_171">[171]</div>
+<p>Faint clicking sounds could be heard in the
+receiver, then Washington answered and Bob
+knew that his call was being given the right-of-way
+over everything else.</p>
+<p>A quiet voice asked, &ldquo;Who&rsquo;s speaking?&rdquo; and
+Bob knew that he was in contact with Waldo
+Edgar, the grim, efficient head of the government&rsquo;s
+greatest man-hunting division.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is Bob Houston. I&rsquo;m at the central police
+station at Jacksonville. Merritt Hughes, my
+uncle, has been kidnaped within the last few
+hours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; There was explosive energy
+in the question which was hurled back over the
+wires.</p>
+<p>Bob repeated his message, elaborating a little
+this time.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But Bob, that&rsquo;s impossible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I thought so too, at first,&rdquo; confessed Bob, &ldquo;but
+after that warning phone call I changed my
+mind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Call your hotel again. I&rsquo;ll hold the line.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_172">[172]</div>
+<p>Bob stepped outside and from another phone
+got in touch with his hotel. There had been no
+word about his uncle, the clerk assured him, and
+Bob returned to the private room, where he relayed
+the news northward.</p>
+<p>He heard Waldo Edgar&rsquo;s breath suck in.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What have you done?&rdquo; came the question,
+and Bob was ready.</p>
+<p>He told of his own attempt and added that he
+had enlisted the aid of the Jacksonville police.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right as far as you&rsquo;ve gone,&rdquo; said his
+chief. &ldquo;Unfortunately a big kidnaping has broken
+in the midwest and all of the extra men are concentrated
+there. Condon Adams will be back in
+Jacksonville shortly after midnight and you must
+get in touch with him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a brief pause while the federal chief
+mulled over plans for his next strategy.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_173">[173]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t going to be easy to do, Bob,&rdquo; he
+said, &ldquo;but I&rsquo;m counting on you going to your assignment
+at Atalissa at once. This gang must be
+about to pull off a really big job and I have a
+feeling the disappearance of your uncle is a step
+to keep federal men from concentrating further
+south along the coast. Get all of the information
+you can and turn it over to Condon Adams when
+he arrives. Then you continue south and Adams
+will take up the search for your uncle. As soon as
+additional men can be spared, they will be sent
+to aid you.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_174">[174]</div>
+<h2 id="c22"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXII</span></span>
+<br />A HARD ASSIGNMENT<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>It was a hard assignment to take, but Bob acquiesced.
+He would have preferred to remain
+in Jacksonville and search for his uncle,
+but he realized the logic in Waldo Edgar&rsquo;s deductions.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Keep in close touch with me, Bob, and if it
+looks like things are going to break down the
+coast, we&rsquo;ll get help to you. Keep your chin up
+now, and give them all you&rsquo;ve got.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The receiver on the far end of the line clicked
+and Bob hung up the instrument he had used.
+The night captain stuck his head in the door.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve sent word to the coast guard to keep a
+close watch for any unusual boat. Maybe they&rsquo;ll
+be able to turn up something.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But we don&rsquo;t know it was an unusual boat,&rdquo;
+protested Bob.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_175">[175]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, we didn&rsquo;t have any description and I
+had to tell them something,&rdquo; said the policeman.</p>
+<p>They returned to the main desk. The night
+captain was curious.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lot of federal men coming in?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>But Bob was noncommittal. He would be going
+further south in a few hours and the search
+for clues here would be turned over to Condon
+Adams. One thing he did need, was a good revolver
+and ammunition for the rifle.</p>
+<p>He made known his wants to the night captain.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t the usual thing, but I guess we can
+fix you up,&rdquo; said the policeman.</p>
+<p>He called another officer to take charge of the
+desk and led the way into a rear room where
+there was a whole rack of guns.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Look these over and take your choice.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The night captain opened the case and Bob
+tried half a dozen revolvers in his hand until he
+found one that was balanced to suit him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This feels like a good gun,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll
+take it.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_176">[176]</div>
+<p>From another case the captain produced a generous
+supply of ammunition.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a range downstairs if you&rsquo;d like to
+try your marksmanship,&rdquo; he volunteered.</p>
+<p>Bob knew that in the coming hours he might
+find himself in a position where a trusty gun
+would be a life saver and he accepted the captain&rsquo;s
+invitation.</p>
+<p>His finger was steady and the pressure on the
+trigger smooth. As a result he turned in a surprisingly
+good score and the policeman whistled
+when he saw the card Bob shot out.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good work, boy. Anytime you get tired of
+this federal manhunting just let me know and I&rsquo;ll
+see that you have a job here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thanks a lot,&rdquo; replied Bob. &ldquo;I may have to
+call on you if this case isn&rsquo;t solved successfully.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>When they returned upstairs the captain rummaged
+through the ammunition chest and finally
+found some cartridges which would fit Bob&rsquo;s
+rifle. A shoulder holster was also borrowed and
+Bob adjusted the straps so that it fitted neatly
+under his coat.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_177">[177]</div>
+<p>After thanking the night captain for his assistance,
+Bob returned to the hotel. Another inquiry
+at the desk revealed that there had been
+no word from his uncle and Bob went upstairs.</p>
+<p>His body was tired from the strain of the last
+few hours and he took a warm shower, topping
+it off with a cold spray that sent the blood tingling
+through his body. Then he dressed in fresh
+clothes and stretched out on the bed for a little
+relaxation before going to the train to meet Condon
+Adams.</p>
+<p>Bob would have preferred to remain in Jacksonville
+to lead the hunt for his uncle, but he
+knew that Adams was both capable and ruthless
+and when a federal agent was kidnaped, personal
+feelings which Adams might have toward his
+uncle would vanish.</p>
+<p>Bob mulled over the preceding events and the
+disappearance of his uncle strengthened his belief
+that Hamsa had survived his fall off the trestle
+and into the flood waters the night before. If
+Hamsa had not survived, Bob doubted if his uncle
+would have been abducted for he knew that
+Hamsa would be afraid of the results when his
+uncle and he got to comparing notes.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_178">[178]</div>
+<p>The feeling that some momentous activity by
+the smugglers was under way grew as Bob lay
+there on the bed. The leaders were desperate
+and yet courageous enough to attempt to do away
+with two federal agents and having failed to do
+that had kidnaped a third.</p>
+<p>Bob got up and scanned a map of Florida which
+he had obtained. His finger ran along the coastline
+until he came to Atalissa. Then he traced on
+down to Nira where Tully had been assigned. It
+was a desolate, sparsely inhabited section of the
+coast&mdash;an area which in centuries before had probably
+been a favorite hiding place for bands of
+pirates who had roved the Spanish main. Numerous
+indentations dotted the coast, offering ample
+shelter to men who were afraid of the law.</p>
+<p>With a start Bob noticed the time. It was after
+eleven o&rsquo;clock. He was taking no chances and he
+adjusted the shoulder holster, filled the chambers
+of the revolver with shells, and slipped on his
+coat.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_179">[179]</div>
+<p>At the desk downstairs he left word for the
+clerk to take any message which might come for
+him. Then he sped toward the station in a taxi.
+When he arrived at the terminal he found that
+the train Condon Adams was coming on was half
+an hour late, for the tracks north were still soft
+from the heavy rain of the preceding night.</p>
+<p>Bob sat down to wait for the arrival of the
+train and as the minutes slipped away he had the
+feeling that he was under observation. The hair
+along the back of his neck tingled and he wanted
+to turn around and stare at those back of him.
+Instead, he moved once or twice as though restless
+and finally stood up, stretched, and strolled over
+to the magazine stand, where he could turn
+around and see the entire concourse.</p>
+<p>Bob picked up a magazine and skimmed
+through the pages with fingers that turned the
+sheets mechanically while his keen eyes roved
+over the room. Finally he came back to a lightly
+built man who had been leaning against a radiator
+somewhat to the right and back of the bench on
+which he had been seated.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_180">[180]</div>
+<p>The man was dressed in a poorly fitted dark
+suit, wore a cap, and moved restlessly. He was
+the only one in the scattered gathering of people
+in the station whom Bob would suspect of being
+there to watch him.</p>
+<p>Just then the lights flashed over an incoming
+train board and Bob turned and walked toward
+the train gates. Passengers started coming through
+the gate and among the first was the bulky form
+of Condon Adams. Bob called to him and Adams
+turned aside.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How&rsquo;s Tully?&rdquo; asked Bob, who was really
+concerned over the condition of the young federal
+agent.</p>
+<p>Condon Adams&rsquo; face lighted up, for he was
+genuinely fond of his nephew and Bob&rsquo;s inquiry
+touched a soft spot.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Getting along fine,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Oh, he&rsquo;s pretty
+sore and all that, but he&rsquo;ll be able to continue on
+his assignment in two or three more days.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It was a tough break,&rdquo; said Bob and Adams
+nodded.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s been going on?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_181">[181]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Plenty,&rdquo; replied Bob. &ldquo;My uncle was kidnaped
+earlier this evening.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Adams dropped his bag and whirled to Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; he demanded, as though unable
+to believe the words.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My uncle disappeared this evening and everything
+points to a kidnaping by this gang of smugglers
+we&rsquo;re after,&rdquo; explained Bob.</p>
+<p>Condon Adams threw back his head and
+laughed, but it was a grim sort of laugh that sent
+chills down Bob&rsquo;s neck.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well that&rsquo;s good,&rdquo; snorted Adams. &ldquo;Merritt
+Hughes, ace federal manhunter, kidnaped. I
+suppose I&rsquo;ll have to hunt for him now instead of
+the kidnapers.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess that&rsquo;s about the size of things,&rdquo; replied
+Bob slowly. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been in touch with Washington.
+I&rsquo;m to go on south to Atalissa on my
+original assignment and you are to take up the
+hunt here for him. I&rsquo;ve already got the Jacksonville
+police on the case. When Tully comes out
+of the hospital, he is to continue to Nira as first
+ordered.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_182">[182]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s get some coffee,&rdquo; said Condon Adams
+as they walked past the entrance of the station
+restaurant.</p>
+<p>The older federal agent slid his traveling bag
+into a corner and dropped down into a chair.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What a mess to get into,&rdquo; he said, half to himself
+and half to Bob. Then he looked up.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your uncle means quite a lot to you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob nodded. &ldquo;You know he does. He got me
+into the service and he&rsquo;s pretty much of an older
+brother to me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A waitress took their orders before Adams
+spoke again.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then you know how I feel about Tully;
+he&rsquo;s kind of a kid brother to me. But that&rsquo;s getting
+away from what I started to say. Your uncle
+and I have always been rivals in the service. One
+of us would solve a good case and then the other
+would win on the next one. He&rsquo;s never liked the
+way I got in through a little political help, but on
+the whole I&rsquo;ve done a pretty good job. Gosh,
+I wouldn&rsquo;t know what to do if anything happened
+to him to take him out of the service.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_183">[183]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;He may be out for good now unless we can
+find him,&rdquo; said Bob bitterly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just it, and Bob, differences are going
+to be forgotten for the time. Why I wouldn&rsquo;t
+be happy if your uncle and I weren&rsquo;t in some
+kind of a scrap to see who could solve a new case.
+We&rsquo;ll find him and we&rsquo;ll find him soon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then you&rsquo;ll work a hundred per cent on the
+case?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Day and night,&rdquo; promised Condon Adams,
+reaching across the table to clasp Bob&rsquo;s hand
+firmly in his own and Bob knew that the older
+agent was a man of his word and highly competent
+in his own peculiar way.</p>
+<p>Cups of steaming coffee were set before them
+as well as the plate of doughnuts which Adams
+had ordered. They attacked the lunch with a will
+and Bob, draining his cup of coffee a few minutes
+later, caught another glimpse of the slender,
+slouching figure he had seen in the main waiting
+room.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_184">[184]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t turn around,&rdquo; he said to Adams, &ldquo;but
+when we get up, look at the little fellow in the
+dark cap and suit. He&rsquo;s outside looking in the
+window. I had a feeling in the station he was
+watching me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Condon Adams reached for the checks and
+stood up. In reaching for his traveling bag he
+was able to turn toward the broad glass window
+and get a good view of the man Bob had described.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never seen him before,&rdquo; said Adams, &ldquo;but
+he doesn&rsquo;t look like a very savory character.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He paid the bill for their lunch and as they
+stepped out of the restaurant and looked for a
+cab, the man in the dark suit sidled up to them.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You guys federal men?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>Bob and Condon Adams whirled toward him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What of it?&rdquo; barked Adams.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was just askin&rsquo;. If you are, I&rsquo;ve got a message
+for you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who from?&rdquo; it was Bob now.</p>
+<p>The little man shook his head.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_185">[185]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; he mumbled. &ldquo;Fellow down
+on the water front gave me a note to give to the
+federals. Said one of them was at a hotel. When
+I inquired there I learned he&rsquo;d gone to the station
+so I came along and thought I&rsquo;d try you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He reached for an inner pocket and too late
+Bob divined what was happening. The street
+they were in was quiet now and suddenly there
+was danger in the air.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_186">[186]</div>
+<h2 id="c23"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXIII</span></span>
+<br />SNAP AIM SCORES<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Before Bob could reach for his own gun, the
+little man had whipped a snub-nosed automatic
+from a shoulder holster under his
+left shoulder and his eyes gleamed in the dim
+street light.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How nice of you to tell me you were federals;
+saved me a lot of trouble. Smart guys, aren&rsquo;t you?
+Well, get going toward that car on the other side
+and don&rsquo;t make any bad steps.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A cold rage gripped Bob. They had fallen into
+a neat trap and probably would soon be as helpless
+as his uncle, who had been kidnaped earlier
+in the evening. In the meantime, the smugglers
+would have ample time to run in a large sum of
+gems. Since they were willing to take the desperate
+chance of abducting three federal men,
+the amount must be tremendous.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_187">[187]</div>
+<p>Condon Adams started to set down his traveling
+bag, but a sharp command from the little man
+stopped him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Carry that bag and carry it carefully,&rdquo; he
+snapped. &ldquo;You guys are going for a long boat
+ride.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They walked rapidly across the street. In fact,
+Bob was in a hurry to reach the car. For some
+reason they had not been searched and if he could
+get inside the sedan he might be able to slip the
+revolver out of his shoulder holster. Condon
+Adams lagged a little; perhaps suspecting what
+was in Bob&rsquo;s mind.</p>
+<p>The door of the sedan opened as they neared
+and Bob saw a man slouched at the wheel. There
+was no one else in the car and Bob stepped into
+the sedan, his muscles tense and his nerves cold.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Stop!&rdquo; the command was quiet but deadly
+and Bob halted halfway to the seat.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Back up and back up slow; I&rsquo;m taking no
+chances on gunplay.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The driver of the car sat up quickly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ain&rsquo;t you searched them, Benny?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_188">[188]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Shut up,&rdquo; snapped the man on the pavement
+and Bob, stepping back gingerly now, caught a
+glimpse of the man with the gun. There was just
+a chance of success for a desperate play and he
+took the chance.</p>
+<p>The gun in the shoulder holster was unfamiliar
+as was the holster, but Bob was half hidden by the
+darkness of the interior of the sedan. His right
+hand, moving like a flash, grasped the butt of
+the gun. Without attempting to pull it from the
+holster, Bob simply elevated the muzzle and
+pulled the trigger.</p>
+<p>He fired by instinct as much as anything and
+a flash of flame stabbed the night. On the echo of
+the shot came a sharp cry and the man on the
+pavement leaped backward, his own gun replying.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_189">[189]</div>
+<p>Bob fired again and through the haze of smoke
+and the acrid smell of burning cloth saw the little
+man tumbling. The driver of the car swung
+toward Bob, but before he could get into the
+scrap, Bob jerked the gun from its holster and
+clubbed him over the head with the barrel. It
+was a savage blow, but he was dealing with men
+who knew no mercy themselves. The driver
+slumped forward in his seat and Bob, gun in
+hand, leaped from the car.</p>
+<p>Condon Adams, who had been able to draw
+his own weapon, was leaning over the man on the
+street.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great work, Bob. I thought they were going
+to get away with this for a while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he hurt badly?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I don&rsquo;t think he&rsquo;s going to be doing any
+more mischief for a good long time. Your first
+one caught his right shoulder and the second one
+took his left leg&mdash;that&rsquo;s what I&rsquo;d call disabling a
+gangster.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It was spot shooting. I didn&rsquo;t have time to
+aim,&rdquo; explained Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then I hope I&rsquo;m not the target when you
+really aim,&rdquo; said the older federal agent.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_190">[190]</div>
+<h2 id="c24"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXIV</span></span>
+<br />AT THE HOSPITAL<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>A policeman on duty at the station, attracted
+by the shooting, came on the run and
+Condon Adams flashed his federal badge.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get an ambulance and get this man to a hospital.
+See that a heavy guard is placed at his bed.
+We&rsquo;ll take the fellow in the car down to the
+central station with us and make a personal report.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The federal men remained on the scene until
+an ambulance arrived. In the meantime Condon
+Adams had handcuffed the driver of the car, who
+was now regaining consciousness. He pushed him
+into the back seat, tossed in his own traveling bag,
+and with Bob driving the car, they started for the
+police station.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_191">[191]</div>
+<p>The trip was uneventful and they parked the
+car in front of the station where a few hours before
+Bob had telephoned the news of his uncle&rsquo;s
+abduction to Washington. The same night captain
+was on duty and his eyes widened when he
+saw Bob and Condon Adams with their handcuffed
+prisoner.</p>
+<p>Before the policeman could ply them with
+questions Condon Adams explained what had
+happened.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Throw this fellow into a solitary cell; I&rsquo;ll
+question him after I get back from the hospital,&rdquo;
+he said.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What charge shall I book him on?&rdquo; asked the
+policeman.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Attempted abduction of a federal officer,&rdquo;
+snapped Adams, who then turned toward Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll get over to the hospital now and see if
+the fellow you clipped with a couple of bullets
+is ready to talk.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They hurried outside the station, but Adams
+stopped short when he saw the sedan at the
+curb.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I forgot all about the car,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s probably
+stolen. I&rsquo;ll report it to the captain.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_192">[192]</div>
+<p>By the time the older federal agent was back
+Bob had a cab waiting at the curb and they told
+the driver to speed them to the hospital.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If we can get either one of these fellows to
+talk, it may be the break that will open up this
+case,&rdquo; mused Adams as the cab roared along the
+now almost deserted streets.</p>
+<p>They pulled up at the hospital where a dim
+light glowed over the entrance. There was no
+general admittance at that hour of the night, but
+continued ringing of the bell brought an orderly
+and they gained admission.</p>
+<p>Condon Adams revealed their identity to the
+night supervisor and asked the condition of the
+man who had been brought in.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s resting fairly comfortably,&rdquo; said the
+nurse. &ldquo;The bullet in his shoulder has been removed
+and the one in his leg will be taken out in
+the morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Case serious?&rdquo; pressed Adams.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_193">[193]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t say so,&rdquo; replied the nurse cautiously,
+leading the way down the darkened
+corridor to a room where the lights were aglow.
+She opened the door and they stepped in, a nurse
+who had been near the bed rising as they entered.
+A policeman on the other side of the bed did
+likewise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t make him talk too much,&rdquo; cautioned
+the night supervisor.</p>
+<p>Bob looked at the man who had attempted to
+kidnap them. His face was thin and marred with
+a sneer.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You fellows can save your breath. I won&rsquo;t
+talk,&rdquo; he said, an unpleasant whine in his voice,
+and Bob catalogued him as a dangerous man when
+armed, but one who was weak physically.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll see about that,&rdquo; said Adams confidently.
+&ldquo;The boys down at the station are working over
+the fellow who was driving for you. If you don&rsquo;t
+talk here, we&rsquo;ll work you over when you get
+out.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob knew that was only a threat, but he was
+interested in the reaction in the face of the man
+on the bed and he saw a weakening of the lines
+around the mouth as though the thought of
+physical punishment was unnerving.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_194">[194]</div>
+<p>Condon Adams must have sensed the same
+thing for he advanced with a threatening gesture
+of his fists and the man on the bed cringed away
+from him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t hit me,&rdquo; he cried.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Maybe not, but I&rsquo;d like to,&rdquo; scowled Adams,
+and Bob knew that the older federal agent was
+sincere in that.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_195">[195]</div>
+<h2 id="c25"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXV</span></span>
+<br />BOB GETS READY<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Adams plied the wounded man with questions,
+but all of the answers were evasive
+and he finally turned to Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll let him go for tonight. I&rsquo;ll come back
+and see him tomorrow and I&rsquo;ll see him alone. I
+can make him talk.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They left the room after admonishing the policeman
+on guard to remain on the alert for any
+attempt to free the wounded man.</p>
+<p>Out in the hallway Condon Adams confessed
+to his disappointment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I thought maybe he&rsquo;d break and talk. He&rsquo;s a
+weakling. I&rsquo;ll get it out of him later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How much later?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just it. I don&rsquo;t know. It may be too
+late to help in the hunt for your uncle.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_196">[196]</div>
+<p>Down on the main floor of the hospital once
+more they telephoned for a taxicab and when it
+appeared, gave the driver orders to go to Bob&rsquo;s
+hotel. They were silent on the trip back into the
+heart of the city and when they reached the hotel
+Condon Adams registered for a room on the same
+floor as those of Bob and his uncle.</p>
+<p>Bob went directly to his own room and made
+a final inspection of the articles in his Gladstone
+bag. The rifle and ammunition appeared intact
+and he removed the revolver from the shoulder
+holster, cleaned it carefully and refilled the
+chambers.</p>
+<p>After that was done he inspected his coat. It
+appeared ruined beyond repair for the revolver
+bullets had torn through the cloth and sparks
+from the burning powder had extended the area
+of the damage.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_197">[197]</div>
+<p>Bob removed the suit he had been wearing and
+got into the comfortable and rough and ready
+corduroys which he had brought with him. He
+laced up his boots and then adjusted the shoulder
+holster, making sure that it would swing free in
+case he faced any other emergencies similar to the
+one which had confronted them a little more than
+an hour before.</p>
+<p>Condon Adams tapped on the door and then
+came in.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;About ready to start for Atalissa?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>Bob nodded.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can get a southbound local at 3 a. m. After
+about three hours I change to an accommodation
+train that finally winds up at Atalissa somewhere
+around noon. Not a very pleasant ride, but I
+don&rsquo;t want to attract attention either by breezing
+in there in a car or a boat and as the roads are
+none too good, I think the train is the best bet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How about communications out of the village?
+You may need help in a hurry?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t checked up on them,&rdquo; confessed
+Bob.</p>
+<p>The older federal agent went to the telephone
+and after a lengthy conversation with the hotel
+clerk, secured the desired information.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_198">[198]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;The telegraph office at the railroad station is
+open from eight o&rsquo;clock in the morning to five
+o&rsquo;clock in the evening. The phone exchange,
+which seems to be pretty much of a one horse
+affair, closes at nine o&rsquo;clock in the evening. If
+anything happens after that you&rsquo;ll have to get the
+operator out of bed in order to get a call through.
+I&rsquo;m making my headquarters here. Let me know
+the minute anything turns up.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll do that,&rdquo; promised Bob, who, while he
+could not exactly warm up to Condon Adams,
+felt sure that the older man would bend every
+effort toward the recovery of his uncle. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll let
+you know where I can be reached in Atalissa so
+you can get news to me the minute Uncle Merritt
+is found.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Condon Adams glanced at his wrist watch.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You haven&rsquo;t much time to lose if you&rsquo;re going
+to make that southbound local.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob looked at his own watch. It was 2:45
+o&rsquo;clock. He closed his Gladstone bag and tightened
+the straps. Condon Adams walked ahead of
+him into the hall and then as far as the elevator.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t take too many chances, Bob, and keep
+your chin up. This thing is going to come out all
+right.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_199">[199]</div>
+<h2 id="c26"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXVI</span></span>
+<br />&ldquo;DON&rsquo;T MOVE!&rdquo;<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob wished that he could feel the confidence
+of Condon Adams&rsquo; words as he stepped
+into the elevator and dropped toward the
+main floor. At the desk he turned in his room
+key and then took a taxi to the same station
+where earlier in the night, in company with
+Condon Adams, he had captured two of the
+suspected gem smugglers.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent purchased his ticket
+for Atalissa and the agent cautioned him about
+the change at the junction. Then Bob picked up
+his bag and walked through the now practically
+deserted waiting room and out into the train shed
+where a stubby, three car train was waiting for
+the final call of &ldquo;booo-ard&rdquo; to start its jerking
+journey southward. An express car and a combination
+baggage and mail car were behind the
+engine while the rear car was a dimly lighted
+coach.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_200">[200]</div>
+<p>Bob climbed up the steps. The seats were of
+green plush, and halfway up the interior of the
+car was a wooden partition which marked the
+forward end of the coach as the smoking compartment.
+There were only two people in the
+rear half and Bob turned one seat over so a double
+seat would be available. Then he stuck his ticket
+in his hat band, folded up his corduroy coat for a
+pillow, and curled up to make the best of the
+lonely trip to Atalissa.</p>
+<p>The federal agent had dropped into a light
+sleep when the train started. He roused up long
+enough to hear it roll over a bridge and then he
+went back to sleep, failing to hear the conductor
+when he removed the ticket from the band of
+his hat.</p>
+<p>The local jerked and stopped and then jerked
+into motion again. This operation was repeated
+a number of times, but Bob slept heavily through
+it all, for his body was near exhaustion. It was
+well after dawn when he finally moved and he
+groaned softly as the blood started flowing once
+more through his cramped legs.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_201">[201]</div>
+<p>Bob sat up and massaged his legs and arms. It
+was quite clear out now and the local was rocking
+along a desolate stretch of Florida east coast.
+Somewhere along the line the other passengers
+had left the train and Bob was now the only occupant
+of the coach.</p>
+<p>He got up and walked to the water cooler.
+Fortunately there was an ample supply of water
+and after bathing his face and hands with the
+cool liquid, he felt much refreshed though
+ravenously hungry.</p>
+<p>Up ahead the engineer blasted his whistle for
+a highway crossing and Bob felt the air brakes
+go on, the old wooden coach jumping around in
+protest as the speed dropped sharply. They
+clacked over switches and Bob, looking ahead,
+could see a weather beaten station, on the other
+side of which another train was standing. This,
+he concluded, must be the junction.</p>
+<p>The conductor, coming back from the baggage
+car, gave Bob his train check.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_202">[202]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t have many passengers going to Atalissa,&rdquo;
+he said. &ldquo;Them that wants to get there
+usually go by car or boat.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The local rocked to a creaking halt and Bob,
+his Gladstone in hand, stepped down on the
+cinder platform.</p>
+<p>The accommodation which was to take him the
+rest of the way to Atalissa was on the other side
+of the station. The engine, an antiquated little
+affair, looked about like a teakettle, but the two
+freight cars and the passenger car on the back
+end were standard size equipment.</p>
+<p>The conductor, in faded blue overalls, looked
+at Bob&rsquo;s ticket.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guess you&rsquo;re the only passenger,&rdquo; he said.
+&ldquo;Well, we might as well be going.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How about breakfast?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hungry?&rdquo; asked the conductor.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just about starved,&rdquo; confessed Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, we stop at Ainsworth about ten miles
+down the line. There&rsquo;s a little place there where
+you can get a bite to eat.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_203">[203]</div>
+<p>There appeared to be nothing else to do so
+Bob climbed up the steps of the old wooden coach
+and put his Gladstone in the first seat at the rear.
+The engineer whistled a wheezy &ldquo;high ball&rdquo; and
+the conductor swung up on the back end as the
+accommodation started its daily run for the seacoast.</p>
+<p>The air in the coach was stuffy and Bob found
+it pleasanter on the rear platform, watching the
+track wind away in the distance and they swung
+around curves and chugged their way up steep
+grades. It seemed incredible that in such a peaceful
+appearing country there must be located the
+headquarters for a relentless band of smugglers.</p>
+<p>The second stop of the accommodation that
+morning was at Ainsworth and as the train slowed
+down for the station, the conductor came back
+and spoke to Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll be here about fifteen minutes. That
+ought to give you time enough to get something
+to eat. Restaurant&rsquo;s right back of the station.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_204">[204]</div>
+<p>Bob estimated that Ainsworth must be a village
+of some two hundred souls and he was dubious
+about the quality of the food which he would obtain,
+but when he stepped inside the eating house
+he was agreeably surprised by the cleanliness and
+an elderly woman took his order with pleasing
+promptness.</p>
+<p>Bob took a cold cereal, and ate it with relish
+while eggs and bacon sputtered on a stove in the
+kitchen. When they were ready he ordered coffee
+and several doughnuts.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t need to hurry too much, they won&rsquo;t go
+away without you,&rdquo; reassured the woman who
+waited on him.</p>
+<p>But Bob finished in ample time to enjoy a
+leisurely walk back to the train. When he reentered
+the day coach he was surprised to find
+another occupant, a large, heavy-boned man with
+a faded mustache and thinning hair. What surprised
+Bob even more was to see a badge on the
+other&rsquo;s vest and he strolled forward through the
+car. His eyes opened a little wider when he saw
+that the badge worn by the other said, &ldquo;Sheriff.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The water cooler was a convenient place to
+stop and Bob, studying the other man in leisure,
+drank two cups of water.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_205">[205]</div>
+<p>Suddenly the sheriff spoke.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now that you&rsquo;ve about sized me up, what&rsquo;s
+on your mind, Bud?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob almost fell over backwards for he had tried
+to make his observation of the other man altogether
+casual.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing,&rdquo; he managed to reply, but the word
+failed to carry conviction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not trying to dodge the law, are you?&rdquo; asked
+the sheriff, and Bob noticed that a perfectly capable
+looking gun was holstered under the other&rsquo;s
+right shoulder.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then why are you carrying a gun?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob started, almost guiltily, and his face
+flushed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That,&rdquo; he retorted, &ldquo;is none of your business.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After the words were out he could almost have
+bitten his tongue in two for if the sheriff pressed
+him for an answer, he would be forced to reveal
+his identity and such things as local sheriffs being
+involved in crime was not altogether unknown.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_206">[206]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m making it my business right now,&rdquo;
+snapped the older man and before Bob could
+move, a gun appeared in the other&rsquo;s hands.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Put up your hands and turn around. Do it
+slowly and you won&rsquo;t be hurt, but if you make
+one false move, I&rsquo;ll let you have it.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_207">[207]</div>
+<h2 id="c27"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXVII</span></span>
+<br />SHERIFF McCURDY TALKS<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>There was nothing else for Bob to do and
+with his hands raised high above his head,
+he turned slowly and faced the water
+cooler. He could imagine how Tully Ross would
+have chuckled if he could have seen his predicament
+now.</p>
+<p>Firm hands whisked the gun out of the
+shoulder holster and Bob heard the sheriff step
+back.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Turn around slowly now, but keep your
+hands up.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob obeyed the command and the sheriff
+waved him toward a seat on the opposite side of
+the car.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now that you&rsquo;ve got my gun, you&rsquo;d better let
+me explain,&rdquo; said Bob.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_208">[208]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;You can do your explaining in jail,&rdquo; retorted
+the sheriff. &ldquo;No big-town gunman is going to run
+another trick on me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The last words were said with grim determination
+and Bob saw the sheriff&rsquo;s jaw muscles tighten.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Turn up the lapel of my coat and you&rsquo;ll find
+that you&rsquo;re making a mistake,&rdquo; pressed Bob. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m
+an agent of the bureau of investigation of the
+United States Department of Justice.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re just a kid,&rdquo; scoffed the older officer.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Turn up the lapel of my coat and see what&rsquo;s
+there. This thing has gone far enough,&rdquo; insisted
+Bob.</p>
+<p>There was something in Bob&rsquo;s voice which
+forced the sheriff to act and he reached over
+cautiously and turned up the lapel of Bob&rsquo;s coat.
+The small badge which was revealed there
+brought an instant change in his attitude and he
+lowered the gun which he held in his hands.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Looks like I&rsquo;ve made a bad mistake,&rdquo; he said.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry, but after what I&rsquo;ve been through you
+can&rsquo;t blame me.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_209">[209]</div>
+<p>The sheriff, who introduced himself as Abel
+McCurdy, handed the gun back to Bob and the
+federal agent, after breaking open the gun and
+looking at the chambers, returned it to his
+shoulder holster.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s happened?&rdquo; asked Bob, for he recalled
+that only a minute earlier the sheriff hinted
+at some trick of which he had been the victim.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s kind of a crazy story and I don&rsquo;t suppose
+it would interest a federal man,&rdquo; replied the
+older officer.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m interested in anything that&rsquo;s going on
+around here,&rdquo; said Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then you may run right smack into trouble,&rdquo;
+cautioned the other, and he shook his head a little
+sadly. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s what was the matter with
+me&mdash;too interested in other people&rsquo;s business.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tell me what happened,&rdquo; pressed Bob, for he
+had a feeling that in some way or another the
+sheriff might be connected with the smugglers
+who were known to be operating around Atalissa.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s been some strange things going on
+along the coast,&rdquo; began the sheriff, &ldquo;and I&rsquo;ve been
+trying to figure them out, but I didn&rsquo;t have much
+luck until last night when I was south of Atalissa.
+A big touring car came roaring along the road and
+I stopped it. Car was going too fast.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_210">[210]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;What happened?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Too much,&rdquo; admitted the sheriff. &ldquo;Fellow
+driving got out, but when he did he had a machine
+gun in his hands and I wasn&rsquo;t any match for that
+even though I&rsquo;m a pretty good shot with a revolver.
+He handcuffed me with my own handcuffs
+and made me get into the back seat and then
+drove off like mad. After a while he stopped and
+blindfolded me, and then went on for a time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What did he look like?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, he was kind of short and heavy, I&rsquo;d
+say.&rdquo; The sheriff went on with his description of
+the man who had kidnaped him and before he was
+through Bob was convinced that the other was
+Joe Hamsa.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_211">[211]</div>
+<h2 id="c28"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXVIII</span></span>
+<br />THEORIES<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob felt it was time to reveal his real mission
+to the seacoast and in clear, brief words he
+told the sheriff why he had come down
+from Washington and what had gone on since he
+had started south.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You mean to say they had the nerve to kidnap
+your uncle, a federal agent?&rdquo; asked the sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure they have him and the only thing we
+know is that the start away from Jacksonville was
+made by boat.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sheriff nodded.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That would be a good way. Why, I can think
+of half a hundred good places to hide a man along
+this section of the coast.&rdquo; Then the sheriff went
+on to explain that shortly before dawn he had
+been dumped unceremoniously out of the sedan
+after being released from the handcuffs.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_212">[212]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Can you remember any stops?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Only one. We must have been very close to
+the ocean, for I was sure I could hear the sound of
+the surf.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Any idea in what direction you traveled?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing that would help much. I was about
+two miles from Ainsworth when I was dumped
+out, and I went in there and got another gun and
+then decided to take the train to Atalissa for I
+was only about a mile from there when I was
+kidnaped last night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did you hear anything unusual when you
+stopped where you thought you could hear the
+surf?&rdquo; pressed on Bob.</p>
+<p>Sheriff McCurdy was silent for a time.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, there was one thing&mdash;a humming that was
+faint and then increased in strength and finally
+died away.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It might have been a &rsquo;plane,&rdquo; suggested Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, I hadn&rsquo;t thought of that. Sure, that&rsquo;s
+just what it sounded like.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The driver of the car got out and came back
+a little after.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_213">[213]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;After the humming had died away?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; agreed the sheriff.</p>
+<p>Bob was elated at this news. He felt that even
+before his arrival at Atalissa he had stumbled upon
+a real clue and he hoped upon a worthy aid in
+the doughty southern sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then he went on, later dumping you out of
+the car?&rdquo; pressed Bob.</p>
+<p>The sheriff agreed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He was none too gentle in dumping me out,&rdquo;
+complained the sheriff. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d just like to get my
+hands on him for a few minutes. Believe me, I&rsquo;d
+make his bones ache.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was no question about the irritation or
+the sincerity of the officer and Bob couldn&rsquo;t help
+but suppress a chuckle, for he believed the sheriff
+perfectly capable of manhandling Joe Hamsa.</p>
+<p>Bob felt that the time had come to be perfectly
+frank with the sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m down here on a smuggling case,&rdquo; he explained.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to need your help and I may
+need it badly.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_214">[214]</div>
+<p>Then he went on to relate in detail everything
+that had taken place since he had left Washington,
+revealing even the kidnaping of his uncle.
+When he was through the sheriff whistled
+through his whiskers.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve kind of suspected that something queer
+was going on south of Atalissa, but there were no
+complaints and I never was able to pick up anything.
+You think the fellow who kidnaped me
+was the man on the train with you when you
+came south?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;From your description, I&rsquo;m positive it was
+Hamsa,&rdquo; replied Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then he&rsquo;s a tough customer if he escaped
+from that river and got down here so rapidly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;One thing we&rsquo;ve got to remember,&rdquo; cautioned
+Bob, &ldquo;is that the gang is compact and apparently
+extremely well organized.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sheriff was silent for a time.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Think that plane landing last night might have
+brought in smuggled gems?&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_215">[215]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; confessed Bob. &ldquo;Everyone in
+the department has a feeling that the gang is pointing
+toward one more big smuggling operation.
+If the gems had come in last night I have a feeling
+that more than one man would have been with
+Hamsa to get them. It just doesn&rsquo;t seem logical
+that one man, even though he might be the leader
+of the gang, would handle this end of the game. I&rsquo;d
+be more inclined to think the contact last night
+was for the purpose of making final plans.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_216">[216]</div>
+<h2 id="c29"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXIX</span></span>
+<br />MORE CLUES<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>The sheriff turned this over in his mind
+for some time as the train rumbled along
+the rough right-of-way. Then he nodded
+and agreed with Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Looks like you&rsquo;re right. That means we may
+be in for a busy time when the actual contact is
+attempted.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll be busy enough, if we can learn where
+the contact will be made,&rdquo; retorted the young
+federal agent.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What about your uncle?&rdquo; asked the sheriff.</p>
+<p>The exultation which had marked Bob&rsquo;s features
+vanished.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_217">[217]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t honestly know. From the reputation
+of this gang I should fear the worst, but for some
+reason I have unbounded faith in my uncle&rsquo;s
+ability to take care of himself in a crisis. The last
+we knew was that he disappeared from the waterfront
+and shortly after that a motorboat sped
+down the river.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then if a big smuggling operation is under
+way, it&rsquo;s just possible that he might be brought
+down here,&rdquo; argued the sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He might be taken to their hideout,&rdquo; agreed
+Bob, &ldquo;but so far our men have no real clue to
+that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We may be able to pick up something at Atalissa,&rdquo;
+said the sheriff. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve a number of friends
+there who may be able to give me information you
+never could get.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As the accommodation jogged toward the
+coast, the country became wilder and they
+rumbled across narrow bridges that spanned
+bayous and salt streams. Undergrowth was thick
+and almost jungle-like. They were in one of the
+wildest sections of the Florida coast&mdash;uninviting,
+inhospitable, and for years the hideout for lawbreakers
+of various kinds.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_218">[218]</div>
+<p>The brakes went on sharply and the little
+train swung around a curve as the wheels shrieked
+a protest. Looking ahead, Bob could see a huddle
+of houses around a large bayou. Beyond that was
+a narrow opening and further out a glimpse of the
+blue Atlantic. This, then, must be Atalissa, his
+present destination.</p>
+<p>The sheriff stood up, and looked at his watch.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lucky trip this morning,&rdquo; he declared. &ldquo;Usually
+the local has a couple of derailments.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The train pulled up before a dilapidated station
+and Bob and the sheriff stepped down on a rough
+plank platform. The only others visible were the
+train crew and the station agent.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Town looks quiet,&rdquo; said the sheriff as they
+started down the one street which was flanked on
+one side by the clear waters of the bayou and on
+the other by a long line of buildings, some of
+them stores and the others places of residence.</p>
+<p>The first building, a story and a half structure,
+was a barber shop and the sheriff turned in here.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morning, sheriff,&rdquo; said the barber.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morning, Emil,&rdquo; replied the sheriff. &ldquo;Want
+you to meet a friend of mine, Bob Houston.
+Northerner. He&rsquo;s down for a few days loafing
+and maybe a little fishing. Know anything new?&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_219">[219]</div>
+<p>The barber, inclined to stoutness and baldness,
+shook his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not even any good fishing left,&rdquo; he sighed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everybody behavin&rsquo;?&rdquo; asked the sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just what are you driving at?&rdquo; the barber
+asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing special; just thought you might have
+heard of something,&rdquo; grinned the sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Matter of fact, I have,&rdquo; retorted the barber.
+&ldquo;Somebody&rsquo;s been flying around here the last
+couple of nights with a plane of some kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That ain&rsquo;t so unusual, is it?&rdquo; asked the sheriff.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been used to all kinds of things along this
+coast.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, that wasn&rsquo;t so strange, but this morning
+when I was fishing down in Harpey&rsquo;s bayou a
+boat came through there so fast it was nothing
+but a black streak and a flash of spray. Blamed
+thing must have been doing forty an hour.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob&rsquo;s eyes glinted.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Where did it go?&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_220">[220]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Now I was only in a rowboat and I wouldn&rsquo;t
+know where a speed boat went,&rdquo; replied the barber.
+Then, seeing the chagrin on Bob&rsquo;s face, he
+added, &ldquo;I&rsquo;d almost be willing to bet that it was
+heading for Lost Island.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob saw a queer expression flit across the
+sheriff&rsquo;s face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I might have known that&rsquo;s where such a boat
+would be going,&rdquo; he groaned. &ldquo;Why couldn&rsquo;t it
+be toward some other island?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; grinned the barber, who
+sensed that the sheriff was in Atalissa on some important
+mission. Bob saw the barber scanning his
+coat and he wondered if the gun in the shoulder
+holster was visible. If it was, it would reveal instantly
+that he was an officer, and not the vacationer
+that the sheriff had pictured him to be.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guess we&rsquo;ll be getting a boat and heading
+south,&rdquo; said the sheriff. &ldquo;Just don&rsquo;t say anything
+to anyone else on what you saw this morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not a word, sheriff,&rdquo; said the barber, and they
+left the small shop.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_221">[221]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Queer fellow,&rdquo; nodded the sheriff as they proceeded
+down the street toward a wharf. &ldquo;He
+knows everything that&rsquo;s going on and he protects
+a lot of people, but when some outsiders
+come in and start breaking the law, I can always
+figure he&rsquo;ll tell me the truth.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you make of it?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;d say that the more men you can get in here,
+the better it will be. Emil knows something queer
+is going on at Lost Island and it was just his way
+of telling me to get there in a hurry. But I don&rsquo;t
+like that place. It&rsquo;s too lonesome and it&rsquo;s so big a
+man can get lost on it for days.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know there were any islands that
+large along here,&rdquo; replied Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t actually an island,&rdquo; explained the
+sheriff, &ldquo;but there&rsquo;s water on three sides of it and
+it&rsquo;s swampy and about as dismal as the last place
+on earth. Always been a favorite hiding place for
+men trying to get away from the law.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_222">[222]</div>
+<h2 id="c30"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXX</span></span>
+<br />READY FOR ACTION<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>At the wharf the sheriff dickered for the
+rental of a boat and a 20-foot craft with
+a sturdy four cylinder motor was secured.
+There was nothing speedy about it, but
+it looked eminently safe.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We may be gone a couple of nights. I know
+where I can get some duffel and grub. You&rsquo;d better
+send word for more of your men to get in
+here,&rdquo; said the sheriff, and while he went in quest
+of the camping supplies, Bob walked back to the
+station.</p>
+<p>He had been warned to use extreme caution
+in sending out any messages from Atalissa, but
+there was no time to drive to another town and
+he preferred to telegraph rather than to telephone.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_223">[223]</div>
+<p>The message went in code and it took him some
+time to compose it. Very briefly he outlined what
+he had learned from the sheriff, concluding,
+&ldquo;Now believe Merritt Hughes has been brought
+to Lost Island and that attempt to bring in large
+amount of gems will be made soon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob did not leave the old depot until the telegram
+was humming over the wires on its way to
+Washington. Then he returned to the wharf and
+found the sheriff waiting.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll start at once,&rdquo; said the officer. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got
+a snack put up for our lunch and we&rsquo;ll eat on
+the way. Save time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob stepped into the bow of the boat where
+the sheriff had stowed away the federal agent&rsquo;s
+large bag and the officer jumped into the stern.
+The motor was turning over smoothly. The
+sheriff threw in the clutch and they moved away.</p>
+<p>The young federal agent looked back at the
+sleepy village which was strung along the bayou.
+The barber came out of his shop and waved at
+them and the man on the wharf, from whom they
+had rented the boat, watched them, his hands
+shielding his eyes from the glaring rays of the
+mid-day sun.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_224">[224]</div>
+<p>Sheriff McCurdy headed the boat toward the
+seaway, but before they reached it swung it
+sharply to the right and they chugged through a
+narrow passageway that twisted and turned interminably.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How under the sun can you find your way
+through all this maze of channels?&rdquo; asked Bob,
+understanding now why it was an ideal spot to
+carry on smuggling operations.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Been in this country all my life,&rdquo; explained
+the sheriff, &ldquo;but once in a while I get lost. Then
+I usually just sit still until someone hunts me up.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A larger expanse of water opened ahead of
+them.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Harpey&rsquo;s bayou,&rdquo; said the sheriff. &ldquo;This is
+where Emil was fishing when that black speed
+boat came through.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sheriff put the rudder bar between his legs
+and unwrapped a package which had been resting
+on the floor boards in the bottom of the boat.
+Inside were half a dozen thick sandwiches, heavily
+laden with butter and with generous slices of cold
+ham between the bread.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_225">[225]</div>
+<p>They ate the sandwiches as the launch chugged
+through the quiet waters of Harpey&rsquo;s bayou.</p>
+<p>The sheriff produced a jug of cold water and
+after a deep drink apiece, they nosed the boat
+out of the bayou and into another twisting channel,
+which, while deep, was heavily overgrown
+with trees which arched above the water until
+they formed a perfect tunnel.</p>
+<p>The air was cool and dank and Bob shuddered
+involuntarily as he thought of the loneliness
+which would descend upon such an area when the
+sun went down.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How far is it to Lost Island?&rdquo; he asked the
+sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Depends on just which part we&rsquo;re going to.
+The nearest point is about eight miles from here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They went on for some distance without speaking,
+the sheriff devoting practically all of his time
+to watching the channel.</p>
+<p>A little more than half an hour later he shut off
+the engine and skillfully guided the boat into a
+backwater where they would not be visible from
+the main channel.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_226">[226]</div>
+<p>Sheriff McCurdy dropped the heavy piece of
+iron which served as an anchor overboard and
+Bob was surprised to note that the water was at
+least eight or nine feet deep.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Better look over your guns. We may need
+them in a hurry,&rdquo; advised the sheriff.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_227">[227]</div>
+<h2 id="c31"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXXI</span></span>
+<br />A BOAT FLASHES PAST<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Bob got out his Gladstone bag and opened it,
+removing the case which held his rifle.</p>
+<p>He assembled the gun and filled the
+magazine with shells. Placing it against his
+shoulder, he aimed at a spot some distance away
+when a sharp call from the sheriff stopped the
+steady pressure of his finger on the trigger.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t take any chances with a shot now giving
+an alarm to anyone,&rdquo; he warned. &ldquo;Remember
+that the men who hide out down here are all wary
+of any gunshots.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob lowered the gun and he knew that his
+cheeks were burning for, had he thought of the
+possible result, he would not have attempted a
+practice shot or two.</p>
+<p>The sheriff, probing his own roll of duffel,
+unearthed a serviceable looking gun.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_228">[228]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Borrowed this from the barber,&rdquo; he grinned.
+&ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t quite as fancy a gun as yours but it will
+carry well and I&rsquo;ve used it once or twice before,
+so I&rsquo;m used to handling it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sheriff drew out his pipe and lighted it,
+settling back against the gunwale.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Aren&rsquo;t we going on?&rdquo; asked Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not much use right now,&rdquo; replied the officer.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;d be spotted in a minute. We&rsquo;ll wait until
+dusk. Then we can cruise along the island.
+They&rsquo;ll be sure to have a fire of some kind for the
+nights are getting chilly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob knew that the sheriff was right, but the
+thought of inactivity while his uncle was in the
+hands of gangsters galled his active spirit. However,
+he made the best of it and tried to doze.</p>
+<p>An hour slipped away when the exhaust of a
+motorboat, evidently coming at high speed,
+echoed through the lowlands.</p>
+<p>The sheriff sat up quickly, glanced at his rifle,
+and then picked up an oar and paddled their boat
+closer toward a thicket so that they were well
+hidden from the channel which passed within a
+short distance of the bayou where they had
+sought temporary refuge.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_229">[229]</div>
+<p>The noise of the oncoming boat was clearer.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Coming fast,&rdquo; grunted the sheriff, balancing
+his rifle in his hands.</p>
+<p>Bob, crouched in the bow, saw a gray boat
+shoot into sight in the main channel. It was not
+more than 200 feet away and only one man was
+in the boat. With a start he recognized the
+crouched figure of Joe Hamsa. Then the gray
+speeder was gone, only a broad, spreading wake
+remaining to mark its passage.</p>
+<p>The federal agent turned to the sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got to follow him. That was Joe
+Hamsa.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sheriff shook his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re not following him now; still too light.
+Besides I know he&rsquo;s headed for the island. Listen
+to him go!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The roar of the exhaust gradually died away
+and the sheriff turned to Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re sure that was your man?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Positive,&rdquo; replied Bob.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_230">[230]</div>
+<p>Sheriff McCurdy looked at his borrowed rifle
+once more and Bob saw the deep lines of the peace
+officer&rsquo;s face tighten.</p>
+<p>They remained for another hour in the seclusion
+of the small bayou and before they started
+out again the shadows were deepening and the
+warmth of the afternoon was vanishing.</p>
+<p>Sheriff McCurdy started the motor of their
+boat and Bob pulled up the mud-covered anchor.
+With the motor throttle well down they started
+for Lost Island and Bob was thankful that their
+boat had an underwater exhaust which it was almost
+impossible to hear.</p>
+<p>After leaving the shelter of the bayou, Sheriff
+McCurdy operated their boat with extreme caution
+and just before they came within sight of
+Lost Island he stopped the boat and spoke to Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We may be poking our heads into a hornet&rsquo;s
+nest,&rdquo; he warned. &ldquo;Want to go on or wait until
+additional federal men can get to Atalissa and we
+can bring them down here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That might be too late,&rdquo; decided Bob. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll
+go on.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_231">[231]</div>
+<p>The sheriff started the motor and once more
+they were in forward motion, the bow of their
+small boat knifing its way through the waters of
+a larger lagoon.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_232">[232]</div>
+<h2 id="c32"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXXII</span></span>
+<br />LOST ISLAND AHEAD<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Ahead of them lay a long, low mass of
+tangled undergrowth.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lost Island,&rdquo; said the sheriff cryptically
+and Bob felt his blood beating faster. It
+was toward this spot that the black speed boat
+sighted by the barber had been going and it was
+also toward this spot that Joe Hamsa had been
+hurrying in the gray motorboat.</p>
+<p>The motor of their own boat died suddenly and
+Bob looked toward the sheriff, whose face was
+still dimly discernible in the faint light.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No more noise; we&rsquo;ll use oars from now on.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob helped put the oars in their sockets. There
+were two pairs and they bent their backs to the
+task of rowing.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_233">[233]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;This may be an all night job,&rdquo; grunted the
+sheriff, &ldquo;but it will be worth it if I can catch up
+with the fellow who threw me out of the car last
+night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The boat, although not large, was heavy and in
+less than half an hour Bob had blisters on both
+hands and his back ached mightily.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ease up a bit,&rdquo; advised the sheriff. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll
+drift along here and rest.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob welcomed the chance to straighten up and
+he let the oars rest in the oarlocks while he stood
+up in the boat.</p>
+<p>A flicker of light to the left caught his eye
+and he spoke quietly to the sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a light to your left,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Stand
+up and look at it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Sheriff McCurdy stood up in the stern.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I expected something like this,&rdquo; he grunted.
+&ldquo;Might as well rest a bit, though, for I&rsquo;ve too
+many kinks in my back now to think of a good
+scrap.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The boat drifted gently and the sheriff told
+what he knew about the island.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_234">[234]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;This is one of the highest parts,&rdquo; he explained,
+&ldquo;and one of the driest. Not much swamp right
+here and the footing should be good. On the other
+side there&rsquo;s an old pier and a sort of hunting house
+that was built years ago by some northerners. I
+expect we&rsquo;ll find the men we want over there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob was too impatient to rest very long, and
+at his insistence, they took up the oars again and
+turned the bow of their boat toward shore.</p>
+<p>Moving like a shadow and with as little noise,
+they guided their craft in toward the island. The
+bow stuck in soft mud three or four feet from the
+shore and the sheriff grunted his distaste.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have to wade in,&rdquo; he complained. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll
+get wet and that will make my rheumatism bad
+again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob dropped their anchor over into the mud
+and the sheriff stuck two of the spark plugs from
+the motor in his pocket, effectively disabling the
+boat from use.</p>
+<p>With Bob in the lead, they dropped over the
+side. The muck and ooze was cold and slimy and
+Bob felt his legs plowing in about six inches of
+the clammy stuff. Fortunately they were ashore
+in about four long strides.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_235">[235]</div>
+<p>They paused long enough to loosen the guns in
+their shoulder holsters and to look at the safeties
+on their rifles. Then, with the sheriff in the lead,
+they started for the far side of the narrow island.</p>
+<p>There was plenty of underbrush, but the
+ground was firm, and by treading cautiously, they
+made progress without making much noise.</p>
+<p>From a little knoll which they ascended they
+could look down on the other side of the island
+and the light which Bob had seen from a distance
+was plainly visible.</p>
+<p>It was a torch of some kind and was apparently
+mounted on a rather tall pole, for the flame flickered
+in the light breeze which was sweeping in
+from the open sea.</p>
+<p>Moving even more cautiously than before,
+Bob and the sheriff started down for the camp
+which they knew must be in the blackness beyond
+the light.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_236">[236]</div>
+<h2 id="c33"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXXIII</span></span>
+<br />OUT OF THE NIGHT<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>It was a dismal adventure and it took real
+courage to move even another step forward,
+but Bob was driven on by the thought that
+his uncle might be on the island and that success
+tonight would bring about his return and smash
+the ring of smugglers he had been assigned to
+break up.</p>
+<p>As they neared the light it was plain that the
+flare was mounted on a pole about twenty feet
+tall and Bob stopped the sheriff.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That looks like a beacon for a plane,&rdquo; he
+muttered.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If it is, it fits in with your theory that they&rsquo;ll
+land the smuggled gems by plane,&rdquo; replied Sheriff
+McCurdy.</p>
+<p>They went on, treading easily and giving the
+circle of light cast by the flare a wide birth.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_237">[237]</div>
+<p>Against the blackness of the waters of a broad
+bayou which flanked the other side of Lost Island
+loomed the outline of a ramshackle structure and
+though the windows appeared to be boarded up,
+faint rays of light crept through a number of
+cracks. Bob half stumbled on a stick and the
+noise brought the quick baying of a hound.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re in for it now,&rdquo; said the sheriff, and Bob
+felt that trouble, and serious trouble, was just
+ahead.</p>
+<p>A door in the house was thrown open and
+against the oblong of light could be seen the silhouette
+of a man. Then he stepped out into the
+night, to be followed by a second man, stockier
+and heavier than the first.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Stay down,&rdquo; whispered the sheriff. &ldquo;Maybe
+they&rsquo;ll miss us. We don&rsquo;t want trouble now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Before the men could leave the shelter of the
+house, the low drone of an incoming plane could
+be heard. Bob turned toward the east. A red and
+green light, marking the wing tips of a plane, were
+visible. The craft was low and evidently coming
+in fast.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_238">[238]</div>
+<p>Even above the noise of the plane, they could
+hear a shouted command near the old house, and
+one of the men who had stepped outside turned
+on a flash light and raced toward the pier, some
+distance away. He was followed, at a slower
+pace by the second man.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Hamsa, I&rsquo;m sure,&rdquo; said Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s get inside and see if anyone is there,&rdquo;
+said Sheriff McCurdy and they moved around so
+that the house was between them and the pier.</p>
+<p>Landing lights of the plane blinked on as it
+circled over them and once the powerful beams
+swept down on the clearing, but Bob and the
+Sheriff, anticipating that, had dropped to the
+ground behind an old log and were safe, for the
+moment, from discovery.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Must be either a seaplane or an amphibian,&rdquo;
+said Bob as the plane prepared to alight on the
+water.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get inside,&rdquo; urged the sheriff, who would
+feel better when he had some shelter.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_239">[239]</div>
+<p>The two men on the pier were concentrating
+their attention on the plane swinging over the
+lagoon and the hound which had sounded the
+alarm was beside them, so it was a comparatively
+simple matter for Bob to jump across the
+threshold.</p>
+<p>Inside the door, where only an oil lamp cast
+faint illumination, he crouched with his rifle in
+his hands, accustoming his eyes to the light. There
+was, apparently, no one in the room.</p>
+<p>He spoke softly to the sheriff, who was waiting
+just outside.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All clear; come on!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With one bound the sheriff was inside and like
+Bob he had his rifle ready for instant action.</p>
+<p>Squinting between cracks in the wall, the
+sheriff watched the action in the lagoon. The
+plane smacked the surface of the water sharply
+and came to rest several hundred feet from the
+end of the old pier. The men waiting there put
+out in a motorboat, making directly for the
+plane, which was bobbing around on the waves
+which it had stirred up in the quiet waters.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_240">[240]</div>
+<h2 id="c34"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXXIV</span></span>
+<br />IN THE SHANTY<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Sheriff McCurdy turned from the wall and
+watched Bob open the door to the second
+room. He saw the young federal agent
+drop to his knees and his gun clatter while a
+choked sob escaped from Bob&rsquo;s lips.</p>
+<p>The sheriff crossed the room in several bounds
+and bent down over Bob, who was kneeling beside
+the bound and gagged figure of a man.</p>
+<p>Without asking questions, the sheriff handed
+Bob a knife and the ropes and gag were slashed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Uncle Merritt, Uncle Merritt,&rdquo; cried Bob.
+&ldquo;Speak to me.&rdquo; There was desperation in his
+voice.</p>
+<p>Merritt Hughes opened his eyes and tried to
+smile. His lips and tongue were swollen from the
+gag, but the expression in his eyes gave Bob
+courage.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_241">[241]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;d better get him out of here,&rdquo; said Bob.
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;ll be back and we won&rsquo;t be ready for
+them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Before they could turn, a harsh laugh echoed
+through the room and the heavy voice of Joe
+Hamsa lashed at them.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re not going any place, boys, except
+where I want you to and you&rsquo;ll never return
+from there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob started to move, but a quick command
+from Hamsa stopped him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t move kid. I&rsquo;ve got a machine gun on
+you and my finger is nervous. Turn around
+slowly and don&rsquo;t either one of you try any gunplay.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They started to turn slowly when Bob was
+amazed by a quick gesture of his uncle&rsquo;s. Hidden
+in the heavy shadow of the little room which adjoined
+the larger one, he reached up and like a
+flash seized the revolver which was in the shoulder
+holster. There wasn&rsquo;t even the rustle of Bob&rsquo;s
+coat as the gun was whisked away and Bob continued
+to turn slowly toward Hamsa.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_242">[242]</div>
+<p>The man who had claimed to be a diamond
+salesman was standing in the doorway, a machine
+gun in his hands. Behind him was a man with a
+scar, whom Bob recognized from the descriptions
+obtained in Jacksonville must have been the abductor
+of his uncle. To the rear of these two was
+a slender chap, little older than Bob and with a
+thin face. He was in a flyer&rsquo;s outfit and in his
+hands carried a soft leather case.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get their guns, Rap,&rdquo; barked Hamsa, and
+the man with the scar came forward, his hands
+patting the sheriff for weapons. The gun was
+taken from the shoulder holster and the rifle was
+tossed across the room.</p>
+<p>The man known as Rap then turned to Bob
+and his hands found the empty holster.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Gun&rsquo;s gone,&rdquo; said Rap flatly and without expression.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Where?&rdquo; demanded Hamsa.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lost in the brush,&rdquo; fibbed Bob.</p>
+<p>The answer seemed to satisfy them and Rap
+took the rifle from Bob&rsquo;s hands.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_243">[243]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Take this gun and keep those fellows covered
+while Curt and I check over the stuff he brought
+in,&rdquo; ordered Hamsa, handing his weapon to Rap
+while the fellow, whom he had called Curt, strode
+into the room and placed his black leather case on
+the rough table.</p>
+<p>Bob gasped as the velvet lined case was opened
+and scores of gleaming diamonds were revealed.
+A king&rsquo;s fortune was spread on the table in front
+of them and Hamsa, an ugly light in his eyes,
+looked at his captives.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So you federal men thought you were smart
+enough for Joe Hamsa?&rdquo; he chortled. &ldquo;Well, this
+is your last assignment. You&rsquo;ve seen me and
+you&rsquo;ve seen how we bring in the stuff. This is my
+last job. I&rsquo;ll make a cool million on it. Think it
+over.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He turned back to the pile of gems and ran
+them through his stubby fingers, gloating at the
+wealth that was on the table.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What are we going to do now?&rdquo; asked Curt.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sink your plane and the gray boat. We&rsquo;ll use
+the black one for a getaway and we&rsquo;ll burn this
+place before we leave.&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_244">[244]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;How about the federal men?&rdquo; The flyer
+gestured toward Bob and the others.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Maybe we&rsquo;ll sink them, too,&rdquo; said Hamsa and
+there was deadly mirth in his words.</p>
+<p>The man known as Rap started to laugh, but
+a sharp explosion back of Bob turned the laugh
+into a sob and Rap, gasping for breath, sank to
+the floor.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_245">[245]</div>
+<h2 id="c35"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXXV</span></span>
+<br />REVERSING THE TABLES<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>Hamsa whirled toward the officers, a gun
+in his right hand. Before he could use it,
+there was another explosion and Hamsa
+reeled back against the wall, his right arm hanging
+limp and useless, the gun which it had held falling
+to the floor.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t move!&rdquo; The command was low and
+husky, but there was authority in the words and
+Bob, out of the corner of one eye, saw his uncle
+step out of the small room to the rear. From this
+position of advantage he had disabled Rap, the
+machine gunner, and wounded Hamsa. Curt, the
+flyer, had his hands in the air.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pick up their guns, Bob,&rdquo; commanded his
+uncle and Bob picked up the machine gun and the
+revolver Hamsa had dropped.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Search them!&rdquo;</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_246">[246]</div>
+<p>This time the sheriff stepped forward and with
+hands long experienced in that kind of work,
+searched even the hats of the others. A gun was
+taken from the flyer and a stubby but deadly
+pistol from Rap. These were placed on the table
+beside the glittering pile of diamonds.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Got any handcuffs, sheriff?&rdquo; asked Bob&rsquo;s
+uncle after the young federal agent introduced
+his ally.</p>
+<p>Two small, compact pairs were produced from
+the capacious pockets of the peace officer. One
+pair was snapped on Hamsa and the other on
+Curt and Rap.</p>
+<p>While Bob and his uncle went about the task
+of giving first aid to Rap and Hamsa, the sheriff
+went down to the old wharf to inspect the boats.</p>
+<p>When he returned, the bandaging was done,
+for neither wound was serious.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We can start any time you want to,&rdquo; he informed
+the federal men.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_247">[247]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Take these fellows down. We&rsquo;ll be along
+shortly,&rdquo; replied Merritt Hughes, and when
+Hamsa and his allies had been led away by the
+sheriff, he sat down on one side of the table and
+motioned for Bob to take a seat opposite him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s hear your side of the story, Bob,&rdquo; said
+his uncle as he sat down, massaging the red marks
+which the tightly tied ropes had made on his
+hands.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_248">[248]</div>
+<h2 id="c36"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXXVI</span></span>
+<br />UNTANGLING THE WEB<br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<p>It was a strange setting, the rays from the
+kerosene lamp on the table throwing a soft
+glow over the diamonds which were still
+heaped on the black velvet.</p>
+<p>Bob was anxious to tell his own story, but first
+he wanted to know about his uncle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sure you&rsquo;re all right?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, my arms and legs are still a little numb
+and I can&rsquo;t talk any too well, but I&rsquo;m coming
+around fast now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob launched into a detailed explanation of all
+of the events which had taken place since the disappearance
+of his uncle in Jacksonville.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Luckiest thing that ever happened to me was
+when I ran into the sheriff,&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_249">[249]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;No doubt about it,&rdquo; agreed his uncle. Then he
+went on, &ldquo;The men we captured tonight are the
+brains of the gang. From what Hamsa said after
+he got here this afternoon I gathered that two
+more members of the gang were picked up by
+you and Condon Adams last night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; said Bob. &ldquo;But I can&rsquo;t figure
+out how Hamsa got down here so soon and I
+thought he&rsquo;d never get out of the river he fell
+into on the way down from Washington.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hamsa is a tough customer,&rdquo; said Merritt
+Hughes. &ldquo;He has a tremendous physique and was
+able to swim to shore. Then he chartered a private
+plane and came south.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve been running in the diamonds by
+plane all the time,&rdquo; said Bob.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Curt has been their pilot. He&rsquo;s got a fast
+amphibian and last night he made contact with
+Hamsa near Atalissa and informed him that a
+large consignment would be delivered tonight.
+They were careful to make only the contacts
+with the smuggled gems here to keep suspicions
+away from this island.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Where did Curt get the gems?&rdquo; Bob wanted
+to know.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_250">[250]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;They were brought over from Europe aboard
+tramp steamers. Curt would contact the ships well
+off the coast and then fly the smuggled stuff in at
+night. They were careful about the type of gems
+they brought in. Why these diamonds on the table
+could be sold almost any place without suspicion.
+In fact, Hamsa actually went around the country
+peddling them to customers who had no idea that
+they were smuggled property.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob, leaning back in his chair, looked at his
+uncle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You must have been brought directly here,&rdquo;
+he said.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just as fast as the fellow they call Rap could
+get me here. Hamsa had been in Washington.
+Somehow he got wind that Department of Justice
+men were being put on his trail and he learned
+that Adams and I had been sent south. It was up
+to Rap to get us out of the way. Then Hamsa
+came down and it was just luck that he met you
+and Tully on the train. What looked like a bad
+situation for us turned out all right.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Bob chuckled.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_251">[251]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Won&rsquo;t Tully be sore when he learns that the
+whole case has been cleared up without him getting
+even as far as Jacksonville.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t worry about Tully, Bob. This is
+another feather in your cap. Just keep plugging
+away and you&rsquo;ll get toward the top in the Department
+mighty fast.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Merritt Hughes bent down and gathered up
+the smuggled gems, wrapping them in the velvet
+and replacing them in the leather case.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We might as well destroy this place so that it
+will no longer be used for such purposes,&rdquo; he said,
+and as he stepped out of the door behind Bob he
+aimed a shot at the kerosene lamp. A sheet of
+flame spread through the interior of the shanty
+and the dry wood crackled lustily as the fire ate
+into it.</p>
+<p>The glow of the burning shanty illuminated
+the clearing and they found their way easily to
+the old wharf where Sheriff McCurdy and his
+prisoners were waiting for them. Further out the
+amphibian was drifting at its anchor.</p>
+<div class="pb" id="Page_252">[252]</div>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have to leave that for another trip,&rdquo;
+smiled Merritt Hughes. &ldquo;Sheriff, let&rsquo;s start for
+town. I&rsquo;m hungry and sleepy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With their three captives in the bow, Bob and
+his uncle just behind them and the sheriff at the
+wheel at the rear, they started out of the bayou,
+another successful chapter written in the bureau
+of investigation&rsquo;s war on crime.</p>
+<p class="tbcenter"><span class="small">THE END</span></p>
+<h2><span class="small">Transcriber&rsquo;s Notes</span><br /><span class="smaller">&#9733;</span></h2>
+<ul><li>Copyright notice provided as in the original&mdash;this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li>
+<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.</li>
+<li>In the text versions only, delimited italicized text by <i>underscores</i>.</li></ul>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
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+End of Project Gutenberg's Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery, by Graham M. Dean
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+</body>
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+Project Gutenberg's Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery, by Graham M. Dean
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery
+       A Story of Thrilling Exploits of the G-Men
+
+Author: Graham M. Dean
+
+Release Date: January 29, 2014 [EBook #44786]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AGENT NINE AND THE JEWEL MYSTERY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               Agent Nine
+                                and the
+                             Jewel Mystery
+
+
+                                  _By_
+                             Graham M. Dean
+                               Author of
+                       _Agent Nine's First Case_
+
+                                   *
+
+                     _A Story of Thrilling Exploits
+                            of the "G" Men_
+
+
+                                  The
+                      Goldsmith Publishing Company
+                                CHICAGO
+
+
+                          _Copyright 1935, by
+                   The Goldsmith Publishing Company_
+             _Manufactured in the United States of America_
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER                                                           PAGE
+  I. AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION                                        15
+  II. A NEW CASE                                                      25
+  III. "GOOD LUCK"                                                    35
+  IV. TULLY'S CHALLENGE                                               41
+  V. ON THE SOUTHERN LIMITED                                          45
+  VI. STRANGE EVENTS                                                  54
+  VII. THE MAN ON THE PLATFORM                                        64
+  VIII. TULLY'S PAPERS VANISH                                         73
+  IX. BOB GETS A WARNING                                              84
+  X. IN CAR 43                                                        93
+  XI. DOUBLE DANGER                                                   99
+  XII. A NEW MYSTERY                                                 110
+  XIII. GOING ON                                                     117
+  XIV. THE LIGHTS GO OUT                                             125
+  XV. IN THE AISLE                                                   132
+  XVI. FIGHTING FOR LIFE                                             139
+  XVII. INTO ANGRY WATERS                                            144
+  XVIII. PICKING UP CLUES                                            149
+  XIX. THE WARNING                                                   156
+  XX. MEAGER HOPES                                                   162
+  XXI. SPECIAL AGENT NINE                                            167
+  XXII. A HARD ASSIGNMENT                                            174
+  XXIII. SNAP AIM SCORES                                             186
+  XXIV. AT THE HOSPITAL                                              190
+  XXV. BOB GETS READY                                                195
+  XXVI. "DON'T MOVE!"                                                199
+  XXVII. SHERIFF MCCURDY TALKS                                       207
+  XXVIII. THEORIES                                                   211
+  XXIX. MORE CLUES                                                   216
+  XXX. READY FOR ACTION                                              222
+  XXXI. A BOAT FLASHES PAST                                          227
+  XXXII. LOST ISLAND AHEAD                                           232
+  XXXIII. OUT OF THE NIGHT                                           236
+  XXXIV. IN THE SHANTY                                               240
+  XXXV. REVERSING THE TABLES                                         245
+  XXXVI. UNTANGLING THE WEB                                          248
+
+
+
+
+                           AGENT NINE AND THE
+                             JEWEL MYSTERY
+
+
+                                   *
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter I
+                       AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob Houston, the youngest agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
+stepped out of the Department of Justice Building and turned toward home,
+his heart beating faster than it had in months. It hardly seemed real but
+he was now a full-fledged agent in the greatest man hunting division in
+the Federal Government.
+
+Bob paused a moment at the curb. Another man who had emerged from the
+justice building joined him. It was his uncle, Merritt Hughes, one of the
+most famous detectives in the department. He put his arm around Bob's
+shoulders and shook him in a rough but friendly embrace.
+
+"Well, Bob, how does it feel to be a real federal agent?" he asked.
+
+It was a moment before Bob replied, and when he finally spoke the words
+came slowly.
+
+"I hardly know," he confessed, "as yet it doesn't seem real, but there is
+one thing I do know--I'm going to work night and day to make a success of
+this new job."
+
+"Don't worry about making a success," advised his uncle. "You've got the
+stuff to make good or you wouldn't have been taken into the department."
+
+"When do you think I'll get my first assignment on a new case?" asked
+Bob.
+
+"That's hard to say," replied the famous detective, "but if I were you
+I'd go home now and get a good night's sleep. In this kind of a game
+you'd better sleep when you can."
+
+"Then I'm headed for home now," said Bob. "Good night, and thanks for all
+you've done for me."
+
+With that the young federal agent strode off down the avenue, his lungs
+drinking in great gulps of the cool air of the fall night.
+
+Merritt Hughes stood on the curb of the justice building watching his
+nephew until Bob turned the corner a block away. Anyone noticing the
+federal agent would have seen a slight smile of pleasure on his lips and
+he might have guessed that Merritt Hughes was greatly pleased by the
+events which had happened in the preceding hours.
+
+As a matter of fact, Bob Houston, a plain clerk in the archives division
+of the War Department, temporarily a provisional federal agent, had been
+the key figure in preventing the theft of some of Uncle Sam's most
+valuable radio secrets.
+
+Through Bob's efforts a daring plot had been thwarted and the men
+responsible taken into custody. As a reward for this brilliant work, Bob
+had been made a full-fledged agent of the famous bureau of investigation
+of the Department of Justice.
+
+There were many thoughts in Bob's mind as he strode toward home that
+night. Only that afternoon he had led the raid on the east shore of
+Maryland which had resulted in the apprehension of the gang which had
+been attempting to steal the radio secrets. Then, after the return to
+Washington, had come eventful hours.
+
+Bob would never forget the scene in the office of Waldo Edgar, chief of
+the bureau of investigation, when Mr. Edgar had informed Bob that he was
+a regular federal agent and had presented his credentials to him.
+
+Just to make sure that he wasn't dreaming, Bob pulled a small leather
+wallet from an inside coat pocket and paused under a street light to look
+at its contents. There was no mistake. There in the wallet was a small
+gold badge which denoted his office and the finely engraved card which
+marked his identification. Bob replaced the wallet with a particular glow
+of satisfaction and continued toward home.
+
+The night air was raw and Bob increased his pace as he neared the
+building where he made his home. He turned in at the entrance and made
+his way up to the third floor where he had a comfortable room in a rear
+apartment.
+
+Bob unlocked the door and snapped on the light. It was a typical man's
+room with a large chiffonier and a deep clothes closet in one wall. There
+was a reading light near the head of the bed and beside this a large easy
+chair with a book rack. A number of books and magazines were scattered on
+this rack, and usually Bob sat down to read for a time before going to
+bed; but tonight he was too tired to read and he undressed rapidly.
+
+Tired though he was, sleep was slow in coming to him as his mind went
+over the events of recent hours. Bob wondered just what Tully Ross was
+thinking and doing, for Tully had been his rival in seeking a solution to
+the mystery of the radio secrets.
+
+Tully, also a clerk in the archives division of the War Department, had
+an uncle, Condon Adams, who, like Merritt Hughes, was a federal agent.
+Both Tully and his uncle had worked on the radio case, but by dint of
+Bob's good fortune and sharp detective work Bob and his uncle had solved
+the case before Tully and _his_ uncle could find the solution. In spite
+of this, Tully had been made an agent in the bureau of investigation and
+there was every indication that the rivalry which had started when they
+were clerks in the War Department would continue in their new work.
+
+Bob was just dropping asleep when the telephone beside his bed rang
+sharply. He turned on the light and picked up the instrument, all thought
+of sleep now gone from his mind. Could it be his first assignment?
+
+"Hello? Hello?" said Bob anxiously.
+
+But there was no reply over the wire and Bob clicked the receiver hook
+several times, finally deciding that the call must have been the wrong
+number.
+
+When Bob finally did get to sleep he slept with the heaviness of complete
+nervous and physical exhaustion. It was mid-forenoon and the sun was
+streaming in his windows when he finally awakened. There had been no
+instructions to him on when to report for his new work and he took a
+shower and dressed leisurely.
+
+Bob stepped out of the apartment building and took a deep breath of the
+crisp air of the mid-fall morning. Then he walked down the street to a
+small shop where he usually had his breakfast.
+
+After ordering his breakfast he picked up a morning paper on his table
+and his eyes instantly focused on the headlines in the center of the
+front page:
+
+             "FEDERAL AGENTS CAPTURE GANG OF RADIO THIEVES"
+
+Bob read the story with avid attention. Here in detail was related on the
+front page of one of the nation's great newspapers the complete story of
+the part he had played in rounding up the gang of radio thieves. Bob
+looked up from the paper. His face felt flushed and he knew he appeared
+highly self-conscious, but no one seemed to be noticing him and he
+resumed his reading of the story.
+
+It was evident that the reporter who had written the story must have
+obtained his information from a federal agent, but Bob knew that there
+was a rule in the department that all information of this type must come
+from the head of the department. He was quite sure that Waldo Edgar had
+not given out the story. As Bob read further the conviction grew that
+Tully Ross must have supplied the facts for the newspaper story, for a
+great deal of credit had been given to Tully for things which he had not
+done.
+
+Bob dropped the paper in disgust. That was just like Tully to attempt to
+claim credit for something which someone else had done.
+
+Bob finished his breakfast, paid his bill and started walking toward the
+Department of Justice Building. He had gone a little more than a block
+when a car pulled along the curb and the driver stuck his head out the
+window.
+
+"Want a lift, Bob?" asked a pleasant voice and Bob turned to face
+Lieutenant Gibbons, War Department intelligence officer, who had helped
+him in the solution of the radio mystery.
+
+Bob climbed into the coupe and Lieutenant Gibbons sent the car shooting
+down the avenue, dodging in and out of the heavy mid-forenoon stream of
+traffic.
+
+"Quite a story in the morning papers," smiled the lieutenant.
+
+Bob nodded.
+
+"Looks like Tully Ross has been doing a little personal press agenting,"
+he said. "Personally, I'm not very strong for that sort of thing."
+
+"Neither am I," said the lieutenant, "but some people seem to live on a
+diet of publicity and I guess Tully is one of that kind."
+
+The lieutenant wheeled his coupe up in front of the Department of Justice
+Building and Bob stepped out.
+
+"Thanks a lot for the lift," he said.
+
+"Oh, that's all right, Bob. I wonder when we'll be working on a case
+again?"
+
+"That's hard to say," grinned Bob. "Hope it will be soon."
+
+With that he turned and entered the building while Lieutenant Gibbons
+resumed his journey.
+
+Bob took an elevator to the top floor where the head of the bureau of
+investigation had his offices. A clerk in the anteroom took his name and
+looked up sharply as he consulted an appointment chart on his desk.
+
+"I think Mr. Edgar is expecting you," he said, "for your name is on his
+call list this morning."
+
+Bob looked eagerly at the clerk.
+
+"Does this mean I'm going to be assigned to a case?" he asked.
+
+"I can't say," replied the clerk, "but I shouldn't be surprised. I'll
+send in your name at once. Just have a seat and wait for a few minutes."
+
+Bob was the only one in the anteroom and he sat down on a padded bench
+beside the clerk's desk, with a growing feeling that within a few minutes
+he would be called in and assigned on his first case as a full time
+federal agent.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter II
+                               A NEW CASE
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob had been waiting in the anteroom less than five minutes when the door
+banged open and Tully Ross almost catapulted into the room. Tully was
+about the last person in the world that Bob wanted to see just then but
+he grinned and made the best of it.
+
+"Hello, Tully. What's all the hurry?" he asked.
+
+Tully stopped abruptly and stared at Bob. There was no friendliness in
+the glance that swept Bob from head to foot.
+
+"I didn't expect to see you here," he blurted out.
+
+"That goes for me, too," replied Bob. "That was quite a story you gave
+the reporters last night."
+
+A deep flush swept over Tully's face but he was quick to deny the
+implications in Bob's words.
+
+"What story do you mean?" he asked sharply.
+
+"I guess you know what I mean," said Bob evenly. "I thought it was a rule
+of this department not to give out news stories."
+
+"You're on the wrong track," Tully insisted; but Bob knew by the
+expression on Tully's face that Tully had given out the news story,
+thereby violating one of the rules of the department.
+
+Tully sat down on a bench on the other side of the room facing Bob. He
+was silent for less than a minute for he could not check his curiosity.
+
+"Have you been assigned to a case yet?" he asked. There was an envious
+note in his voice.
+
+"Not yet, but I expect to get an assignment soon," said Bob. "Have you a
+new assignment?"
+
+"I'm expecting one this morning," replied Tully confidently. "In fact,
+that's why I'm here."
+
+The clerk in charge of the room returned and asked Tully's name and
+business.
+
+"Mr. Edgar will be ready to see both of you in a minute or two," the
+clerk advised them.
+
+A buzzer on the clerk's desk whirred and the official stepped to the
+door, opened it and motioned for Bob and Tully to enter the private
+office.
+
+Waldo Edgar, the slender, wiry head of the bureau of investigation looked
+up from behind the pile of papers on his desk. Bob saw a copy of one of
+the morning papers spread out in front of the federal chief and he knew
+that both he and Tully were quite likely to be in for some unpleasant
+moments.
+
+"Good morning, boys," said Mr. Edgar, but there was little warmth in his
+voice and he left them standing in front of his desk as he pointed to the
+story in the paper in front of him. His gaze centered on Bob.
+
+"Are you responsible for this story, Bob?" he asked.
+
+The young federal agent's denial was quick and confident.
+
+"I didn't know a thing about the story until I read it at breakfast this
+morning," he said.
+
+"This seems to be a pretty accurate account of what actually took place
+in the roundup of the gang responsible for the theft of the radio
+secrets," said the federal chief. "The information could have been
+supplied only by someone in our own department and you know there is a
+rule against giving out such information."
+
+"I know there is such a rule," said Bob, "and I can assure you that I
+have talked to no one."
+
+Bob's straightforward words seemed to satisfy the federal chief and he
+shifted his gaze to Tully, who was standing uneasily on first one foot
+and then the other.
+
+"What have you to say for yourself, Tully?"
+
+The question was short and pointed and Bob saw Tully's eyes shift away
+from those of Waldo Edgar.
+
+"I guess I'm to blame for the story," confessed Tully. "You see it was
+this way--"
+
+But Tully's explanation was cut short.
+
+"I'm not interested in how you happened to talk," said the federal chief.
+"However, I am glad that you have admitted your indiscretion so readily.
+In the future be sure to keep this rule in mind. It is your job to solve
+the cases assigned to you and to keep out of the headlines and off the
+front pages of the newspapers. The less publicity we have the more
+effective can be our work."
+
+After delivering that short but pointed lecture Waldo Edgar picked up a
+file of papers on his desk and skimmed through them hurriedly.
+
+"I called both of you in at this time," he explained, "because I am
+assigning you on the same case."
+
+Bob glanced sharply at Tully and there was a deep scowl on his rival's
+face. The exchange of glances was not lost to Waldo Edgar for he was
+aware of the rivalry between his youngest agents.
+
+"I realize quite well that both of you are intensely interested in
+winning advancement in this department," he went on. "For that very
+reason I know that when I assign you to a case you will leave nothing
+undone until you find the solution. You may step on one another's toes in
+reaching your goal but you get results and that is what I want."
+
+The federal chief once more consulted the file on his desk.
+
+"The mission I am going to send you on is one which has baffled some of
+the best men in the customs service. In other words, I am counting on you
+two youngsters, with your enthusiasm and determination, to get to the
+bottom of one of the most difficult cases that has been assigned to this
+department in recent years."
+
+Bob, looking down at the desk in front of him, saw a number of letters
+which bore the insignia of the customs service. Several of them were
+post-marked from cities in Florida. In addition, there were several
+letters from Paris and London.
+
+"When I tell you that I am assigning you to this case, don't think I'm
+altogether foolish, for both Merritt Hughes and Condon Adams will be
+working with you," said the federal chief.
+
+Bob knew what that meant. There would be the same rivalry which had
+marked the radio mystery with Condon Adams and Tully Ross attempting to
+solve the case before Bob and his uncle could find the solution.
+
+"I have already had Adams and Hughes in here this morning and have
+explained in detail this case. They have departed on their own
+assignments and I shall expect both of you to be on your way to Florida
+early in the afternoon.
+
+"Briefly it will be your task to help bring to justice one of the most
+daring band of jewel smugglers that has ever operated between Europe and
+the United States. They are so clever and daring that they have defied
+the efforts of the best detectives in the customs service and we have
+been appealed to for aid in solving the case. Actually, we have very
+little to go upon.
+
+"Apparently this is a small but very versatile band of men. Just how they
+get the jewels into this country is one of the mysteries which you must
+solve. One of the few things that we do know is that they apparently are
+operating off the Florida coast, reaching this country by the means of
+small, fast boats. It is going to be your task to attempt to find the
+base along the Florida coast where they center their operations."
+
+Waldo Edgar swung around in his chair and turned to a large map of the
+United States which covered the entire wall behind his desk. He picked up
+a pointer and touched several spots on the Florida section on the map.
+
+"Bob," he instructed, "you are to proceed as rapidly as possible to
+Atalissa, a small town on the coast. That is to be your headquarters for
+we know that somewhere in the territory adjacent to Atalissa these
+smugglers have been operating. I must warn you now that you must use
+every precaution to keep your identity secret for this particular section
+of the Florida coast is not friendly toward federal men."
+
+The pointer in the hand of the federal chief moved further along the map
+until it paused once more at a coastal town.
+
+"You are to go to Nira," he instructed Tully. "I consider that this is as
+far south as the smugglers are operating while Atalissa is the northern
+point. Somewhere between these two bases I am sure you will be able to
+uncover information which will be of real value to us."
+
+Waldo Edgar turned back from the map and faced his young agents. There
+was just a trace of a smile on his lips.
+
+"Think you can handle this assignment?" he asked.
+
+Bob was the first to reply.
+
+"I'll handle it if I have to swim along the whole coast of Florida," he
+said.
+
+Waldo Edgar chuckled. "I don't think that will be necessary."
+
+"How about my uncle and Merritt Hughes?" asked Tully. "Will they be
+working in the same territory?"
+
+"Yes, they are working on the Florida angle of the case and I expect you
+to keep them advised of any developments which you are able to uncover.
+You can reach them in Jacksonville and their telephone number will be
+given to you before you leave Washington this afternoon. If you call here
+at one o'clock, your complete transportation and expense money will be
+ready for you as well as a written file of all the information which we
+now have about the jewel smugglers. Can you be ready by one o'clock?"
+
+"I can go now," said Bob.
+
+"Better go home and throw an extra shirt or two and some socks into a
+traveling bag," advised the federal chief. "I like to see plenty of
+enthusiasm, but you may be gone a good many weeks and you should be
+thoroughly prepared for a strenuous trip. If you have boots and some good
+heavy clothes, be sure to put them in your bag and by all means do not go
+unarmed."
+
+Waldo Edgar stood up and shook hands with each of them.
+
+"I will not see you again before you go, but I expect great things from
+both of you. I shall watch your reports with interest."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter III
+                              "GOOD LUCK"
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob and Tully left the office of the federal chief together and descended
+in the same elevator to the first floor. Both of them were stirred by a
+strong feeling of elation for this was their first assignment since
+becoming federal agents.
+
+Bob would have liked to talk the case over with his uncle, but he knew
+now that Merritt Hughes was already on his way to Florida and whatever
+Bob was to do on the case he would have to do alone.
+
+"Seems to me you get all the best of these assignments," grumbled Tully.
+"I know something about Florida and Nira is just about the last place in
+the world I want to go to."
+
+"I don't see why you should complain," said Bob, "even though Nira may
+not be a very pleasant place, for you have a distinct advantage over me
+since I have never been to Florida."
+
+They parted as they walked out of the building, and Bob, hailing a
+taxicab, sped toward the apartment building where he made his home.
+
+Packing was a comparatively simple thing for Bob. He pulled a serviceable
+but battered Gladstone bag out of the closet and opened it upon the bed.
+
+Fortunately he had a large supply of freshly laundered clothes and he
+packed one side of the bag solid with shirts, socks and underwear. That
+done he went back to the closet and rummaged around until he found an old
+hunting outfit of corduroy trousers and coat.
+
+From one corner of the closet he pulled a pair of heavy boots which were
+soft and pliable. The woolen socks which he pulled from the boots had
+been almost consumed by moths and Bob threw the socks away, making a
+mental note that he would have to buy more either in Washington or when
+he arrived in Florida.
+
+On the third trip to the closet Bob returned with a well-worn gun case in
+his hands. He opened the brown leather case and drew forth a special
+hunting rifle which had been given to him by his uncle several years
+before.
+
+The gun had received excellent care as the gleaming barrel indicated, and
+Bob, sitting down on the edge of the bed, caressed it with hands that
+were almost affectionate. He had nicknamed the gun "Ezekiel" after an
+eccentric old hunter he had known in his home town in Iowa.
+
+Bob, although not a remarkable shot with a rifle, could be classed as
+better than average, for his eyesight was good and his finger was steady
+in its pull on the trigger.
+
+The young federal agent examined the gun carefully. There was more than a
+good chance that it might be called into use if his Florida trip
+developed all of the possibilities Waldo Edgar had indicated. Bob sighted
+through the barrel of the gun and smiled to himself as he noted the
+cleanness of the bore, for he prided himself on the care which he had
+given the weapon.
+
+There was a small box of ammunition in the gun case and Bob examined the
+shells. They had been in the case for three months but there was no
+reason to believe that they had deteriorated for the gun case had been
+kept in a warm, dry place.
+
+Bob slipped the rifle back into the case, which was just long enough to
+fit into his Gladstone bag. He folded up his corduroy outfit and placed
+this on top of the rifle. Then the boots went in and on top of them he
+jammed several soft flannel shirts that could be worn a reasonable time
+without laundering. It was impossible to foretell just what he would
+encounter in Florida and he wanted to be prepared for every possible
+emergency.
+
+The packing had taken longer than Bob had expected and when he looked at
+his watch he realized that there was little time to lose if he expected
+to reach the justice department building for his one o'clock appointment.
+Bob jammed his shaving outfit in on top of his clothes and closed the
+bag. It fairly bulged with the articles he had packed away and the big
+case was both clumsy and heavy to carry.
+
+Bob looked around his room as he paused at the door. It might be weeks
+before he would return and he would miss the orderly pleasantness of the
+room with his comfortable chair and his excellent books.
+
+Then he closed and locked the door and walked down the hallway as rapidly
+as he could with his heavy bag. He summoned a taxi and started for the
+Department of Justice Building where detailed instructions were awaiting
+him.
+
+The ride down town took less than ten minutes and Bob reached the
+building at five minutes to one, just in time to see Tully Ross precede
+him through the main entrance.
+
+Bob paid his taxi fare and then left his heavy bag at the information
+desk on the main floor while he was whirled upward in an elevator. The
+same clerk who had greeted him that morning was on duty in the outer
+office and Tully, seated on a bench, was opening a large Manila envelope.
+
+"Your instructions, train tickets, expense money and data on the case are
+all in this envelope," said the clerk, handing a similar container to
+Bob. "Your train leaves at 1:30 so I suggest that you get to the station
+at once and then go into the details of this case after you are on your
+way south."
+
+"Thanks a lot," nodded Bob. "I'm on my way."
+
+"Good luck," said the clerk, who looked enviously after Bob, for after
+all there were not very many thrills in clerical work.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter IV
+                           TULLY'S CHALLENGE
+                                   *
+
+
+Tully Ross followed Bob into the elevator and they dropped toward the
+first floor.
+
+"I guess we're taking the same train as far as Jacksonville," said Tully.
+"What a pleasure that's going to be!"
+
+Tully's last words were sneering and vindictive, and a little of Bob's
+pent-up resentment burst out. Fortunately no one else was in the elevator
+at the time.
+
+"You'd better take inventory of yourself, Tully," advised Bob, "or you're
+going to run head-on into trouble. I haven't got it in for you and you
+can take full credit for anything that you do. Don't be so blamed
+suspicious of everything. You do your work and I'll do mine. The main
+thing is going to be to solve this case and I don't care who does it just
+as long as we are successful. If you'd only warm up a little we could go
+over this case on the way south this afternoon and we might have some
+ideas that we could both benefit by."
+
+Tully looked suspicious.
+
+"What are you getting at?" he asked.
+
+They were on the main floor again and passengers bound for the upper
+floors swept into the elevator.
+
+"We'll take a taxi together to the station and I'll tell you on the way
+there," said Bob.
+
+Tully had two smaller bags while Bob had only the large gladstone and
+they loaded the bags and themselves into a taxi and started for the union
+station.
+
+"I'm just trying to get at this," said Bob. "Both of us have chances for
+brilliant futures in this service if we don't let personal rivalry warp
+our better judgment. That was a shabby trick of yours in giving that
+story to the newspapers and I rather think you hoped that I would be
+blamed."
+
+Tully was silent and Bob went on.
+
+"I'm willing to let that pass and some other things that have happened if
+you feel that you're willing to work along with me on this case. The old
+saying that two heads are better than one is certainly true in this kind
+of work and we can both benefit by it. What do you say?"
+
+Bob's clear, blue eyes bored deep into Tully's brown ones and he held out
+his hand.
+
+Tully held Bob's gaze for a moment and then his eyes shifted uneasily. He
+made no motion to take Bob's proffered hand.
+
+"Well, if that's the way you feel about it, I'm glad that we have had a
+definite understanding," said Bob.
+
+"I guess that's the way it's got to be," said Tully slowly. "I don't like
+you, Bob, and there's no use in making any bones about it. I'm going to
+solve this case even if I have to step all over you in doing it."
+
+"Well, Tully, you just run along and do your best; but I'm serving fair
+warning on you right now that if you try to step on any of my toes,
+you'll wish you hadn't. There's only one way to play this game and that's
+to play it fair and square. I'm going to play it that way and I'm going
+to win and nothing that you can do will stop me. If it is humanly
+possible that case will be solved within the next few weeks."
+
+Tully looked squarely at Bob.
+
+"Is that a challenge?" he asked.
+
+"Call it anything you like."
+
+"Then I say that you won't solve it in two months if you solve it at
+all."
+
+"Two months it is," retorted Bob, "and by that I mean that every angle of
+this case will be cleaned up and either all of the men connected with it
+in federal custody or beyond our reach and you can put that down in
+writing if you want to."
+
+"I won't do that," sneered Tully, "for it might be too embarrassing to
+have to have it recalled when you fail."
+
+"I'm not going to fail," said Bob firmly, and although Tully wouldn't
+have admitted it at the time, he had a premonition that Bob was
+right--that he would not fail.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter V
+                        ON THE SOUTHERN LIMITED
+                                   *
+
+
+The taxi pulled up in front of the union station and Bob and Tully,
+spurning the offers of red caps, carried their luggage into the huge
+structure.
+
+The great terminal was alive with activity and through the loud speaker
+system the departures of half a dozen famous trains were being announced.
+
+Bob's Gladstone was too heavy to carry very far without shifting it from
+hand to hand. When he reached the train shed he put the bag down beside
+him and opened the envelope in which his tickets had been placed. His
+Pullman reservation called for lower five in car 43 on train number 7,
+the Southern Limited. Tully paused beside Bob.
+
+"Are you in car 43?" he asked.
+
+"Lower five," said Bob.
+
+"Humph," grunted Tully. "What luck I have. There must have been some
+mistake. I'm in upper five."
+
+"No, I don't think there was any mistake," grinned Bob as he visualized
+how Tully, who was inclined to stoutness, would look scrambling in and
+out of upper five that night. "Perhaps the clerk who made out these
+tickets thought you needed a little exercise."
+
+Picking up their bags they walked to the nearest train gate where the
+ticket inspector checked their tickets and waved them toward the Southern
+Limited, which was standing on track number three.
+
+Car 43, in which they were to make their journey southward, was near the
+center of the train and by the time Bob and Tully were comfortably seated
+in the car, the porters were making their final calls of "'bo-o-oard."
+The Southern Limited started slowly but easily picked up speed as the
+trucks clicked over the joints.
+
+Travel that day was light and there was only one other passenger on the
+car, a man who appeared to be about forty, short, dark, but marked with a
+distinguishing streak of grey in the center of his head. He was the type
+of man who, though he attracted attention, did not invite
+acquaintanceship.
+
+Tully continued to grumble at intervals, complaining that it was grossly
+unfair for Bob to have a lower berth while he was compelled to climb into
+an upper.
+
+But Bob ignored Tully's complaints. The train was soon speeding into
+Virginia and with the capital behind Bob took out the envelope with the
+history of the case they were working on. Since they were practically
+alone on the car it would be an ideal time to go over this material and
+memorize in detail all of the essential information contained in it.
+
+Tully likewise pulled out the heavy manila envelope which contained a
+copy of the same report Bob had in his hands but instead of reading it
+there Tully went forward into the smoking compartment. Bob knew that
+Tully did not smoke so it was obvious that Tully had gone forward simply
+to get away from him.
+
+There were a dozen closely typed sheets in the report and they reviewed
+in detail all of the activities of the jewel smugglers which were known
+to the federal officials. As he read, Bob was astounded at the daring
+with which the smuggling was conducted.
+
+The reports indicated clearly that the headquarters for the smuggling
+operations must lie somewhere along the east coast of Florida and the
+names of both Nira and Atalissa appeared frequently in the typed reports.
+It was evident that at least half a dozen federal men, most of them in
+the customs service, had been working on the case at various times.
+
+There was one paragraph in their report that struck Bob with unusual
+force. It read:
+
+"A conservative estimate of the amount of jewels which the gang has
+smuggled into this country in the last six months would be at least half
+a million dollars. There is no way of knowing just how extensive are
+their operations. Agents are especially warned to use great care in any
+approach to any members of this gang. Agents working on this case should
+go armed at all times. It is imperative that the men responsible for
+these operations be taken into custody at the earliest possible time."
+
+Bob read this paragraph several times and it brought home to him the
+possible dangers which he might face in the coming weeks.
+
+The other passenger in the car whose seat was behind Bob got up and went
+forward into the smoking compartment where Tully had gone previously.
+
+Bob looked up as the man went past him. The stranger was powerfully built
+and Bob especially noticed the breadth and strength of his hands.
+
+Bob thought little of the incident but hoped that Tully would have the
+good sense to put away the secret papers when the stranger entered the
+smoking compartment. As the train sped through the fertile Virginia farm
+lands the young federal agent continued his perusal of the report.
+
+The concluding paragraph was such that he read it three or four times.
+
+"From all information at hand, it appears obvious that not more than five
+men are involved in this smuggling enterprise. So far we have been unable
+to identify positively any member of the gang so all agents are doubly
+warned against any incautious remarks which might indicate the reason for
+their visit to Florida. In case of any unusual emergency notify
+headquarters by long distance telephone at once."
+
+Bob went back over the report again in detail and, when he had finished,
+placed it in the sturdy envelope, sealed it, and put it in his Gladstone
+bag. He felt now that he knew as much about the case as it was possible
+to learn until he actually reached Atalissa.
+
+After a time Bob walked forward and stepped into the smoking compartment
+where Tully and the stranger were engaged in animated conversation.
+
+Tully looked up but there was little warmth in his glance. That, however,
+did not deter Bob from sitting down on one of the comfortable leather
+upholstered benches. The stranger looked at Bob and a rather pleasant
+smile framed his lips.
+
+"Going to Florida?" he asked.
+
+"Jacksonville," said Bob laconically.
+
+"That's fine, I'm going there too. Hamsa, Joe Hamsa, is the name," said
+the stranger reaching over and extending his hand in greeting.
+
+Bob grasped the extended hand but he winced slightly at the strength of
+the other's grip.
+
+"I'm Bob Houston of Washington," replied Bob by way of introducing
+himself.
+
+"Going south on business or just taking a vacation?" asked Joe Hamsa and
+Bob thought there was a peculiar flicker in the other's eyes.
+
+"Well, it's a combination of both," replied Bob.
+
+"Wish I could say as much," went on Hamsa, "but it's all business with
+me. I'm glad you boys are on the car today. I don't like to travel alone
+and especially at night."
+
+Bob wondered just why Mr. Hamsa, who appeared perfectly capable of taking
+care of himself, did not care to travel alone. He was not in doubt long
+for Hamsa suddenly developed a voluble streak.
+
+"Diamonds are my specialty," he said, "and I've been held up once or
+twice. Believe me, there's no fun in that."
+
+Mr. Hamsa did not look particularly like the type of man who would submit
+to a holdup peacefully, and there was something about him that aroused
+suspicions in Bob's mind.
+
+The young federal agent glanced across the compartment to where Tully was
+seated and he was surprised to note that the papers in the confidential
+report on the smuggling ring were scattered on the seat beside Tully.
+
+What was even more astounding was the pallor of Tully's face, and the
+glassy stare in his eyes.
+
+"Tully," cried Bob, "what's the matter?"
+
+But there was no response from Tully except a slight twitching of his
+lips which indicated that he might be trying to answer.
+
+"Tully," repeated Bob, "what's the matter?"
+
+The sharp questions voiced by the young federal agent caused Hamsa also
+to turn and stare at Tully.
+
+Bob was less than six feet away from Tully, yet the other failed to
+answer his questions or to give any sign of recognition. He sat there
+like a man under a hypnotic spell.
+
+Bob leaped to his feet and in one long stride was beside Tully. With firm
+hands he grasped Tully's shoulders and shook him vigorously.
+
+Tully's head dropped forward on his chest and he seemed suddenly to
+collapse, sliding forward off the leather bench and falling to the floor.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter VI
+                             STRANGE EVENTS
+                                   *
+
+
+Tully's collapse came so suddenly that Bob was unable to check his fall
+to the floor, but he leaned down almost instantly and lifted Tully back
+on one of the benches.
+
+Bob's face was close to Tully's and he caught a whiff of an acrid smell
+on Tully's breath. His companion's breathing was slow and distinctly
+labored.
+
+Bob grasped one of Tully's wrists and checked the pulse beat. His
+knowledge of first aid was somewhat limited, but the steadiness of the
+pulse count reassured him and he decided that Tully had probably fallen
+victim to a sudden fainting attack.
+
+Joe Hamsa leaned over Bob and attempted to aid him in ministering to
+Tully.
+
+"Anything I can do?" he asked.
+
+"Get a cup of water," said Bob, and Hamsa hastened away to do his
+bidding. He was back soon with the paper cup brimming full of water. Bob
+moistened his handkerchief in this and bathed Tully's cheeks and forehead
+while Hamsa loosened his tie and collar, and massaged his wrists.
+
+Just then the Pullman conductor came into the compartment.
+
+"What's doing here?" he asked.
+
+Bob answered without looking up.
+
+"I think my companion suffered a fainting attack. Have you any smelling
+salts?"
+
+"I have some in my first aid kit up ahead," replied the conductor,
+departing to obtain it.
+
+He returned in less than a minute with the smelling salts and Bob gave
+Tully several deep sniffs from the pungent smelling bottle. The
+penetrating qualities of the salts seemed to reach Tully's subconscious
+mind and draw away the curtain which had clouded his consciousness. He
+made an effort to rouse himself but Bob speaking in a low voice forced
+him back on the leather bench.
+
+"Take it easy, Tully," he advised. "You'll feel stronger in a short
+time."
+
+Tully opened his eyes and stared at them. It was evident that he had no
+idea what had happened to him.
+
+Bob, who had been somewhat concerned when he saw the sheets of Tully's
+confidential report laying out in the open, now took time to look for
+them. They were still scattered on one of the leather benches and as far
+as Bob could determine they had not been disturbed. He reached out and
+with the sweep of one hand brushed them into a pile at one corner of the
+bench. Fortunately they had been turned face down, and Bob felt sure that
+there had been no opportunity for either Hamsa or the Pullman conductor
+to read the contents.
+
+Tully attempted to sit up and Bob's attention returned to his unfortunate
+traveling companion. Tully still appeared shaken but his eyes were
+clearer and once more there was a touch of color in his cheeks.
+
+Tully signalled that he would like a drink of water and Hamsa hurried
+away to fill another paper cup from the tank in the vestibule. When he
+returned Tully took several deep draughts of the water and he appeared
+greatly refreshed.
+
+"I don't know what happened," he mumbled, shaking his head slowly. "My
+mind seems so heavy. I can't think."
+
+"Better take it easy for a while," advised Bob. "Here, stretch out on
+this couch. I'll get the porter to bring you a blanket."
+
+Bob stepped out and called the porter who was in the other end of the
+car, and, thus far, unaware that anything unusual had taken place in the
+smoking compartment. At Bob's instructions he brought a blanket and
+placed it over Tully. Then he brought in a pillow and the federal agent
+was made as comfortable as possible.
+
+"Want me to make up a berth?" asked the porter, but Tully shook his head.
+
+"Not now. I'll be all right here. Just let me rest."
+
+Bob's keen eyes roved around the smoking compartment. The papers which
+had been in Tully's confidential envelope had been placed on the opposite
+couch, evidently by Hamsa or the Pullman conductor. Bob caught a quick
+glance from Tully and sensed that the other wanted the papers put away at
+once.
+
+The young federal agent stepped over to the leather couch, scooped up the
+sheets of typewritten paper, and placed them in the envelope.
+
+"Thanks," said Tully, when Bob handed the package to him. He slipped the
+documents into an inner pocket of his coat, closed his eyes, and was soon
+in a deep sleep.
+
+This might have been alarming had not Tully's breathing been deep and
+natural and the color in his cheeks more normal.
+
+"I think he's coming around all right," said Hamsa, who had remained in
+the smoking compartment. "Looks to me like it might have been an attack
+of acute indigestion."
+
+"Perhaps," agreed Bob, but for his own satisfaction he would have
+preferred to have a doctor examine Tully. He stepped outside into the
+corridor to speak to the Pullman conductor.
+
+"Do you know if there is a doctor on the train?" he asked.
+
+"I don't believe so. We're running light today but I'll find out; your
+friend any worse?"
+
+"No. He's better, but I'd like to find out just what happened to him."
+
+"I can wire ahead and have an ambulance meet us at the next division
+point," suggested the conductor.
+
+"I don't believe that will be necessary," replied Bob. "We're anxious to
+get to Jacksonville on this train. However, I wish you would ascertain if
+there is a doctor aboard."
+
+As the trainman hurried away, Bob stepped back into the smoking
+compartment. There was something definitely puzzling and disturbing about
+the sudden illness which had overtaken Tully, for the latter was usually
+in the best of health.
+
+Bob thought back over the days of their association in the archives
+division of the War Department, trying to remember if Tully had ever been
+the subject of sudden fainting spells. As far as he could recall, nothing
+like this had occurred before, which did not make his mind rest any
+easier.
+
+Hamsa wandered out of the smoking compartment and Bob and Tully were
+alone. Half an hour slipped by and Tully remained in the deep sleep.
+
+The train had stopped once, a long halt for coal and water, and it was
+after it resumed motion that the Pullman conductor returned to the
+compartment.
+
+"I've been all over the train, even into the day coaches ahead, and there
+isn't even a veterinarian aboard. Sure you don't want us to wire for an
+ambulance to meet you? We'll be in at the next division point in an hour
+and a half."
+
+"I'll let you know definitely a little later. If he doesn't rouse from
+this sleep, it may be necessary to do just that."
+
+"Anything more I can do?" asked the conductor, but Bob shook his head.
+
+"I'll stay here and watch him. If I need any help, I'll signal for the
+porter."
+
+The curtains at the doorway swished down behind the departing figure of
+the conductor, leaving Bob and Tully alone once more.
+
+The afternoon was waning as the train sped southward, the steady clicking
+of the trucks underneath indicating that the Limited was doing at least a
+mile a minute. The roadbed was smooth and the high speed did not make the
+car ride uncomfortably.
+
+While Tully was asleep, Bob studied his companion's face. Tully's
+features were really remarkably strong and if he made an effort to look
+pleasant he would have been a handsome young man. But his lips were
+inclined to a perpetual downward curve that made it appear that a steady
+scowl was on his face.
+
+Bob would have enjoyed liking Tully, for there were many qualities in the
+other that were outstanding. For instance, Tully was sturdy and he had
+the power to drive steadily toward a goal once he set his ambition to
+that end. It was too bad that he let personal feelings creep into his
+work and sway his better judgment, such as challenging Bob to beat him to
+a solution of the jewel smuggling case.
+
+Bob was a better than average judge of character and he knew that Tully
+would worry so much about what he was doing that Tully's own keen mind
+would be somewhat dulled on the case. For that reason Bob had not
+hesitated to take up the challenge.
+
+The Limited plunged into a short but heavy rain storm and drops of water
+streamed down the windows. It was not an especially auspicious beginning
+to their manhunt.
+
+Tully moved restlessly and Bob thought for a time that his companion was
+about to wake up, but Tully's breathing deepened once more and his eyes
+remained closed.
+
+Joe Hamsa stuck his head into the compartment.
+
+"Any change?" he asked, and Bob thought he appeared a little too
+solicitous for a passing acquaintance.
+
+"I think he's resting easier," replied Bob.
+
+"Are you going to take him to a hospital?" asked Hamsa, pressing Bob for
+further information on his plans.
+
+"I haven't decided yet."
+
+"Let me know if there is anything I can do," volunteered the other. It
+was apparent that he would have liked an invitation to stay in the room,
+but Bob turned toward the rain-washed windows and after a brief pause
+Hamsa dropped the curtain at the doorway and walked back into the
+Pullman.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter VII
+                        THE MAN ON THE PLATFORM
+                                   *
+
+
+Tully remained in the deep sleep for another fifteen minutes. Then he
+stirred restlessly and Bob went over to his side. As he looked down Tully
+opened his eyes. They appeared clear and perfectly normal.
+
+Tully attempted to sit up, but Bob put his hands on his shoulders and
+gently pushed him back on the couch.
+
+"Take it easy for a while, Tully," he said.
+
+"What happened?" the other demanded, and Bob noted that the words were
+slow and his speech thick.
+
+Then before he could answer, Tully grunted and made a face.
+
+"Get me some water, quick."
+
+Bob hastened out into the corridor where he filled a paper cup to the
+brim. Tully drank every drop and signaled for another cup, which Bob
+procured immediately.
+
+When that was done, Tully appeared greatly refreshed.
+
+"Help me prop this pillow up so I can sit up a little," he urged Bob, and
+he was soon in a more comfortable position.
+
+The rain still washed the windows of the car, and the porter, entering
+the compartment, turned on the top lights, for it was nearly dark.
+
+Before he spoke again Tully felt inside his coat and, reassured that the
+documents on the jewel smuggling case were there, he looked at Bob.
+
+"I don't remember very much," he said slowly, "but all of a sudden
+everything went dark. I felt that I was going to fall but I couldn't
+move. I couldn't even reach out my hands and neither could I say a word."
+
+He paused and Bob felt that it would be well for him to explain what he
+had seen.
+
+"You looked like you were hypnotized," he explained. "I came over and
+caught you, but you were out cold. Believe me, you had us worried for a
+while."
+
+Just then the Pullman conductor looked in.
+
+"Made up your mind about calling an ambulance at the division point?" he
+asked. Then he saw Tully propped into a half-way sitting position and his
+face brightened.
+
+"Coming around now?"
+
+"He's feeling better. We'll go right on through to Jacksonville," said
+Bob and the conductor went on about his duties.
+
+"Didn't you think I'd come around?" asked Tully, a look of worry on his
+forehead.
+
+"We didn't know just what was happening for a while," explained Bob. "You
+had us pretty badly scared."
+
+Tully looked thoughtful.
+
+"I honestly don't know what took place," he said, slowly shaking his
+head. "It seemed as though blackness simply exploded in my face. Actually
+I believe there was some kind of a shock or blow on my face."
+
+"I don't know what it could have been," replied Bob. "Hamsa and I were
+the only ones with you and you had been visiting with Hamsa for some time
+before I came in."
+
+"He's a queer duck," muttered Tully. "I don't know whether I could like
+or trust him."
+
+Bob had exactly the same feeling and he was interested to know Tully's
+reaction to their traveling companion.
+
+"I'm still kind of sleepy. Guess I'll take another nap. You might tell
+the porter to make up my berth."
+
+"I'll have him fix up lower five for you," replied Bob. "I'll take the
+upper for you probably won't feel much like climbing in and out of a
+berth for the next few hours. Think you'll want anything to eat tonight?"
+
+"Perhaps a little soup later," nodded Tully as he closed his eyes.
+
+Bob remained in the compartment for several minutes until he was sure
+that Tully was in a deep and comfortable sleep. Then he returned to the
+main section of the Pullman.
+
+As he turned in the corridor and could look down the full length of the
+car he thought he caught just a glimpse of Hamsa dodging out the other
+end of the car.
+
+Only a few lights were on and Bob could not be sure that his eyes were
+not playing tricks on him. In any event he hastened his pace and when he
+reached the section which he and Tully occupied he drew his big Gladstone
+bag out from under one of the seats.
+
+Bob breathed easier when he saw the envelope which contained the
+confidential information on the smuggling was just where he had left it.
+It had been more than a little careless of him to leave such valuable
+data unprotected for so long a time.
+
+It was fully dark and Bob snapped on the individual lights in the berth
+and rang the buzzer for the porter, who appeared almost immediately.
+
+Bob instructed him to make up both the lower and upper berth.
+
+"I'm going ahead into the diner. Let me know when you've finished," he
+said, "and also keep an eye on my friend in the smoking compartment. If
+he should wake up, inform me at once."
+
+The rush to reach the train plus the exciting events of the afternoon had
+made Bob ravenously hungry and when he entered the dining car he splurged
+by ordering a large porterhouse steak and an extra order of French fried
+potatoes.
+
+The conductor had been right when he described travel on the Southern
+that night as light for there were only five others in the diner in
+addition to Bob. All of them were strangers, three of them being women
+and the other two rather elderly men who were engaged in an animated
+conversation on the economic problems of the day.
+
+Bob summoned the steward, explained that a companion was ill, and asked
+that a nourishing soup be prepared for him to take back to the Pullman
+when he returned.
+
+The steak, when it was brought in, was both thick and tender, and the
+potatoes were done just to the right crispness. It was a meal that Bob
+could thoroughly enjoy and he ate it in comparative leisure, relying on
+the Pullman porter to call him if Tully awakened.
+
+The train slowed to a smooth halt in a North Carolina mill town and Bob
+looked out on the well lighted station platform. The rain was descending
+in torrents now and Bob knew that it might be hard to keep the Limited on
+the fast schedule which its time card demanded.
+
+It was evidently a service stop for the train remained at the station for
+at least ten minutes. Bob, watching from the windows, could see anyone on
+the platform and he was startled to catch a glimpse of a man hurrying
+along beside the train. He had just a glimpse, but the man, short and
+rather bulky, was making what appeared to Bob to be an obvious effort to
+avoid attracting attention for he was hugging the side of the train. He
+was clad in a dark oilskin and a soft hat, pulled well down, shielded his
+face.
+
+Bob pressed his own face against the glass and peered along the platform.
+Up ahead a brightly illuminated sign marked the telegraph office, and Bob
+saw the man hurry inside, but the distance was too great for him to see
+the other's face. In less than a minute the man reappeared, but he did
+not come back along the train.
+
+Then the Limited plunged southward again, beating its way into the teeth
+of the storm, and Bob wondered if Joe Hamsa could have been the man on
+the platform.
+
+Bob finished his meal and after paying his bill went back into car 43 to
+see how Tully was getting along. He found him awake and ready for
+something to eat.
+
+"Soup would taste good," nodded Tully when Bob suggested it and the young
+federal agent returned to the diner at once. When he re-entered the car
+he saw Joe Hamsa seated at the far end of the diner and he was sure that
+he had not passed Hamsa either going or coming from car 43. That meant
+that Hamsa had been up ahead some place.
+
+Bob thought the diamond salesman made a deliberate effort to avoid his
+eyes by staring intently through the storm-bathed windows of the car. The
+soup was ready and Bob followed a waiter who carried it back to the
+Pullman.
+
+The train was traveling at a wild pace now and Bob almost lost his
+balance as he walked between the cars. As the anger of the storm
+deepened, he became more convinced than before that Joe Hamsa was the man
+he had seen on the station platform and there was something about the
+wildness of the night and Tully's sudden illness that caused grave
+apprehension in Bob's mind.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter VIII
+                         TULLY'S PAPERS VANISH
+                                   *
+
+
+When Bob returned to the Pullman, Tully was obviously much refreshed from
+his deep sleep and he ate the soup with real relish. After he was through
+and the waiter had gone, Tully spoke to him.
+
+"I'll appreciate it if you'll give me a hand down to the berth," he said.
+"My legs are still a little shaky, but I guess I'm all right otherwise. A
+good night's sleep will put me back to normal."
+
+Bob supported Tully and together they walked down to the berth which had
+been made up. Joe Hamsa was not in the car.
+
+"I still can't figure out what happened to me," said Tully, shaking his
+head.
+
+"You are sure I wasn't struck over the head?" he looked at Bob so sharply
+that Bob was inclined to laugh.
+
+"Don't accuse me of doing a thing like that," he retorted, but there was
+no anger in his words.
+
+"But I tell you it felt like something struck my face. Then there was a
+blanket of darkness that settled over me and I couldn't move or say a
+word. It was a mighty helpless sort of feeling."
+
+Bob agreed that there had been nothing pleasant about the experience and
+he helped Tully in getting undressed. Tully drew the letter with its
+confidential report on the smuggling ring out of an inner pocket.
+
+"This goes under my pillow," he said.
+
+"I thought it was kind of foolish for you to read it while Hamsa was in
+the smoking compartment with you," said Bob, and a flicker of anger
+glowed in Tully's eyes.
+
+"Hamsa's all right," he replied. "You take care of your copy and I'll
+take care of mine."
+
+With that Tully pulled out the flap of the envelope and drew forth the
+closely typewritten pages which comprised the report.
+
+Bob saw a sudden, startled change in Tully's face, and he leaned closer.
+
+"Bob," whispered the other. "Look at these pages. Am I seeing things?"
+
+Bob picked up the handful of data and scanned the typewritten words. Even
+before he read the printing on the page he knew that something was wrong
+for the paper was thicker than that upon which his report had been
+written.
+
+But the real shock was when he read the first page. It was a recipe for
+making dill pickles.
+
+"It's a pickle recipe," gasped Bob.
+
+Tully nodded grimly.
+
+"Look at the rest of them!"
+
+Bob skimmed through the pages, bending down to examine each one closely.
+Instead of the confidential data the pages were mimeographed recipes and
+Bob and Tully stared at each other in amazement.
+
+"My report's been stolen!"
+
+It was Tully speaking and he sounded like a stricken man. Then he grasped
+Bob's shoulders.
+
+"This isn't a trick you're playing on me?" he demanded.
+
+"Don't be silly," said Bob firmly. "That isn't my idea of a joke. We've
+got to get busy now."
+
+Bob pressed the buzzer for the porter, who put in an almost immediate
+appearance.
+
+"Get the Pullman conductor here at once," he commanded.
+
+"Sorry, boss, but he's eating supper up ahead."
+
+"Get him," retorted Bob, and the manner in which he gave the order sent
+the porter scurrying up the aisle.
+
+"How could this have happened?" asked Tully, and from the heaviness of
+his voice Bob knew that his companion had not fully thrown off the
+effects of the attack which had overcome him that afternoon.
+
+"The secret of this is somewhere on the Limited," replied Bob. "Only
+three people, in addition to myself, were in the compartment with you.
+One was the Pullman conductor, the other was Hamsa, and the third was the
+porter. I think we can rule out the porter for he was in there only once
+or twice. There's just a chance the conductor might have come back in
+while I was in the diner."
+
+"What motive would he have in taking such a report?" Tully wanted to know
+and Bob confessed that there apparently was none.
+
+The conductor, evidently irritated at being called from his dinner,
+entered the car and hurried down to the section.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked crisply.
+
+Bob did not like the tone of his voice and he drew forth the little badge
+which identified him. The conductor's eyes widened in astonishment and
+there was an instant change in his attitude. He looked toward Tully
+significantly.
+
+"Prisoner?" he asked.
+
+"No. He's a federal agent like myself. Sometime after he was stricken
+this afternoon an envelope containing valuable information was taken from
+him and worthless papers substituted."
+
+"You're not suspecting me of this, are you?" asked the conductor and
+there was such pathetic anxiety in his voice that Bob felt that the man
+was innocent of any wrong doing.
+
+"I'm not suspecting or accusing anyone at present," replied Bob. "I
+simply want to know if you saw anything unusual going on in this car at
+any time while I was in the diner and while my companion was asleep on
+the couch in the compartment ahead."
+
+The conductor shook his head.
+
+"I was through the car twice," he said, "and the only one here was the
+man who had lower nine. The first time he was in his seat and the second
+time he was near the rear vestibule. He had on a slicker and had the
+upper part of the door open."
+
+"When was that?" The question shot eagerly from Bob's lips.
+
+"Just before our last stop at Atkinson where we took on coal and water,"
+replied the conductor. "I didn't notice him again until up in the diner a
+few minutes ago."
+
+"The vestibule door was opened by someone while we were in Atkinson," put
+in the porter.
+
+"Then lower nine's passenger must have taken a walk. Fine night for a
+thing like that," said the conductor. "Come to think of it, I did see his
+slicker on another chair in the diner."
+
+There was no question now but that Joe Hamsa had been the man Bob had
+seen on the station platform, and the suspicious feeling Bob had held
+toward him from the beginning was strengthened.
+
+"I'm going forward to talk with Hamsa," he told Tully, and he started
+ahead through the train as fast as he could walk.
+
+When he reached the diner the steward was turning down the lights.
+
+"I'm looking for a dark, heavy-set fellow who was wearing a black
+slicker," said Bob. "He belongs in car 43."
+
+"He left not more than two or three minutes ago," replied the steward.
+"You should have met him, for he started back into the Pullmans."
+
+Bob shook his head.
+
+"I just came from car 43 and he couldn't have passed me."
+
+"He might have turned around and gone up into the coaches," said the
+steward. "I've been busy in the kitchen checking with the chef. You might
+look up ahead."
+
+Bob went up into the day coaches and found the train conductor in the
+forward car. There were three day coaches on the train and the conductor
+was busy making out his reports.
+
+The young federal agent wasted no time in identifying himself.
+
+"There's a man aboard I want to question," he explained. "He was in the
+diner a few minutes ago and after finishing his meal started back for the
+Pullmans. He belongs in lower nine of car 43, but I'm sure he didn't
+reach there. Get your brakeman out and search this train."
+
+The small gold badge Bob displayed worked magic with the trainman and he
+summoned his brakeman. Bob gave them a brief description of Hamsa and
+they started back through the train.
+
+Every vestibule and every compartment was checked as the three worked
+methodically. They even looked into the kitchen on the dining car while
+the chef, a jolly negro, grinned at them.
+
+Back in car 43 they found the Pullman conductor standing watch beside
+Tully.
+
+"There's no sign of Hamsa up ahead," said Bob. "He didn't come this way?"
+
+"No one's been through this car," replied the Pullman official firmly.
+
+Bob shook his head.
+
+"A man can't vanish on a train and we've been running too fast for him to
+jump off. That would have been sheer suicide."
+
+There were two more Pullmans and an observation lounge car behind car 43
+and with the trainmen at his heels, Bob resumed the search.
+
+The next two cars were practically deserted and even in the observation
+lounge there were only five passengers in addition to the porter. They
+looked up with evident interest at the wholesale invasion of the trainmen
+and the grim intentness of the expression on Bob's face.
+
+But the observation car failed to yield any sign of Hamsa and Bob stepped
+out on the rain-lashed platform. The Limited whistled sharply and seconds
+later rumbled through a small village. Then the train was rushing through
+the desolate night once more.
+
+The young federal agent turned and re-entered the car and the feeling of
+unrest which had gripped him ever since meeting Joe Hamsa deepened. There
+was something about the diamond salesman that sent shivers up and down
+Bob's spine.
+
+"That fellow's got to be on the train some place for we haven't even
+slowed up since we left Atkinson," said the train conductor. "We'd better
+look again."
+
+They started forward, once more examining every compartment aboard the
+train, and this time they even went into the baggage car, but the
+baggageman insisted that no one had been through his car.
+
+Back in the first day coach they stopped to take council.
+
+"I'm afraid he's fallen off the train in some manner," said the train
+conductor. "We're stopping in ten minutes at a junction and I'll send a
+wire back to division headquarters. They'll warn all trains over the road
+to watch for him."
+
+Bob, however, doubted that Hamsa had fallen from the train for he felt
+that the diamond salesman was far too clever and cautious to be the
+victim of such an accident.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter IX
+                           BOB GETS A WARNING
+                                   *
+
+
+The young federal agent returned to car 43 and related in detail to Tully
+the result of the search of the train.
+
+"It doesn't seem possible that Hamsa could be on the train, yet I am sure
+that he did not fall off," concluded Bob.
+
+"I've the same feeling," said Tully. "You're sure you didn't miss any
+place?"
+
+"We looked in every closet and compartment aboard the Limited," insisted
+Bob. "We'd have found even a fly if one had been aboard."
+
+Tully was visibly downcast for he felt the loss of his confidential
+instructions keenly.
+
+"Hamsa is the only one who could have taken them," he said, half to
+himself.
+
+Bob felt like telling Tully that he should have known better than to have
+opened and read them in the presence of anyone else, but he checked the
+impulse, and was glad that he had had the foresight to protect his own
+papers by placing them in his Gladstone bag.
+
+The train slowed to a stop at a lonely junction and Bob went to the
+vestibule where the porter opened the upper half of the door for him.
+
+The federal agent, peering ahead through the rain, saw the train
+conductor make a dash for the station where a night operator was on duty.
+The conductor ran back to the train just before the engineer "whistled
+in" the flagman and Bob knew that already a message was humming over the
+wires telling of the disappearance of Joe Hamsa, the diamond salesman.
+
+The porter closed the upper half of the door and Bob returned to the
+Pullman. The lights had been turned low and he looked in at Tully, who
+was dozing.
+
+Bob was too wide awake to think of sleep just then, and he went ahead to
+the smoking compartment, where the porter had left an evening paper.
+
+Bob picked up the paper and scanned the headlines on the first page, but
+there was nothing recorded in the news there that drew his attention and
+he turned to the sports page, where football dope stories could be found
+plentifully, for Bob liked nothing better in the sports world than a good
+football game.
+
+The train conductor came in and sat down.
+
+"It's a bad night," he said, looking at the curtain of rain which swept
+the windows. "We'll be late getting into Jacksonville. A message at the
+junction back there gave us a lot of slow orders where the track is going
+bad ahead of us."
+
+"The rain must be worse farther south," said Bob.
+
+"It's nearly a cloudburst in some places. I wouldn't be surprised if we
+find a bridge washed out and get hung up for hours."
+
+The conductor was silent for a minute. Then he added, "I can't figure out
+where that fellow in lower nine went. Seems impossible that he could have
+fallen off the train, yet he isn't here."
+
+"I'm just as puzzled as you are," admitted Bob, "but I have a feeling
+that no harm has come to him. I sized him up as a fellow pretty well able
+to take care of himself."
+
+"I don't recall seeing him," said the train conductor, "for the Pullman
+conductor handles this end of the Limited. Well, I've more reports to get
+ready."
+
+He got to his feet and started for the door. The Limited lurched heavily
+and the conductor was thrown back against Bob.
+
+"There we go!" he cried. "The track's gone out from under us."
+
+The car was weaving and lurching as the wheels screamed in the grip of
+powerful air brakes, but the rhythmic clack of the trucks told them they
+were still on the rails.
+
+The conductor hoisted himself to his feet and Bob followed him in a dash
+for the vestibule.
+
+"That blamed engineer almost shook us to pieces," groaned the conductor
+as he threw open the top half of the vestibule door and peered out.
+
+Bob, looking over his shoulder, could see a red glare that penetrated
+even the brilliance of the locomotive's headlight.
+
+"Someone's swinging a fuse against us," said the conductor, buttoning up
+his slicker. "I'm going ahead."
+
+Bob ran back into the Pullman and got his own coat. Tully, who was awake
+now, wanted to know what it was all about.
+
+"An emergency stop of some kind," said Bob. "I'll be back soon."
+
+By the time he was back in the vestibule the Limited was grinding to a
+stop and Bob swung down behind the conductor, the two running ahead
+alongside the train as rapidly as they could in the darkness.
+
+The Southern had been flagged at a lonely way station where it seldom if
+ever made a stop, and the engineer, who was leaning from his cab, bawled
+lustily at them.
+
+"Find out what that hick agent means by flagging us down," he shouted.
+"We've got to get rolling again. We're 23 minutes late."
+
+The agent, the red fuse still in his hands, came toward them and Bob
+caught a glimpse of a telegram in one hand.
+
+"What's the idea of flagging us down?" demanded the conductor. "I'm going
+to report you if you haven't a mighty good reason."
+
+The agent's retort was sharp.
+
+"Oh, quit your howling. I waved a fuse at you because I had orders from
+the super to stop this train and deliver a message to one of your
+passengers."
+
+"What's that?" bellowed the conductor. "You had the nerve to stop the
+Southern just to deliver a telegram?"
+
+The agent shrugged. "You heard me. Now I've got to find this passenger
+and deliver the message."
+
+"Give it to me. I'll deliver it." The conductor reached for the telegram,
+but the agent backed away.
+
+"Oh, no you don't. I'm going to deliver this in person and get the
+signature of the man I deliver it to."
+
+"Hurry up there!" It was the engineer, shouting at them above the noise
+of the storm and the air pumps on the locomotive.
+
+"Who's the telegram for?" asked the conductor.
+
+"Bob Houston in lower five, car 43," replied the agent. "Let's get
+going."
+
+"That's all right, I'll sign for the telegram," said Bob. "My name is
+Houston and I'm in lower five, car 43."
+
+The agent looked suspiciously at him as though he had not expected anyone
+as youthful looking as Bob.
+
+"I've got instructions to see a certain badge before I turn over this
+message," he said.
+
+Bob reached into his inner coat pocket, drew forth his billfold, and
+produced the badge.
+
+"That's right," nodded the agent. "Sign this slip."
+
+He produced a pencil and Bob, writing in the light from the headlight,
+signed his name.
+
+"Thanks," said the agent. Then he turned to the conductor. "All right.
+Now you can tell that hoghead up there to pick up his wheels and get the
+string of varnished gondolas out of here. I want to go to sleep."
+
+The conductor snorted, but he was too anxious to get back to his train to
+make a reply.
+
+The vestibule of the forward coach had been opened by the brakeman. They
+climbed aboard and the engineer whistled off the moment they were on the
+train.
+
+Bob looked at the damp envelope in his hands and suddenly he felt himself
+shaking slightly. For some reason the Southern Limited had been stopped
+at a lonely railroad outpost to deliver this message to him. That it was
+important there could be no doubt for he had been forced to identify
+himself before he could obtain the message.
+
+The coach was less than half full and Bob dropped down in the nearest
+seat and ripped open the telegram, looking first at the signature. It was
+from Waldo Edgar, chief of the division of investigation.
+
+Bob read the message quickly and thoroughly:
+
+"This is to warn you that a man known as Joe Hamsa, traveling south with
+you on Limited, is now believed linked with gang we want. Watch Hamsa
+closely and take no chances with him as his record is a ruthless one. In
+view of this, contact Merritt Hughes and Condon Adams when you reach
+Jacksonville."
+
+Bob read the telegram again, folded it carefully and placed it in an
+inside pocket with the feeling that even though Joe Hamsa had disappeared
+from the train, they would meet and that their meeting would not be far
+in the future.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter X
+                               IN CAR 43
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob walked back through the Southern Limited with many things running
+through his mind. His suspicions concerning Joe Hamsa had been confirmed
+by the telegram in his pocket.
+
+The role of diamond salesman was an ideal one for Hamsa to assume. In
+that capacity he would be able to go around the country selling the
+smuggled diamonds and if he appeared to be working for a legitimate firm
+of wholesale diamond merchants there was little doubt that he would go
+unmolested by the federal agents.
+
+Bob wondered just how the department had obtained the information on
+Hamsa which had led to the telegram to him. Perhaps his uncle would be
+able to enlighten him when he arrived in Jacksonville the next morning.
+
+The young federal agent entered car 43 and stopped at lower five. He
+parted the curtains and looked down at Tully, who was sound asleep. Tully
+was breathing so deeply that Bob hesitated to awaken him and tell him
+about the message. If Tully was still asleep when Bob went to bed, there
+would still be time to awaken him.
+
+Bob went on back to lower nine, which Hamsa was to have occupied. There
+was nothing on the seats, but Bob caught a glimpse of a bag sticking from
+under the forward seat and he leaned down and pulled a small bag out.
+
+The case was of well worn brown leather securely fastened with two small
+but sturdy padlocks. There was something soft inside, but the leather was
+too thick for his fingers to ascertain just what the contents might be.
+
+The porter came through the car and stopped.
+
+"Haven't seen anything more of the man in lower nine?" asked Bob.
+
+The Pullman employe shook his gray head.
+
+"No sir, and I don't know whether to make up his berth."
+
+"You might as well save yourself work. I don't believe I'd make it up,"
+advised Bob, and the porter, deciding to accept the counsel, went on up
+the aisle.
+
+Bob walked back to the observation and lounge car. There was only one
+passenger who had not retired to his berth in the forward Pullmans. He
+was an elderly man, thin, but with an expression on his face which gave
+one a feeling of tremendous vitality. He was deeply engrossed in reading
+and Bob picked up a newspaper which had been brought aboard the train at
+one of the Carolina towns.
+
+But he found reading a difficult task. His mind was centered on the
+disappearance of Hamsa. It seemed absolutely incredible that a man could
+have vanished from a fast train while it was speeding through the night
+between stations. Yet apparently that was just what had taken place.
+
+Bob knew there was an answer to the problem, and it was probably
+something ridiculously simple, but it evaded his every mental effort and
+he finally turned to the comic page of the newspaper for a chuckle or two
+at the antics of the comic characters.
+
+The other passenger in the car put down the magazine he had been reading
+and went forward to his berth in another car. Bob was alone in the
+observation lounge without even a trainman in the car.
+
+From up ahead the dismal hoot of the locomotive whistle drifted back and
+seconds later the car lurched as the trucks crashed over the frogs of a
+siding and the dimmed lights of a village drifted by in the storm. Then
+the train was in the heart of the desolate night once more.
+
+After the events of the afternoon, with Tully's sudden collapse and the
+disappearance of Hamsa, it was not a scene to inspire confidence in the
+heart of any young federal agent and Bob felt a queer chill running up
+and down his spine. Once or twice before, when sudden danger impended, he
+had had the same feeling.
+
+Some premonition caused Bob to turn quickly toward the forward end of the
+observation car and his eyes riveted on a hand, extended around the edge
+of the corridor, which was groping for the switches controlling the
+lights inside the car.
+
+Bob was motionless, but for only a second. Then he leaped forward, his
+powerful legs driving him ahead as the groping hand finally found the
+switch and he saw the fingers tense as they started to move the lever
+downward which would plunge the car into darkness.
+
+A blanket of darkness engulfed the interior of the observation car and
+Bob heard the faint click of the switch. His body was hurtling forward
+with a momentum impossible to stop and he crashed almost headlong into
+the steel partition at the end of the car.
+
+Bob was dazed by the shock of the impact and he dropped to the floor, too
+bruised to move for a moment.
+
+Then a finger of light sought him out. The tiny ray was almost blinding
+in its brilliance and the beam swept Bob's face as he struggled to get
+up. He was on his knees and facing the mysterious beam when there was a
+sharp blow on his face. The impact was not hard, but there was no
+mistaking that he had been struck.
+
+A sudden nausea swept Bob and he felt his power of control ebbing
+rapidly. He tried to cry out, but his tongue seemed to swell and stick in
+his mouth. His arms dropped at his sides and he felt his knees wobbling.
+In spite of everything he could do he collapsed on the floor of the
+observation car.
+
+The last thing Bob remembered was the thin beam of light which still
+sought him out with relentless steadiness and then a mocking laugh, heavy
+and daring, that might easily have come from the lips of Joe Hamsa had he
+been on the Southern Limited.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter XI
+                             DOUBLE DANGER
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob never knew just how long he was unconscious, but it must have been at
+least half an hour before his mind started to clear and he felt some one
+shaking his shoulders.
+
+His head pounded painfully and it was difficult for him to lift his
+heavy-lidded eyes. Some one moistened his lips and his tongue felt
+better. He tried to talk, but some one cut him short.
+
+"He's coming around now. Lift him into a chair."
+
+The command was obeyed and Bob felt himself being carried into a chair.
+Faintly he heard the steady clack of train trucks and he knew that he was
+still on the Southern Limited.
+
+When his eyes finally focused and his blurred vision cleared he saw the
+train conductor leaning over him. A Pullman porter was just behind and in
+the background another trainman could be seen.
+
+"What happened?" It was the voice of the train conductor.
+
+Bob shook his head. He was still too weak to answer that question, but
+his eyes shot toward the end of the car as though he half expected to see
+a hand move around the corner and grope for the light switch. In his ears
+the mocking laugh he had heard still echoed.
+
+"Where are we?" asked the young federal agent, and when the conductor
+answered Bob knew that the Limited was far behind its usual fast schedule
+into the southland.
+
+Bob looked sharply at the trainmen.
+
+"Have you seen anything of the man in lower nine in the last hour?" The
+question was sharp and he saw the look of surprise that passed over their
+faces.
+
+Denials were quick and emphatic. Quite definitely they had not seen Joe
+Hamsa on the Limited.
+
+Bob shook his head. That was strange for he was sure that it was Hamsa's
+voice he had heard in the car just before he lost consciousness.
+
+"Tell us what happened," urged the train conductor, who was more than a
+little disturbed at the misfortunes which were befalling the passengers
+on the Limited that night. One federal agent had been taken suddenly ill,
+another passenger had disappeared, the train had been flagged down at a
+lonely station for a telegram, and now the second federal agent had been
+found unconscious in the observation car. It was, admitted the trainman,
+too much for him to untangle.
+
+Bob felt more like talking now, and he told his story briefly.
+
+"I turned toward the forward end of the car just in time to see some
+one's hand groping around the corner for the light switch. I jumped for
+the switch, but the lights were snapped out before I could reach it."
+
+Bob paused for a moment, then went on.
+
+"I crashed into the steel partition at the end of the lounge section of
+the car and fell down. Before I could get to my feet whoever had turned
+off the lights snapped on a small but very brilliant flash light and
+focused it on my eyes. Before I could get to my feet there was a sharp
+impact on my face. It was just as though some one had struck me a sharp
+blow. After that a wave of nausea swept over me and that was the last
+thing I remember until a few minutes ago."
+
+The conductor's worry was reflected on his frank face.
+
+"The flagman, coming back from the head end, found the car in darkness
+and when he turned on the lights he almost fell over you. I was pretty
+worried, but the porter told me that you acted like your friend this
+afternoon and I knew he was coming around all right so it wasn't as bad
+as it might have been."
+
+"Just before I lost consciousness," went on Bob, "I heard some one laugh
+and I would have sworn it was the voice of Hamsa, the man who has
+disappeared from lower nine."
+
+"Couldn't have been," declared the conductor. "I've been all over the
+train and know he isn't aboard."
+
+"Then who could have turned off the lights in this car?" demanded Bob and
+the conductor shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment.
+
+"I'll be glad when we're at the end of the division," he said. "This
+thing is getting my nerves. Next thing I'll be seeing ghosts. You fellows
+must have eaten some tainted food."
+
+"No, that's out. Neither my companion nor I had a meal together before we
+got on this train this afternoon and he was taken ill before the evening
+meal was served in the diner."
+
+"That's right," agreed the conductor. "Well, you puzzle it out. I guess
+that's your profession."
+
+Bob got to his feet. His legs were still a little shaky and the porter
+hurried away for more coffee. When it was brought Bob drank two more cups
+of the hot liquid, then he walked up and down the car several times.
+
+"If you can rustle up a sandwich out of the diner, I'll feel better when
+I get some more food in my stomach," said Bob, and the porter went out to
+fill his request.
+
+The conductor turned to the flagman.
+
+"Don't leave this car again, except when you have to get off to protect
+the back end at flag stops," he ordered. "I don't want any more
+mysterious attacks on this train while I'm in charge of it."
+
+Then he looked at Bob, who was still white around the lips.
+
+"Better get to bed and enjoy a few hours sleep, young man. You're
+starting to look like a fish that's been out of water too long."
+
+"I'm coming along all right," declared Bob. "As soon as I have a sandwich
+I'll feel better. I'm convinced that Hamsa is on this train some place
+and I'm going to find him."
+
+The conductor stared at Bob as though he thought the young federal agent
+was mentally unbalanced. Then, shaking his head and muttering to himself,
+he started forward to continue his greatly interrupted work on his
+reports.
+
+The porter came back with a tray on which were two large, thick, meat
+sandwiches and a glass of milk and Bob sat down in the observation car to
+enjoy the late lunch.
+
+The flagman, at the back end of the car, was inclined to be more
+talkative than the conductor.
+
+"Everyone on the train's shaky tonight," he confided. "We got a message
+we picked up on the run a few minutes ago and a fast freight that's been
+coming along right after us wasn't able to find any trace of Hamsa along
+the stretch of road where we know he disappeared."
+
+"How fast were we running along that section?" asked Bob.
+
+"Never under fifty, and most of the time between fifty-five and
+sixty-five."
+
+"Then a man wouldn't have much chance of jumping from the train without
+such serious injury that he would be unable to get away?" pressed Bob.
+
+"I should say he wouldn't. At the very least he would get a broken leg
+and he wouldn't be able to get far from the right-of-way in that
+condition. And remember that it's been storming hard ever since yesterday
+afternoon."
+
+Bob knew that the trainman was right. It would have been almost sure
+suicide to have leaped from the speeding Limited and he was more
+convinced than ever that Hamsa was somewhere aboard the train.
+
+"We've been over every car from head to rear and back again," said Bob.
+"Have you any idea where he could hide?"
+
+The flagman removed his cap and scratched his head.
+
+"He didn't go through the baggage car?" he asked.
+
+"No," replied Bob.
+
+"How about under the steps in the vestibules? Did you lift all of the
+traps?"
+
+Bob's startled expression was sufficient answer to the flagman, who got
+hastily to his feet.
+
+"No, we didn't look under the traps," admitted Bob.
+
+"Then we'd better get busy. We can do it alone, working ahead through
+each car."
+
+The flagman started for the back end of the train, evidently intent on
+checking the trap doors on the observation platform when a sharp call
+from Bob stopped him.
+
+"Hamsa isn't going to be an easy man to take if he's hiding under one of
+the traps. Wait until I can go forward and get a gun out of my bag."
+
+"I'll wait," agreed the flagman, who obviously had not thought that they
+might encounter armed resistance.
+
+Bob, running lightly, sped through the two forward Pullmans and into car
+forty-three. His own Gladstone was still under the berth in which Tully
+was sleeping so heavily.
+
+The young federal agent bent down and dragged it out. He knew just where
+he had put the gun and his hands sought it after he had opened the bag.
+But the weapon was not where Bob had placed it and a new feeling of
+anxiety gripped him.
+
+With desperate hands he rummaged through the bag. The gun and box of
+cartridges he had placed there were gone!
+
+Bob picked up the big bag and carried it to a berth further down the
+aisle where he snapped on the seat lights. Once more his hands ran
+through the clothing which filled the bag.
+
+The revolver was gone, but the rifle he was taking south with him was
+intact, although the ammunition for it was missing. Some one had looted
+the bag and in doing so had left Bob defenseless against any armed
+attack.
+
+The discovery that his own bag had been searched so disturbed Bob that
+for a moment he forgot the important confidential papers on the smuggling
+case which he had placed there.
+
+When he recalled them, he started another search of the bag, turning
+clothes topsy-turvy in his search for the envelope and the precious
+information which it contained.
+
+Bob searched both sides of the Gladstone with a heart that grew heavier
+with apprehension as each second passed. There was no question now--his
+own confidential papers had been stolen.
+
+His hands went to the inner coat pocket where he had tucked the telegram
+warning them against Hamsa. When he drew them out his hands were empty.
+Even that message had disappeared and Bob knew then, without question,
+that Hamsa was somewhere on the train.
+
+With the telegram from Washington in his possession and the knowledge
+that the federal agents were closing in on him, Hamsa would be doubly
+dangerous and Bob was unarmed.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XII
+                             A NEW MYSTERY
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob sat in the berth for a time, thinking what to do next. He was certain
+that Hamsa was on the train and he knew that the other was capably armed,
+for he had Bob's own revolver and there was no question but that he would
+use the weapon if his hand was forced too far.
+
+Bob got up and walked back to lower five where Tully was in a deep sleep.
+His traveling companion's bag was in the rack above his berth and Bob
+reached in and pulled it out into the aisle, letting the heavy curtains
+fall back into place.
+
+He went through the bag methodically, for Tully's gun should have been
+there. Bob searched every article in the bag twice, but the hunt was
+fruitless. There was no weapon there. Hamsa had done a thorough job of
+disarming the federal agents.
+
+Bob replaced Tully's bag and then returned to the observation car where
+the flagman was waiting for him. He spread his empty hands in an
+expressive gesture.
+
+"Some one's been through my bag and my gun's gone," said Bob. "Whoever it
+was also went through the other agent's bag for he's been disarmed."
+
+The flagman's eyes narrowed.
+
+"I'm not so keen about going on with this search unless we're armed," he
+declared.
+
+"Any guns of any kind on the train?"
+
+"The baggage man up ahead has one, but I don't suppose he would loan it
+to anyone."
+
+"There's no harm in trying," decided Bob, and he started forward through
+the train once more.
+
+The conductor was in the last coach forward and Bob quickly explained
+what had happened. The trainman went ahead and tapped on the door of the
+baggage car.
+
+It was opened cautiously and the baggage man stuck his head out.
+
+"What do you want?" he demanded gruffly.
+
+"Let us in," cried the conductor and they stepped into the baggage car as
+a curtain of rain swept down off the roof of the train.
+
+Bob displayed his badge and then told what he needed.
+
+"I can't let you have my service gun," replied the baggage man, "but I've
+got a .22 target pistol I always carry along in my bag. You can have that
+if it will do you any good."
+
+"It's pretty light. But it will be better than nothing," decided Bob as
+the baggage man obtained the weapon and handed it to him.
+
+"The only clip of cartridges I have for it are in the gun," he explained,
+"so be careful on the ammunition if you get in a tight place."
+
+Bob and the conductor returned to the forward coach.
+
+"Which end of the train are you going to start from?" asked the
+conductor.
+
+"We'll go back to the observation car and work forward," said Bob. "The
+flagman is back there waiting for me."
+
+"I'll go with you. I want him to stay on the back end and protect us if
+we have to make a sudden stop. The track is getting soft and there's a
+fast freight that's pounding along after us too close for comfort. I
+don't want them piling into the back end of the Limited on a night like
+this."
+
+It was late as they started back once more and most of the passengers in
+the day coaches, curled into grotesque attitudes on the seats, were
+asleep. In the Pullmans the solid rows of green curtains swung to and fro
+as the train sped southward.
+
+Bob thought of the possibility that Joe Hamsa might be hiding in one of
+the unoccupied berths, but he knew that the train crew had made a
+thorough search of each berth.
+
+Standing a lonely vigil in the observation car had done little to help
+the jumpy nerves of the flagman and he was obviously relieved when he
+found that the conductor had decided to help Bob in the search of the
+vestibule steps.
+
+"Better turn down the lights in this car," advised the conductor. "All of
+the passengers on the Pullmans are in bed."
+
+"Nothing doing," insisted the flagman. "This is one night when I want
+plenty of light in this car and I'd just as soon have plenty of company
+of the right kind. I thought I heard some one moving around several
+times."
+
+"You've been reading too many mystery stories," jeered the conductor.
+
+Bob led the way to the rear platform of the train and they stepped out
+into the raw bluster of the night.
+
+The young federal agent took the target pistol out of his coat pocket and
+slipped the catch off the safety while the conductor focused the beam
+from his flash light on one of the traps in the floor of the vestibule.
+
+The flagman, his foot poised to kick the catch, saw Bob nod and the next
+second the trap door swung upward as unseen springs provided the
+momentum. They stared down at the empty steps and the rays of the flash
+light, penetrating even beyond, showed the ends of the ties as they
+projected beyond the rain-swept ballast.
+
+Down went the trap door and the flagman turned to the other side of the
+platform. Bob felt his heart beating harder. Actually he hardly knew what
+he would do if the trap, flying upward, were to reveal the hunched figure
+of Joe Hamsa.
+
+The flagman kicked the release lever and the door sprung upward. Once
+more they stared at vacant steps and an endless row of marching ties.
+
+They returned to the observation car.
+
+"Hope you have a nice party," grinned the flagman as Bob and the
+conductor started forward to continue the search of the vestibule steps.
+
+"Seems like kind of a foolish thing to do," grumbled the conductor.
+
+"That may be, but I'm convinced that Hamsa is still aboard this train and
+the vestibule steps are the last place I can think of," retorted Bob.
+
+Four more traps were opened without success and they walked through
+another Pullman. Finally they came to car 43, where Tully was sleeping
+soundly. Their search at one end of the car was without result and they
+walked down to lower five.
+
+One curtain in the berth seemed to be caught and pulled back inward. It
+was this which attracted Bob's attention and made him pause. He leaned
+over to adjust the curtain and just then the train lurched sharply and he
+was thrown into the berth.
+
+Bob attempted to brace himself and keep from falling on the sleeping
+Tully, but his efforts were without avail and he dropped rather heavily
+into the berth.
+
+Bob expected Tully to cry out, but there was no answer from the other
+young federal agent and Bob, struggling to his feet, parted the curtains
+and with the conductor peering over his shoulder, looked in.
+
+The bedding had been thrown carelessly to the back of the berth and Tully
+was missing!
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XIII
+                                GOING ON
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob turned and stared at the conductor with unbelieving eyes.
+
+"He's gone!" said Bob mechanically.
+
+But it couldn't be possible for only a few minutes before he had looked
+in at Tully when he had examined the contents of his bag in the search
+for a weapon. Tully had been sleeping deeply but peacefully then.
+
+"Maybe he walked up ahead to get a drink," suggested the conductor. But
+there was little actual hope in his voice that this had happened.
+
+"Get ahead and see if he's there," ordered Bob and the conductor hurried
+away.
+
+Bob threw back the curtains in the berth and looked for some evidence of
+a struggle for he was convinced in his own mind that Tully had never left
+the berth of his own free will. For one thing Tully had been too ill to
+get up and do any walking on the train.
+
+The conductor returned promptly. There was no sign of Tully in the head
+end of the Pullman.
+
+Bob rummaged through the sheets and blankets on the bed and his hands
+suddenly came on something firm. He drew the object out of the bedding
+and gazed at it under the rays of the berth light which he had turned on.
+It was a leather covered blackjack.
+
+"This spells trouble in capital letters," said Bob as he drew out a clean
+handkerchief and turned the blackjack over. "Some one slugged Tully and
+then carried him out of his berth. This train is haunted."
+
+"I'm beginning to believe so myself," agreed the conductor. "Who could
+have carried him away?"
+
+"There's only one answer to that--Hamsa," asserted Bob. "What I want to
+know is what happened to Tully?"
+
+The conductor shook his head in glum perplexity. Events were happening
+too swiftly for him to comprehend. First valuable papers had been stolen,
+then a gun, and a federal agent had disappeared from his berth. The
+trainman would welcome the end of the division and his run.
+
+The brakeman, coming back from the head end on his rounds, stopped in the
+Pullman.
+
+"One of you fellows leave the vestibule door up ahead open?" he asked.
+
+"No," replied Bob sharply.
+
+"Well, some one did. I closed it when I came along."
+
+A look of apprehension flitted across Bob's face.
+
+"Which vestibule was open?" he demanded.
+
+"Left hand one on the car just ahead," replied the brakeman.
+
+Without further questioning, Bob dashed ahead, a mounting fear tugging at
+his heart.
+
+The conductor and brakeman followed him through the car and out into the
+vestibule where the steady clacking of the trucks beneath the Pullmans
+filled the air.
+
+Bob stepped across the gap into the car ahead. There was a splotch of
+water on the steel floor of the vestibule where the wind had lashed the
+rain in while the door was open.
+
+"This the door that was open?" asked Bob.
+
+"Right. I closed it less than a minute ago," replied the brakeman.
+
+Bob dropped down to his knees and examined the floor of the vestibule. At
+first there appeared to be nothing unusual there, but his sharp eyes
+finally caught sight of a small, dark spot. It was soft and fresh and he
+touched it with his fingers.
+
+Bob drew his hand back where the light was better and examined the dark
+marks on the tips of his fingers. From behind came an involuntary gasp
+from the brakeman.
+
+The dark spots on Bob's fingers were blood and the young federal agent
+looked up at the trainmen with eyes that were hard and piercing.
+
+"Stop this train!" he ordered. "Tully Ross has been thrown from the
+train. We've got to go back."
+
+The conductor was silent for a moment, staring at the dark stains on
+Bob's fingers. Then he shook his head.
+
+"We can't stop and go back. There's a fast freight following right behind
+us and they might ram us. We'll have to run to the nearest station with a
+night operator. Then we can get word back to division headquarters."
+
+"But we've got to stop. He may be seriously injured."
+
+The conductor looked at his watch. Just then the air brakes went on and
+streams of sparks flew from the wet trucks underneath.
+
+"We're slowing down now for Robertson where we take on water. There's a
+night operator there. We can send a message back and get new orders."
+
+The brakeman threw open the vestibule door on the right side and almost
+before the train came to a stop Bob and the conductor were running
+forward.
+
+When they reached the small station Bob dictated the message and the
+conductor told the operator to rush it through.
+
+"That freight's only ten miles up the line. It's at Quasqueton now. Maybe
+we can catch it," said the operator.
+
+Bob nodded and the operator pounded his key hard with a desperate call
+for the night man at Quasqueton. It seemed ages before there was an
+answer. Actually the Quesqueton operator answered in less than a minute.
+
+"Hold the freight," snapped back the operator beside Bob, and just then
+the dispatcher at division headquarters chimed in and wanted to know what
+it was all about.
+
+The story was snapped over the wires as the bent fingers of the operator
+at Robertson tapped out the facts. The answer from the dispatcher came
+sharply, first a message to the freight.
+
+"To enginemen and trainmen of extra X703 South. Use all precautions in
+moving from Quasqueton to Robertson to find federal agent believed thrown
+from Southern Limited. Report immediately upon arrival at Robertson."
+
+That message was followed by one to the Limited to proceed. The night
+operator copied this quickly and handed the thin tissues to the
+conductor, who was buttoning up his coat before going back into the
+desolation of that wild night.
+
+"Going on with us, or will you stay here and wait for the freight to come
+through and report?"
+
+Bob hesitated. If he remained at the lonely station he would have first
+hand information if Tully was found by the freight crew. On the other
+hand, he was convinced that Joe Hamsa was still aboard the Southern
+Limited and that he had on his person the confidential documents on the
+smuggling ring which had been stolen from Tully and Bob.
+
+The decision was made quickly.
+
+"I'm going on the Limited. What's our next stop?"
+
+The conductor named a junction thirty miles down the line.
+
+"Will the freight be in here by the time we reach the junction?" Bob
+asked the night operator.
+
+"It will at the rate the Limited is running tonight," replied the
+operator. "Quasqueton is reporting the freight out right now."
+
+"Let's go," called the conductor.
+
+The trainman hurried outside and Bob banged the door after him. The
+federal agent went back to the Pullmans while the conductor ran forward
+with the orders for the engineer. A minute later the Limited hooted
+shrilly and once more started southward.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XIV
+                           THE LIGHTS GO OUT
+                                   *
+
+
+Back in the Pullman from which Tully had vanished Bob took off the coat
+which had protected him from the storm. He sat down opposite the berth
+and carefully examined the target revolver. An eerie feeling ran along
+his spine. He felt as though some one was watching him and he turned and
+scanned the windows of the Pullman. But that was impossible for the
+Limited was already running better than thirty miles an hour and no one
+could possibly have clung to the side of the train.
+
+The conductor came back through.
+
+"I'm going to finish that search," declared Bob, and the trainman,
+without further comment, joined him.
+
+Working together and moving cautiously, they raised up the trap door on
+every vestibule clear up to the baggage car. There was no one hidden on
+the steps.
+
+"If there was ever anyone there, he got off at Robertson," said the
+conductor.
+
+But Bob shook his head.
+
+"I don't think so," he said firmly. "What would a man stop there for?
+It's miles from any other town, and there are no good highways nearby to
+make a get-away in a car."
+
+"Maybe you're right, but there's no one on this train."
+
+Bob wasn't so sure. A crafty man such as Hamsa had shown himself to be
+could have moved to the shelter of one of the rear vestibules while the
+Limited was standing at Robertson for Bob had checked these vestibules
+before the train stopped there.
+
+"I'm going to work from the front to the back," declared Bob, and the
+conductor looked at him suspiciously as though thinking that the strain
+of the night might have unbalanced Bob. But he went along without
+complaint when the federal agent started the hunt again.
+
+Car by car they inspected the train. The small dark spot they had found
+in one vestibule had dried and Bob didn't dare think what might have
+happened to Tully. While there was no love lost between them, Bob had no
+desire to see any harm come to the other.
+
+As they entered the observation car, the Limited started slowing down.
+
+The conductor, pressing his face against one of the rain-washed panes of
+glass, peered ahead.
+
+"Junction showing now," he said as Bob stepped in after inspecting the
+trap doors on the observation platform.
+
+A red lantern was being swung at the junction platform and the minute the
+Limited drew to a halt beside the cinder platform Bob and the trainman
+started running forward.
+
+A night operator, swathed in a heavy storm coat, greeted them.
+
+"Message from Robertson for Bob Houston," he told the conductor. "Fine
+thing to make a man deliver telegrams at this time of night."
+
+The conductor didn't bother to answer the operator's complaint but handed
+the message to Bob, who tore open the envelope and read the brief message
+inside.
+
+"Man you reported missing found by freight crew. Has cut on head and is
+bruised. Otherwise appears okay. Proceeding on to junction aboard
+freight."
+
+Bob breathed a sigh of relief for he was honestly glad to know that no
+serious harm had befallen Tully.
+
+"Are you going on with us or will you stay here?" asked the conductor.
+
+Bob hesitated for only a moment.
+
+"I'm going on," he decided, for he knew that Tully would be placed in
+good hands by the railroad people and could proceed on alone to his
+assignment as soon as he felt well enough. In the meantime, Bob was still
+convinced that Joe Hamsa was somewhere aboard the Limited for he knew
+that Hamsa's destination, like his own, was somewhere along the east
+coast of Florida and he felt sure that Hamsa would lose no time in
+attempting to reach it. In view of that, Bob felt the gangster would
+continue on the Limited.
+
+Two short, impatient blasts sounded up ahead and the Limited jerked into
+motion as Bob and the conductor swung back onto the train.
+
+Bob had the borrowed revolver in one hand and as he swung up after the
+conductor one hand slipped on the wet handrail and he nearly fell. To
+save himself he grasped the railing with the other hand and dropped the
+gun just as the Limited rolled over a small culvert. It was impossible to
+stop and retrieve the gun and Bob was unarmed for a second time that
+night.
+
+"I guess the fellow you're hunting has disappeared for good," said the
+conductor as he lowered the trap in the vestibule.
+
+Bob, shaking the rain off his coat, nodded absent-mindedly and the
+trainman went forward while Bob returned to the Pullman. A queer feeling
+went through his body as he walked down the silent car. It was from this
+car that their confidential documents had disappeared and it was from the
+very berth that Bob had intended occupying that Tully had vanished.
+
+The porter was evidently keeping as far away from the car as possible for
+he failed to answer Bob's summons. However, a berth farther down the car
+had been made up and Bob decided to slip off his shoes and lie down there
+to rest.
+
+With a little relaxation he might be able to think better; perhaps even
+to unravel all of the strange events which had taken place on the train
+since it had left Washington.
+
+The Limited sped southward steadily and the clicking of the trucks soon
+lulled Bob to sleep in spite of his efforts to keep awake.
+
+The young federal agent had no idea how long he had been asleep when he
+awoke suddenly with the breathless blackness of the car all around him.
+He rallied his thoughts.
+
+The lights in the car had been on the last he could remember, for he had
+not drawn the curtains of his berth.
+
+Bob sat upright in the berth and waited. The trucks were still echoing
+the pace of the train and Bob thought that the porter might have snapped
+the wrong switch.
+
+Then he heard a movement down the aisle and knew instantly that some one
+was in the car.
+
+Could it be Hamsa? That was the first question that flashed through Bob's
+mind.
+
+The federal agent gathered his feet beneath him. There wasn't even time
+for him to grope under the berth in quest of his shoes for he could hear
+the stealthy approach of the intruder.
+
+Bob strained his eyes in an effort to detect the movement of the marauder
+but the darkness of the car was too dense. He could only wait, but he
+felt that he had an advantage now, for he would be able to take the other
+by surprise.
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter XV
+                              IN THE AISLE
+                                   *
+
+
+The Limited heeled sharply as it struck a curve and the whistle moaned a
+warning through the wetness of the night. A street light flickered by and
+in the flash of light that penetrated the car Bob caught a fleeting
+glimpse of a man in the aisle. The figure of the intruder was heavy and
+he was hunched forward. There had been no chance to recognize the face,
+but Bob was sure now that the other man in the car was Hamsa.
+
+Another street light shot a beam through the windows and it played
+squarely on the face of the man in the aisle. It was Hamsa!
+
+Bob felt in his coat pockets for something to defend himself and his
+groping hands came on the blackjack which Hamsa had used on Tully. There
+was the grim hint of a smile on Bob's lips as he slipped his right hand
+through the leather thong on the leaden slug. He now had both an
+effective and dangerous weapon and he knew he would be justified in using
+it.
+
+Once more there came the streak of light in the car as the Limited roared
+over another crossing and Bob saw that Hamsa was nearer, almost at the
+head of the berth.
+
+With his muscles tense and his whole body balanced, Bob waited for
+another flash of light from the street which would give him an
+opportunity to strike down the intruder. Then the clatter of the trucks
+over switch points told him the train was out of the village. Whatever
+happened from that point on would probably be in utter darkness unless
+the porter happened to come back into the car and turn on the lights.
+
+The Limited settled down to its steady stride again and Bob, tense and
+crouching waited. His breath was coming in short jerks and he was afraid
+that his heart was pounding so hard its beats would be audible to the
+other who was intent on catching him by surprise in the darkened berth.
+
+By straining his eyes Bob finally made out the approaching shadow that
+was Hamsa. He drew back his right arm and waited.
+
+Hamsa came nearer, treading cautiously lest he alarm the youth he
+believed was sleeping soundly in the berth.
+
+Suddenly a beam of light shot out from Hamsa's hand as he turned on a
+flash light, but the rays fell only on the rumpled bedclothes.
+
+Bob heard a smothered exclamation from the other and before Hamsa could
+swing the beam of the flash light around in search of him he struck forth
+with the blackjack.
+
+Just as Bob swung the weapon the trucks hit a sag in the track and the
+young federal agent was thrown partially off balance. He had aimed at
+Hamsa's head, and although his blow missed that the weapon crashed down
+on his shoulder and Bob heard a sharp cry of pain.
+
+He jerked back the weapon and struck again and again. Each time he heard
+a cry of pain and then the flash light thudded to the floor and its beam
+went out.
+
+They went at it hand to hand then, Hamsa wresting the blackjack away from
+Bob and hurling it to the far end of the car. The other man was much
+older and twice as heavy as Bob, but he was not as lithe and his fists
+could not move as rapidly.
+
+It was a bitter struggle there in the narrow, darkened aisle of the
+Pullman. Hamsa kicked out viciously and the blow caught Bob in the
+stomach. He felt sick all over and dropped into the aisle, crouching
+there and seeking temporary shelter until he felt able to resume the
+battle.
+
+Hamsa bent down and searched for the flash light and Bob lashed out at
+him with one foot. The blow caught the other in the face and was answered
+by a startled exclamation of pain and rage.
+
+Then Bob's own hands came upon the flash light. He picked it up and his
+fingers sought the little button which controlled its beam of light. Bob
+turned on the light and the rays swept down the aisle, coming to rest on
+the battered face of Hamsa.
+
+It was not until then that Bob realized how powerful had been his own
+blows for it was obvious that his assailant was in distress. Now if he
+could land a real knockout he would be able to leave Hamsa long enough to
+summon assistance from the trainmen.
+
+Bob started down the aisle, but pulled up short when Hamsa drew a gun
+from his coat pocket. The young federal agent, unarmed, was in no
+position to face a man with a gun and he tried to duck behind a seat. But
+Hamsa fired a snap shot and the flash light, shattered by the bullet,
+dropped out of Bob's numbed hand.
+
+The tables had been turned. Where Bob had held the advantage a moment
+before with the flash light, Hamsa, aided by the darkness and his gun,
+was in a position to win.
+
+But he had evidently had enough of hand to hand encounters for one night
+and Bob heard him running toward the rear of the car. A moment later the
+door of the Pullman slammed shut.
+
+Bob stepped out into the aisle and massaged his right hand. It prickled
+sharply as the blood flowed back into the fingers which had been bruised
+by the flash light as the bullet had torn it out of his hands.
+
+Then Bob took up the chase, for he felt sure that Hamsa must be seeking
+his hideout on the train. If he could trace him to it, he would summon
+the trainmen to assist in the capture.
+
+Bob stepped cautiously into the rear vestibule of the car. There was no
+one there and the door to the next Pullman was open. He hastened inside
+and met a startled porter in the aisle.
+
+"Did a man just go down the aisle?" asked Bob.
+
+"Yes, sir, Boss, and he looked like he'd been in a fight."
+
+"That's the fellow I'm after," said Bob. "Run up ahead and get the
+conductor and any other trainmen you can. Tell them to get back here as
+fast as they can."
+
+Then Bob hastened down the aisle and the porter, willing enough to leave
+the car, went forward to carry out Bob's instructions.
+
+The young federal agent hastened through a second Pullman where the
+lights were low and finally stepped into the observation car. So far
+there had been no trace of Hamsa and no indication that he had sought
+shelter under one of the trap doors in the vestibules.
+
+Bob entered the observation car cautiously. The lights had been turned
+down and he stopped at the head end of the car and snapped on all of the
+switches, a torrent of light illuminating the interior of the car. Even
+the observation platform at the back end leaped into view as a special
+light out there came on under the magic touch of the switches.
+
+Bob stared hard at the back of the car. The door to the observation
+platform was open but beyond that he could see a man's legs dangling,
+apparently in midair. Bob threw caution aside then and raced toward the
+half open door at the rear of the car. The legs were being drawn upward,
+twisting and kicking as the man attempted to pull himself onto the roof
+of the observation car. This then was Hamsa's hiding place--on the roof
+of the rear car of the train!
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XVI
+                           FIGHTING FOR LIFE
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob leaped through the door and grabbed at Hamsa's legs. The other man
+kicked viciously, but Bob wrapped his arms around the legs and hung on.
+Once he had a good grip, he started pulling the other man down.
+
+Hamsa was big and he was powerful, but the steady pull from below
+weakened his grip on the steep rungs of the ladder which led to the top
+of the car and Bob could feel himself gaining. In less than a minute the
+other man would be down on the platform beside him and by that time the
+trainmen should be on hand to help him subdue Hamsa.
+
+There was a strange exultation in Bob's heart for he felt sure now that
+he was about to make the first capture in what he felt was to be the
+clean-up of the international gang of smugglers. It made little
+difference whether Hamsa had been trailing them south or whether they had
+encountered each other by accident. The message from Washington had
+indicated that Hamsa was deeply involved and Bob was determined to make
+the capture.
+
+The steady pull Bob put on Hamsa's legs and the tightness of his grasp
+was relentless. Slowly the other man was weakening and Bob braced himself
+and prepared to release Hamsa's legs and cut loose with a half dozen hard
+punches when the other man finally dropped to the observation platform.
+
+There was a commotion at the head end of the car and Bob shifted his head
+just enough to see the train conductor and brakeman, followed by a
+wide-eyed Pullman porter, hurry in.
+
+Hamsa kicked convulsively with his legs, but Bob tightened his grasp.
+Then, without warning, without giving Bob a chance to get set, Hamsa
+suddenly released his hold and dropped. It all happened so quickly that
+Bob later found it a little hard to remember just what took place.
+
+On the split second while he was dropping to the observation platform,
+Hamsa must have seen the trainmen charging down the aisle of the car, for
+when he landed, he was a bundle of tremendous energy that seemed to
+explode in Bob's face.
+
+Great, bear-like arms wrapped themselves around Bob and the young federal
+agent felt himself being lifted upward. For a moment he was helpless, too
+surprised even to attempt to struggle, but a sharp cry from behind him
+caused him to try to strike out with his feet for beneath came the sudden
+rumble of the trucks on a trestle and he knew that Hamsa, in a last
+desperate effort, was attempting to hurl him from the rear platform of
+the train.
+
+The young federal agent wrapped his own arms around Hamsa and clung to
+him desperately. If Bob went, Hamsa would go with him. Of that he was
+certain. The rail of the platform struck Bob's hips and he felt himself
+being forced backward. It was sickening to hear the rumble of the trestle
+beneath and a flood of rain beat down on his face, drenching the upper
+half of his body.
+
+Then Hamsa gave one last, tremendous shove and Bob knew that he was going
+over the edge of the railing, but Hamsa was going with him. The speed of
+the Limited had slackened, but it was still doing at least twenty miles
+an hour when Bob and Hamsa, locked arm in arm, went over the rear
+platform. Bob closed his eyes for the shock of striking the trestle would
+be terrific. If he could only remain on the bridge there would be some
+chance of rescue for the trainmen had seen them go over the back end and
+would hurry back in a searching party.
+
+As they left the train, Bob managed to get one last twist with his toes
+and as they fell, he was on top. The drop from the train to the trestle
+seemed endless. The clatter of the train trucks had dimmed, but a whistle
+up ahead was blaring an alarm.
+
+Then they struck the trestle--struck it hard and rolled over once. The
+fall dazed Bob, but through his foggy mind he could hear the rush of
+water somewhere below.
+
+Hamsa had rolled away from him but it was too dark to see just where and
+Bob clung to the wet steel of one of the rails. He was too weak and
+shaken to think of attempting to get to his feet and back of him he could
+hear the shriek of the air brakes as they clamped down on the wheels of
+the Limited and brought the Southern to an emergency stop just beyond the
+edge of the long trestle.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XVII
+                           INTO ANGRY WATERS
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob ached in every muscle and he wondered, as he lay there on the trestle
+with the rain beating down on him, if the dangers of being a federal
+agent were worth the rewards. Then he swept that thought aside. Of course
+it was worth it, for he was on the side of right and honor--a side for
+which many a sacrifice could be willingly made.
+
+As he lay on the bridge, trying to rally his senses and waiting for
+enough strength to flow back through his body to enable him to sit up,
+Bob's eyes became more accustomed to the rain and the night. He tried to
+pick out the form of Hamsa, who must be close to him, for the other man
+had been underneath when they fell. The shock had been severe enough for
+Bob and he wondered if the other had been seriously injured.
+
+Finally Bob's straining eyes picked out the form of the other man. He was
+some feet away and beyond the outside rail of the trestle--on the very
+edge of the bridge where a false move would plunge him into the rushing
+waters below.
+
+Bob tried to move, but he was still too weak and Hamsa was a dozen feet
+away. He wanted to reach him and pull him away from the edge.
+
+Someone at the end of the bridge was shouting and Bob turned his head to
+see a group of trainmen, lanterns in their hands, making their way out on
+the long trestle. They were coming cautiously for the long rain had made
+the timbers slippery and treacherous.
+
+As the trainmen moved out on the bridge, Bob's eyes went back to Hamsa.
+To his surprise the other man was moving, struggling to sit up, and Bob
+called out a warning.
+
+"Don't move, Hamsa!" he ordered. "You're under arrest. Stay where you are
+or you'll fall off the bridge."
+
+There was no reply from the other, but he continued his struggle to sit
+up and Bob tried to drag himself closer to the man he had placed under
+arrest. There was no strength left in his own arms or legs and he could
+go only a foot or two.
+
+The glow from the lanterns of the approaching trainmen now penetrated the
+blackness and Bob could see Hamsa's face turned toward him.
+
+"You're clever, Kid," growled the other, "but you're not going to arrest
+me this time. I'll see you later and when I do, watch out!"
+
+Then the other turned and deliberately rolled to the edge of the trestle.
+
+"Hamsa, you're under arrest!" cried Bob. But he knew the words were
+futile for the only reply was a mocking laugh. Then Hamsa disappeared
+over the edge and seconds later there was the dull splash of a heavy body
+striking the water. Bob thought he heard the mocking laugh once more, but
+he couldn't be sure.
+
+Then the trainmen, led by the conductor, reached the scene.
+
+"Where's the other fellow?" demanded the conductor.
+
+Bob pointed to the darkness below.
+
+"He just rolled over the edge," he said.
+
+The startled conductor went to the edge of the trestle and swung his
+lantern over the side, but only the rush of dark waters could be seen.
+
+"That's the last you'll see of him," he said. "This stream is on a
+rampage and only a powerful man could get to shore."
+
+Bob nodded, but he was not sure about the conductor's surmise that he had
+seen the last of Hamsa for he was both a powerful and resourceful man.
+
+The trainmen helped Bob to his feet and assisted him back to the Limited.
+
+"I guess now you'll be content to go to bed and give us a little rest,"
+said the conductor when Bob reached his own berth.
+
+"I've got to get off a telegram first," replied Bob. "Give me the name of
+that stream and the correct time."
+
+The conductor supplied the information and Bob wrote a brief report of
+the night's events and addressed it to Waldo Edgar, the chief of the
+division of investigation back in Washington.
+
+"See that this message is dispatched at the first stop," said Bob. Then
+he turned, crawled between the crisp, cool sheets, and dropped into a
+deep sleep of exhaustion.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XVIII
+                            PICKING UP CLUES
+                                   *
+
+
+When he awoke the Limited was pulling into the train shed at Jacksonville
+and his uncle, Merritt Hughes, was waiting for him on the platform.
+
+The older federal agent jumped aboard the Limited before it came to a
+full stop and hastened down the aisle to the berth where Bob, still the
+only occupant of the car, was partially dressed.
+
+"How are you, Bob?" There was real anxiety in the question as Merritt
+Hughes looked down on his capable young nephew.
+
+"I'm a little stiff, but otherwise all right," grinned Bob. "My bag is
+under the berth. See if you can find a clean shirt for me."
+
+"Never mind the shirt now. I want to know what happened last night. We
+got only the briefest word from Washington over the wires and Condon
+Adams left before dawn for the hospital up the line where they took
+Tully."
+
+"Is he all right?" asked Bob.
+
+"I understand he'll have to stay in bed for a couple of days."
+
+"What about the man we knew as Joe Hamsa?"
+
+Merritt Hughes shook his head.
+
+"There are no reports on him. There's a large searching party out looking
+along the banks of the stream where he disappeared, but it looks like
+we've seen the last of him."
+
+Bob wished that he could have had the confidence his uncle displayed in
+believing that Joe Hamsa was gone forever.
+
+At his uncle's urging, Bob recounted in detail everything that had taken
+place after the Limited left Washington.
+
+"So Hamsa hid out on top of the observation car?" mused the federal
+agent. "Well, that's a new one for me. No wonder you failed to find him
+even though you went through the train several times."
+
+Bob motioned toward his bag beneath the berth, "Now how about my shirt?
+Then some breakfast, and I'll be ready to go along on my assignment."
+
+"You'll do nothing of the kind. You're going to spend the rest of the day
+in bed in my room at the hotel. Tomorrow we'll talk about your going on
+to Atalissa. I'm not sure that I want you to go there alone. It's a tough
+little town. People know too much there, but they won't talk. Either
+scared or in league with some illegal racket."
+
+"And you figure the racket is the jewel smuggling?"
+
+Merritt Hughes nodded gravely.
+
+"This thing is big, Bob," he went on. "As you know from the confidential
+report you got, we feel sure that only a few men are actually involved in
+the ring, but they must be men of great daring and resourcefulness, for
+they have managed to elude some of the best detectives."
+
+"Then it seems kind of foolish for me to tackle it," said Bob, half to
+himself and half to his uncle.
+
+"Not at all. A new, younger man may have some ideas that older men in the
+service would not have. You've had one break in getting Hamsa out of the
+way and we're sure that he was linked with the gang."
+
+"I guess there's no question about that for he stole the confidential
+reports Tully and I had."
+
+"Then what does that mean to you?" asked Bob's uncle.
+
+The younger agent, struggling to button a shirt collar that was too
+tight, stopped and sat down on the edge of the berth.
+
+"In the first place it means that he wanted to find out just what the
+federal people knew about the operations of the gang. Then it appears
+pretty obvious that he didn't want any more federal men nosing around
+Atalissa and Nira."
+
+"Right in both cases," agreed Merritt Hughes. "Now what?"
+
+"Well, it follows that there must be some good reason for this interest
+in federal operations, and all I can figure out is that the gang is
+getting ready to smuggle in a large amount of gems."
+
+"Go to the head of the class; you've had a perfect score. The question
+now follows, what shall we do?"
+
+"Are you going to try to demote me now?" grinned Bob.
+
+"No, I'm just trying to find out how far along the way you'll get by
+sound deduction and logic."
+
+"Then I'd say that we ought to go through with our original plans and
+that Tully and I proceed on to our assignments at once with additional
+agents held ready to back us up if we get in a jam or things break wide
+open and we need help."
+
+"You're not worrying about Hamsa having escaped from the river and
+getting word to the others in the gang?"
+
+"Of course I'm thinking about that angle, but that's a chance we'll have
+to take," replied Bob.
+
+"We'll make the decision tomorrow. There may be some further advices from
+Washington by that time."
+
+Bob finished dressing and his uncle picked up his bag and together they
+walked out into the train shed.
+
+"Breakfast is going to taste good to me," said Bob. "Don't waste any time
+in getting there."
+
+"Then we'll eat at the restaurant in the station," decided his uncle.
+
+Breakfast was served quickly after they placed their orders and Bob ate
+the meal with real relish. Corn cakes with a thick coating of maple syrup
+especially pleased him and he had a second order.
+
+After the meal was finished, they walked through the main waiting room of
+the station and to the taxi stand just beyond where Merritt Hughes
+signalled for a vehicle, and they were soon speeding toward the hotel.
+
+Bob, still stiff and sore from his encounter the night before with Joe
+Hamsa, leaned back against the cushions and enjoyed the trip, for this
+was his first visit to Florida. The streets were broad, the homes
+hospitable and life seemed to move at a more leisurely pace than it did
+in the northern cities with which he was familiar.
+
+The hotel, a modest sized structure, was done in Spanish architecture and
+his uncle had two rooms on the fourth floor looking down on an inner
+court where there was a spacious swimming pool flanked by stubby palm
+trees.
+
+"Now for a shower bath and I'll feel like I really wanted to live again,"
+said Bob.
+
+"I've got several reports to make out and mail to the bureau in
+Washington," said his uncle, "and I'll get them out of the way while
+you're taking your shower."
+
+Bob undressed and adjusted the spray in the shower to his liking. For ten
+minutes he relaxed under the soothing flow of the water and when he
+finally emerged his muscles were not as sore and tight and his head felt
+clearer. As he rubbed his body briskly with a heavy towel, one thought
+troubled him. What had caused the sudden illness which had befallen Tully
+and later had nearly struck him down on the train? While he dressed, Bob
+told his uncle about these incidents.
+
+"You say you felt something like a sharp blow on the face before you
+became ill?" asked the older federal agent.
+
+"That's right."
+
+"Then you were gassed."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XIX
+                              THE WARNING
+                                   *
+
+
+"Gassed!" exclaimed Bob incredulously.
+
+"Certainly. Tully got a full-sized dose and you probably got only half a
+one, which accounts for the varying degrees of your illness and nausea."
+
+"But we couldn't have been gassed," replied Bob.
+
+"Oh yes you could. Modern crooks sometimes turn to science to help them
+and I know as a fact that small amounts of gas, which make the victim
+desperately ill, can be obtained in thin glass capsules. These capsules
+are so small they can be flipped off the end of a finger or thrown in
+some other manner with great accuracy. If they strike near the nose, the
+impact shatters them and the gas is released, causing a violent illness
+which usually makes the victim unconscious."
+
+"That's what happened," cried Bob. "Why your explanation fits perfectly,
+only I didn't get a full dose. Perhaps there was too much fresh air in
+the car I was in."
+
+"The pellet of glass might have struck you a glancing blow," suggested
+his uncle.
+
+"How can you defend yourself against this?" asked Bob.
+
+"The only safe way would be by a gas mask, but now that you know such
+things can happen you can be on the lookout. If you ever feel a similar
+impact that arouses your suspicion, don't breathe, but rush to some other
+spot before you take another gulp of air. That should enable you to
+escape the gas."
+
+"I'm going to remember that," promised Bob.
+
+"Better take a nap now. After you wake up you can type out your detailed
+report for Washington," advised Merritt Hughes.
+
+Bob didn't especially relish the idea of sleeping when he felt he should
+be on his way to Atalissa, but he was thoroughly relaxed and a great
+fatigue had crept over him. So it was with real gratitude that he crept
+in between crisp sheets. He was asleep in less than a minute. Some time
+later his uncle looked in and pulled down the shades at the windows.
+Later he went out for a time, and when he returned Bob was still in a
+deep sleep. It was late afternoon before Bob finally roused from his
+slumber, but he felt much like his former self. Of course there were a
+few bruises and several strained muscles, but he could walk without
+creaking in every joint.
+
+Bob dressed and went into the adjoining room which his uncle occupied.
+The federal agent had gone out several hours before, but his portable
+typewriter was on a low table and Bob sat down and started to work on his
+report which was to be air mailed to Washington.
+
+The report was lengthy for Bob went into great detail and the afternoon
+faded into early night. He snapped on a desk light and continued with his
+work. When he was through he straightened up and stretched his arms for
+he had been hunched over the typewriter for more than an hour and a half.
+
+Bob leaned back in his chair and read the report with care, correcting an
+occasional error which he had made in the manuscript. That done, he
+addressed a large envelope, and went down to the desk in the lobby where
+he secured air mail stamps and learned that by prompt mailing the letter
+would be delivered in Washington the next morning.
+
+Bob was hungry, but he waited for a time for his uncle. Now that he was
+thoroughly rested, he was anxious to make plans for the trip to Atalissa.
+After waiting in the lobby for half an hour, Bob went into the dining
+room which opened to the right, leaving word where he could be found.
+
+A supper with a fresh fish steak as the main course appeased his hunger
+and he ate leisurely. A newsboy, walking through the restaurant,
+attracted his attention and he purchased an evening paper, scanning the
+headlines while he completed his meal with a chocolate sundae.
+
+Bob wondered if the reporters had been tipped off by the trainmen as to
+what had taken place the night before on the Southern Limited. He
+searched every page of the paper, but there was no mention of the
+disappearance of Joe Hamsa.
+
+It was nearly mid-evening by the time Bob was through with his meal and
+he returned to the lobby, inquiring for any possible information about
+his uncle.
+
+"He left about four o'clock," said the clerk on duty. "I happened to see
+him step into the street and he turned to the right. I'm positive he
+hasn't been back since then."
+
+Bob thanked the clerk for the information, meager though it was. It would
+do no harm to go for a stroll and he stepped out into the street. Like
+his uncle had done, he turned right on a street which led down to the
+water front.
+
+He soon found himself in a poorer part of the city. Street lights were
+far apart and their globes dirty. Houses and shops seemed to be hiding
+and the men who went along the street did not look up.
+
+Two policemen strolled by and Bob whistled for he knew what it meant when
+officers made their beat in pairs. He doubted whether his uncle had
+visited this district and he turned and walked back to the hotel.
+
+A clock was striking ten when Bob re-entered the lobby. He was almost at
+the elevators when the clerk called to him.
+
+"Telephone call just coming in for you," he said. "You can answer here if
+you wish."
+
+Bob hastened over to the desk. It must be his uncle, phoning to tell him
+that he had been detained.
+
+Bob picked up the instrument which the clerk handed him and placed the
+receiver to his ear. A gruff voice spoke, "Is this Bob Houston?"
+
+It was a strange voice and Bob tried to catalog its timbre, for it was
+pitched unusually low.
+
+"This is Bob Houston speaking," he replied quietly.
+
+"Then listen to what I've got to say. We've got your uncle and we'll get
+you and any other federal men who attempt to trail us. Get off this case
+and stay off if you ever want to see him alive again and you can tell
+that to Washington."
+
+
+
+
+                               Chapter XX
+                              MEAGER HOPES
+                                   *
+
+
+Before Bob could reply he heard the receiver on the other end of the line
+click. He whirled to the hotel clerk.
+
+"Any idea where that call came from?" he asked.
+
+"No."
+
+"Get the chief operator for me at once," said Bob, pulling out his badge
+to speed the clerk's efforts. To the chief operator Bob explained who he
+was and what he wanted.
+
+"Hold the line," said the telephone official.
+
+Bob leaned his elbows hard against the desk. He needed the extra support
+for he had suddenly gone weak all over. There had been grave menace in
+the throaty voice which had come over the wire and he did not doubt the
+truth of the threat.
+
+It was entirely possible that his uncle had been captured by the
+smugglers they were trailing and Bob knew, after his encounter with
+Hamsa, that they were perfectly capable of using the most drastic means
+to put out of the way any obstacle to the success of their plans.
+
+The chief operator spoke again.
+
+"Your call came from a pay station in a drug store near the water front."
+
+Bob obtained the name of the drug store and he whirled away from the desk
+and ran outside to the taxi stand. He jumped into the first cab and gave
+the address of the drug store.
+
+"Step on it driver. I'll clear you with any traffic officer that stops
+us."
+
+"I've heard that story before," grunted the driver as he shifted the
+gears.
+
+"This talks," said Bob, shoving his badge into view of the driver.
+
+"You said it, mister," said the taxi man, and the cab leaped ahead as he
+trod heavily on the accelerator.
+
+The cab wove in and out of a web of traffic, then shot away down a dark
+street, took several corners on two wheels, and after threading through
+several narrower streets, drew up beside a well lighted corner drug
+store.
+
+"Wait here," ordered Bob, jumping from the cab and hurrying into the
+store.
+
+Two clerks were on duty and Bob addressed himself to the older man.
+
+Motioning toward the telephone booth at the rear of the store, he fired
+his first question.
+
+"Give me a description of the man who put in a call from here not more
+than fifteen minutes ago."
+
+The man to whom Bob addressed the question appeared to resent his
+intrusion, and his reply was far from courteous.
+
+"You've got the wrong place and besides I don't like you."
+
+That touched off Bob's temper and his anger blazed.
+
+"Give me the information I want and give it to me at once or you're going
+on a quick ride to jail. Who phoned from that booth?"
+
+At the same time Bob revealed the metal shield in his hand which
+identified him, and the entire attitude of the clerk changed.
+
+"Why didn't you tell me you were a federal man in the first place?" he
+grumbled.
+
+"I want to know who made that call," insisted Bob.
+
+"Well, I didn't pay a whole lot of attention. There were a couple of
+other customers in the store. He was kind of tall, and about thirty-five
+I'd say."
+
+"What kind of clothes was he wearing?"
+
+"He had on a coverall suit and a dark hat."
+
+"How about his hair and eyes. Was there anything on his face that would
+make it easy to identify him?"
+
+The younger clerk spoke up.
+
+"I noticed his low, deep voice," he said, "and there was a little scar
+just in front of one ear."
+
+"Which one?"
+
+The clerk turned half away from Bob as though assuming the position in
+which the stranger had appeared to him.
+
+"It was the left ear," he replied. "I'm sure about that now."
+
+"Notice anything else about him? Did he appear nervous or in a hurry to
+get away?"
+
+"He wasn't exactly nervous, but after he came out of the booth he didn't
+linger around."
+
+"Did he have a car?"
+
+"No, he walked in here, but just after he left I heard a motorboat
+getting under way. You know it's less than a block to the water front."
+
+There was no more information to be gained from the clerks in the store
+and Bob returned to the street where the cab was waiting.
+
+"Roll on down to the water front," he told the driver.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXI
+                           SPECIAL AGENT NINE
+                                   *
+
+
+Along the river the docks appeared deserted and there was not even a
+watchman in sight. Bob returned to the cab.
+
+"Wheel for the central police station and don't lose any time," he
+commanded.
+
+The cab shot away and Bob sank back into the seat, his head in a whirl.
+Somehow, he felt sure, the tangled threads would weave into a pattern
+that he could solve, but he had to admit that right now he was up against
+a seeming impasse.
+
+The cab driver broke almost every speed record in Jacksonville that night
+and more than once they averted smashed fenders by the narrowest of
+margins.
+
+A police siren shrilled behind them and the driver looked over his
+shoulder.
+
+"Motorcycle cop coming," he cried.
+
+"How far is it to the station?" asked Bob.
+
+"Two blocks."
+
+"Then keep on going."
+
+The driver pressed the accelerator to the floor boards and the cab leaped
+ahead, ran through a red light in spite of the waving arms of another
+traffic officer, and then shrieked to a stop before the central police
+station.
+
+Behind them the siren rose and then fell as the motorcycle officer
+wheeled to the curb.
+
+"Smart guys, smart guys," he yelled. "Look where you stopped?"
+
+Grinning, he pointed to the sign which designated the building as the
+police station.
+
+"Just go right on in and make yourselves at home. You'll be there long
+enough. I'm going to slap half a dozen traffic charges against you."
+
+Bob had no time to waste words with a traffic officer.
+
+"Come on in and place all of the charges you want to," he snapped,
+motioning to the taxi driver to accompany him.
+
+Once inside the station, Bob hastened to the main desk where a night
+captain was on duty.
+
+"I'm Bob Houston, special agent nine of the Department of Justice," he
+explained, displaying the badge which he held in his hand. "It was
+necessary for me to reach here without loss of time and the driver of my
+cab ran through some red lights. Please see that any charges against him
+are dismissed."
+
+The night captain nodded and waved the motorcycle officer aside.
+
+"Why all the hurry?" he asked.
+
+"My uncle, a federal agent, walked out of the hotel this afternoon and
+failed to return. A few minutes ago I was warned that unless the federal
+men were taken off a certain case, he would never be seen alive again."
+
+"Think it was a fake threat?"
+
+"No. It was serious enough. I traced the call to a public booth in a drug
+store down near the water front. The clerks were able to give me only a
+fair description of the man who made the call, but one of them told me a
+motorboat had started down river shortly after the man left."
+
+"Any description of the boat?" pressed the night captain.
+
+"There was no one along the water front."
+
+"Then I'm afraid it's going to be tough to pick up that boat. It's as
+black as pitch tonight, but we'll see what we can do."
+
+"I'd like to use a private room where I can phone Washington," said Bob
+and the officer pointed to a doorway to the left and rear of his own
+desk. Before he entered, Bob paid his taxi bill and handed the driver a
+generous tip.
+
+Once in the private room, Bob dropped into a leather upholstered chair.
+Calling long distance, he asked for a certain number in Washington that
+was called only when something of the utmost importance happened.
+
+"Lines north are busy at present," said the operator.
+
+But the information Bob had could not wait and he asked for the chief
+operator. In quick, terse sentences he explained who he was and the
+importance of his message.
+
+Faint clicking sounds could be heard in the receiver, then Washington
+answered and Bob knew that his call was being given the right-of-way over
+everything else.
+
+A quiet voice asked, "Who's speaking?" and Bob knew that he was in
+contact with Waldo Edgar, the grim, efficient head of the government's
+greatest man-hunting division.
+
+"This is Bob Houston. I'm at the central police station at Jacksonville.
+Merritt Hughes, my uncle, has been kidnaped within the last few hours."
+
+"What's that?" There was explosive energy in the question which was
+hurled back over the wires.
+
+Bob repeated his message, elaborating a little this time.
+
+"But Bob, that's impossible."
+
+"I thought so too, at first," confessed Bob, "but after that warning
+phone call I changed my mind."
+
+"Call your hotel again. I'll hold the line."
+
+Bob stepped outside and from another phone got in touch with his hotel.
+There had been no word about his uncle, the clerk assured him, and Bob
+returned to the private room, where he relayed the news northward.
+
+He heard Waldo Edgar's breath suck in.
+
+"What have you done?" came the question, and Bob was ready.
+
+He told of his own attempt and added that he had enlisted the aid of the
+Jacksonville police.
+
+"That's right as far as you've gone," said his chief. "Unfortunately a
+big kidnaping has broken in the midwest and all of the extra men are
+concentrated there. Condon Adams will be back in Jacksonville shortly
+after midnight and you must get in touch with him."
+
+There was a brief pause while the federal chief mulled over plans for his
+next strategy.
+
+"This isn't going to be easy to do, Bob," he said, "but I'm counting on
+you going to your assignment at Atalissa at once. This gang must be about
+to pull off a really big job and I have a feeling the disappearance of
+your uncle is a step to keep federal men from concentrating further south
+along the coast. Get all of the information you can and turn it over to
+Condon Adams when he arrives. Then you continue south and Adams will take
+up the search for your uncle. As soon as additional men can be spared,
+they will be sent to aid you."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXII
+                           A HARD ASSIGNMENT
+                                   *
+
+
+It was a hard assignment to take, but Bob acquiesced. He would have
+preferred to remain in Jacksonville and search for his uncle, but he
+realized the logic in Waldo Edgar's deductions.
+
+"Keep in close touch with me, Bob, and if it looks like things are going
+to break down the coast, we'll get help to you. Keep your chin up now,
+and give them all you've got."
+
+The receiver on the far end of the line clicked and Bob hung up the
+instrument he had used. The night captain stuck his head in the door.
+
+"I've sent word to the coast guard to keep a close watch for any unusual
+boat. Maybe they'll be able to turn up something."
+
+"But we don't know it was an unusual boat," protested Bob.
+
+"Well, we didn't have any description and I had to tell them something,"
+said the policeman.
+
+They returned to the main desk. The night captain was curious.
+
+"Lot of federal men coming in?" he asked.
+
+But Bob was noncommittal. He would be going further south in a few hours
+and the search for clues here would be turned over to Condon Adams. One
+thing he did need, was a good revolver and ammunition for the rifle.
+
+He made known his wants to the night captain.
+
+"It isn't the usual thing, but I guess we can fix you up," said the
+policeman.
+
+He called another officer to take charge of the desk and led the way into
+a rear room where there was a whole rack of guns.
+
+"Look these over and take your choice."
+
+The night captain opened the case and Bob tried half a dozen revolvers in
+his hand until he found one that was balanced to suit him.
+
+"This feels like a good gun," he said. "I'll take it."
+
+From another case the captain produced a generous supply of ammunition.
+
+"There's a range downstairs if you'd like to try your marksmanship," he
+volunteered.
+
+Bob knew that in the coming hours he might find himself in a position
+where a trusty gun would be a life saver and he accepted the captain's
+invitation.
+
+His finger was steady and the pressure on the trigger smooth. As a result
+he turned in a surprisingly good score and the policeman whistled when he
+saw the card Bob shot out.
+
+"Good work, boy. Anytime you get tired of this federal manhunting just
+let me know and I'll see that you have a job here."
+
+"Thanks a lot," replied Bob. "I may have to call on you if this case
+isn't solved successfully."
+
+When they returned upstairs the captain rummaged through the ammunition
+chest and finally found some cartridges which would fit Bob's rifle. A
+shoulder holster was also borrowed and Bob adjusted the straps so that it
+fitted neatly under his coat.
+
+After thanking the night captain for his assistance, Bob returned to the
+hotel. Another inquiry at the desk revealed that there had been no word
+from his uncle and Bob went upstairs.
+
+His body was tired from the strain of the last few hours and he took a
+warm shower, topping it off with a cold spray that sent the blood
+tingling through his body. Then he dressed in fresh clothes and stretched
+out on the bed for a little relaxation before going to the train to meet
+Condon Adams.
+
+Bob would have preferred to remain in Jacksonville to lead the hunt for
+his uncle, but he knew that Adams was both capable and ruthless and when
+a federal agent was kidnaped, personal feelings which Adams might have
+toward his uncle would vanish.
+
+Bob mulled over the preceding events and the disappearance of his uncle
+strengthened his belief that Hamsa had survived his fall off the trestle
+and into the flood waters the night before. If Hamsa had not survived,
+Bob doubted if his uncle would have been abducted for he knew that Hamsa
+would be afraid of the results when his uncle and he got to comparing
+notes.
+
+The feeling that some momentous activity by the smugglers was under way
+grew as Bob lay there on the bed. The leaders were desperate and yet
+courageous enough to attempt to do away with two federal agents and
+having failed to do that had kidnaped a third.
+
+Bob got up and scanned a map of Florida which he had obtained. His finger
+ran along the coastline until he came to Atalissa. Then he traced on down
+to Nira where Tully had been assigned. It was a desolate, sparsely
+inhabited section of the coast--an area which in centuries before had
+probably been a favorite hiding place for bands of pirates who had roved
+the Spanish main. Numerous indentations dotted the coast, offering ample
+shelter to men who were afraid of the law.
+
+With a start Bob noticed the time. It was after eleven o'clock. He was
+taking no chances and he adjusted the shoulder holster, filled the
+chambers of the revolver with shells, and slipped on his coat.
+
+At the desk downstairs he left word for the clerk to take any message
+which might come for him. Then he sped toward the station in a taxi. When
+he arrived at the terminal he found that the train Condon Adams was
+coming on was half an hour late, for the tracks north were still soft
+from the heavy rain of the preceding night.
+
+Bob sat down to wait for the arrival of the train and as the minutes
+slipped away he had the feeling that he was under observation. The hair
+along the back of his neck tingled and he wanted to turn around and stare
+at those back of him. Instead, he moved once or twice as though restless
+and finally stood up, stretched, and strolled over to the magazine stand,
+where he could turn around and see the entire concourse.
+
+Bob picked up a magazine and skimmed through the pages with fingers that
+turned the sheets mechanically while his keen eyes roved over the room.
+Finally he came back to a lightly built man who had been leaning against
+a radiator somewhat to the right and back of the bench on which he had
+been seated.
+
+The man was dressed in a poorly fitted dark suit, wore a cap, and moved
+restlessly. He was the only one in the scattered gathering of people in
+the station whom Bob would suspect of being there to watch him.
+
+Just then the lights flashed over an incoming train board and Bob turned
+and walked toward the train gates. Passengers started coming through the
+gate and among the first was the bulky form of Condon Adams. Bob called
+to him and Adams turned aside.
+
+"How's Tully?" asked Bob, who was really concerned over the condition of
+the young federal agent.
+
+Condon Adams' face lighted up, for he was genuinely fond of his nephew
+and Bob's inquiry touched a soft spot.
+
+"Getting along fine," he said. "Oh, he's pretty sore and all that, but
+he'll be able to continue on his assignment in two or three more days."
+
+"It was a tough break," said Bob and Adams nodded.
+
+"What's been going on?" he asked.
+
+"Plenty," replied Bob. "My uncle was kidnaped earlier this evening."
+
+Adams dropped his bag and whirled to Bob.
+
+"What's that?" he demanded, as though unable to believe the words.
+
+"My uncle disappeared this evening and everything points to a kidnaping
+by this gang of smugglers we're after," explained Bob.
+
+Condon Adams threw back his head and laughed, but it was a grim sort of
+laugh that sent chills down Bob's neck.
+
+"Well that's good," snorted Adams. "Merritt Hughes, ace federal
+manhunter, kidnaped. I suppose I'll have to hunt for him now instead of
+the kidnapers."
+
+"I guess that's about the size of things," replied Bob slowly. "I've been
+in touch with Washington. I'm to go on south to Atalissa on my original
+assignment and you are to take up the hunt here for him. I've already got
+the Jacksonville police on the case. When Tully comes out of the
+hospital, he is to continue to Nira as first ordered."
+
+"Let's get some coffee," said Condon Adams as they walked past the
+entrance of the station restaurant.
+
+The older federal agent slid his traveling bag into a corner and dropped
+down into a chair.
+
+"What a mess to get into," he said, half to himself and half to Bob. Then
+he looked up.
+
+"Your uncle means quite a lot to you?"
+
+Bob nodded. "You know he does. He got me into the service and he's pretty
+much of an older brother to me."
+
+A waitress took their orders before Adams spoke again.
+
+"Then you know how I feel about Tully; he's kind of a kid brother to me.
+But that's getting away from what I started to say. Your uncle and I have
+always been rivals in the service. One of us would solve a good case and
+then the other would win on the next one. He's never liked the way I got
+in through a little political help, but on the whole I've done a pretty
+good job. Gosh, I wouldn't know what to do if anything happened to him to
+take him out of the service."
+
+"He may be out for good now unless we can find him," said Bob bitterly.
+
+"That's just it, and Bob, differences are going to be forgotten for the
+time. Why I wouldn't be happy if your uncle and I weren't in some kind of
+a scrap to see who could solve a new case. We'll find him and we'll find
+him soon."
+
+"Then you'll work a hundred per cent on the case?" asked Bob.
+
+"Day and night," promised Condon Adams, reaching across the table to
+clasp Bob's hand firmly in his own and Bob knew that the older agent was
+a man of his word and highly competent in his own peculiar way.
+
+Cups of steaming coffee were set before them as well as the plate of
+doughnuts which Adams had ordered. They attacked the lunch with a will
+and Bob, draining his cup of coffee a few minutes later, caught another
+glimpse of the slender, slouching figure he had seen in the main waiting
+room.
+
+"Don't turn around," he said to Adams, "but when we get up, look at the
+little fellow in the dark cap and suit. He's outside looking in the
+window. I had a feeling in the station he was watching me."
+
+Condon Adams reached for the checks and stood up. In reaching for his
+traveling bag he was able to turn toward the broad glass window and get a
+good view of the man Bob had described.
+
+"I've never seen him before," said Adams, "but he doesn't look like a
+very savory character."
+
+He paid the bill for their lunch and as they stepped out of the
+restaurant and looked for a cab, the man in the dark suit sidled up to
+them.
+
+"You guys federal men?" he asked.
+
+Bob and Condon Adams whirled toward him.
+
+"What of it?" barked Adams.
+
+"I was just askin'. If you are, I've got a message for you."
+
+"Who from?" it was Bob now.
+
+The little man shook his head.
+
+"I don't know," he mumbled. "Fellow down on the water front gave me a
+note to give to the federals. Said one of them was at a hotel. When I
+inquired there I learned he'd gone to the station so I came along and
+thought I'd try you."
+
+He reached for an inner pocket and too late Bob divined what was
+happening. The street they were in was quiet now and suddenly there was
+danger in the air.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXIII
+                            SNAP AIM SCORES
+                                   *
+
+
+Before Bob could reach for his own gun, the little man had whipped a
+snub-nosed automatic from a shoulder holster under his left shoulder and
+his eyes gleamed in the dim street light.
+
+"How nice of you to tell me you were federals; saved me a lot of trouble.
+Smart guys, aren't you? Well, get going toward that car on the other side
+and don't make any bad steps."
+
+A cold rage gripped Bob. They had fallen into a neat trap and probably
+would soon be as helpless as his uncle, who had been kidnaped earlier in
+the evening. In the meantime, the smugglers would have ample time to run
+in a large sum of gems. Since they were willing to take the desperate
+chance of abducting three federal men, the amount must be tremendous.
+
+Condon Adams started to set down his traveling bag, but a sharp command
+from the little man stopped him.
+
+"Carry that bag and carry it carefully," he snapped. "You guys are going
+for a long boat ride."
+
+They walked rapidly across the street. In fact, Bob was in a hurry to
+reach the car. For some reason they had not been searched and if he could
+get inside the sedan he might be able to slip the revolver out of his
+shoulder holster. Condon Adams lagged a little; perhaps suspecting what
+was in Bob's mind.
+
+The door of the sedan opened as they neared and Bob saw a man slouched at
+the wheel. There was no one else in the car and Bob stepped into the
+sedan, his muscles tense and his nerves cold.
+
+"Stop!" the command was quiet but deadly and Bob halted halfway to the
+seat.
+
+"Back up and back up slow; I'm taking no chances on gunplay."
+
+The driver of the car sat up quickly.
+
+"Ain't you searched them, Benny?" he asked.
+
+"Shut up," snapped the man on the pavement and Bob, stepping back
+gingerly now, caught a glimpse of the man with the gun. There was just a
+chance of success for a desperate play and he took the chance.
+
+The gun in the shoulder holster was unfamiliar as was the holster, but
+Bob was half hidden by the darkness of the interior of the sedan. His
+right hand, moving like a flash, grasped the butt of the gun. Without
+attempting to pull it from the holster, Bob simply elevated the muzzle
+and pulled the trigger.
+
+He fired by instinct as much as anything and a flash of flame stabbed the
+night. On the echo of the shot came a sharp cry and the man on the
+pavement leaped backward, his own gun replying.
+
+Bob fired again and through the haze of smoke and the acrid smell of
+burning cloth saw the little man tumbling. The driver of the car swung
+toward Bob, but before he could get into the scrap, Bob jerked the gun
+from its holster and clubbed him over the head with the barrel. It was a
+savage blow, but he was dealing with men who knew no mercy themselves.
+The driver slumped forward in his seat and Bob, gun in hand, leaped from
+the car.
+
+Condon Adams, who had been able to draw his own weapon, was leaning over
+the man on the street.
+
+"Great work, Bob. I thought they were going to get away with this for a
+while."
+
+"Is he hurt badly?" asked Bob.
+
+"Well, I don't think he's going to be doing any more mischief for a good
+long time. Your first one caught his right shoulder and the second one
+took his left leg--that's what I'd call disabling a gangster."
+
+"It was spot shooting. I didn't have time to aim," explained Bob.
+
+"Then I hope I'm not the target when you really aim," said the older
+federal agent.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXIV
+                            AT THE HOSPITAL
+                                   *
+
+
+A policeman on duty at the station, attracted by the shooting, came on
+the run and Condon Adams flashed his federal badge.
+
+"Get an ambulance and get this man to a hospital. See that a heavy guard
+is placed at his bed. We'll take the fellow in the car down to the
+central station with us and make a personal report."
+
+The federal men remained on the scene until an ambulance arrived. In the
+meantime Condon Adams had handcuffed the driver of the car, who was now
+regaining consciousness. He pushed him into the back seat, tossed in his
+own traveling bag, and with Bob driving the car, they started for the
+police station.
+
+The trip was uneventful and they parked the car in front of the station
+where a few hours before Bob had telephoned the news of his uncle's
+abduction to Washington. The same night captain was on duty and his eyes
+widened when he saw Bob and Condon Adams with their handcuffed prisoner.
+
+Before the policeman could ply them with questions Condon Adams explained
+what had happened.
+
+"Throw this fellow into a solitary cell; I'll question him after I get
+back from the hospital," he said.
+
+"What charge shall I book him on?" asked the policeman.
+
+"Attempted abduction of a federal officer," snapped Adams, who then
+turned toward Bob.
+
+"We'll get over to the hospital now and see if the fellow you clipped
+with a couple of bullets is ready to talk."
+
+They hurried outside the station, but Adams stopped short when he saw the
+sedan at the curb.
+
+"I forgot all about the car," he said. "It's probably stolen. I'll report
+it to the captain."
+
+By the time the older federal agent was back Bob had a cab waiting at the
+curb and they told the driver to speed them to the hospital.
+
+"If we can get either one of these fellows to talk, it may be the break
+that will open up this case," mused Adams as the cab roared along the now
+almost deserted streets.
+
+They pulled up at the hospital where a dim light glowed over the
+entrance. There was no general admittance at that hour of the night, but
+continued ringing of the bell brought an orderly and they gained
+admission.
+
+Condon Adams revealed their identity to the night supervisor and asked
+the condition of the man who had been brought in.
+
+"He's resting fairly comfortably," said the nurse. "The bullet in his
+shoulder has been removed and the one in his leg will be taken out in the
+morning."
+
+"Case serious?" pressed Adams.
+
+"I wouldn't say so," replied the nurse cautiously, leading the way down
+the darkened corridor to a room where the lights were aglow. She opened
+the door and they stepped in, a nurse who had been near the bed rising as
+they entered. A policeman on the other side of the bed did likewise.
+
+"Don't make him talk too much," cautioned the night supervisor.
+
+Bob looked at the man who had attempted to kidnap them. His face was thin
+and marred with a sneer.
+
+"You fellows can save your breath. I won't talk," he said, an unpleasant
+whine in his voice, and Bob catalogued him as a dangerous man when armed,
+but one who was weak physically.
+
+"We'll see about that," said Adams confidently. "The boys down at the
+station are working over the fellow who was driving for you. If you don't
+talk here, we'll work you over when you get out."
+
+Bob knew that was only a threat, but he was interested in the reaction in
+the face of the man on the bed and he saw a weakening of the lines around
+the mouth as though the thought of physical punishment was unnerving.
+
+Condon Adams must have sensed the same thing for he advanced with a
+threatening gesture of his fists and the man on the bed cringed away from
+him.
+
+"You can't hit me," he cried.
+
+"Maybe not, but I'd like to," scowled Adams, and Bob knew that the older
+federal agent was sincere in that.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXV
+                             BOB GETS READY
+                                   *
+
+
+Adams plied the wounded man with questions, but all of the answers were
+evasive and he finally turned to Bob.
+
+"We'll let him go for tonight. I'll come back and see him tomorrow and
+I'll see him alone. I can make him talk."
+
+They left the room after admonishing the policeman on guard to remain on
+the alert for any attempt to free the wounded man.
+
+Out in the hallway Condon Adams confessed to his disappointment.
+
+"I thought maybe he'd break and talk. He's a weakling. I'll get it out of
+him later."
+
+"How much later?" asked Bob.
+
+"That's just it. I don't know. It may be too late to help in the hunt for
+your uncle."
+
+Down on the main floor of the hospital once more they telephoned for a
+taxicab and when it appeared, gave the driver orders to go to Bob's
+hotel. They were silent on the trip back into the heart of the city and
+when they reached the hotel Condon Adams registered for a room on the
+same floor as those of Bob and his uncle.
+
+Bob went directly to his own room and made a final inspection of the
+articles in his Gladstone bag. The rifle and ammunition appeared intact
+and he removed the revolver from the shoulder holster, cleaned it
+carefully and refilled the chambers.
+
+After that was done he inspected his coat. It appeared ruined beyond
+repair for the revolver bullets had torn through the cloth and sparks
+from the burning powder had extended the area of the damage.
+
+Bob removed the suit he had been wearing and got into the comfortable and
+rough and ready corduroys which he had brought with him. He laced up his
+boots and then adjusted the shoulder holster, making sure that it would
+swing free in case he faced any other emergencies similar to the one
+which had confronted them a little more than an hour before.
+
+Condon Adams tapped on the door and then came in.
+
+"About ready to start for Atalissa?" he asked.
+
+Bob nodded.
+
+"I can get a southbound local at 3 a. m. After about three hours I change
+to an accommodation train that finally winds up at Atalissa somewhere
+around noon. Not a very pleasant ride, but I don't want to attract
+attention either by breezing in there in a car or a boat and as the roads
+are none too good, I think the train is the best bet."
+
+"How about communications out of the village? You may need help in a
+hurry?"
+
+"I haven't checked up on them," confessed Bob.
+
+The older federal agent went to the telephone and after a lengthy
+conversation with the hotel clerk, secured the desired information.
+
+"The telegraph office at the railroad station is open from eight o'clock
+in the morning to five o'clock in the evening. The phone exchange, which
+seems to be pretty much of a one horse affair, closes at nine o'clock in
+the evening. If anything happens after that you'll have to get the
+operator out of bed in order to get a call through. I'm making my
+headquarters here. Let me know the minute anything turns up."
+
+"I'll do that," promised Bob, who, while he could not exactly warm up to
+Condon Adams, felt sure that the older man would bend every effort toward
+the recovery of his uncle. "I'll let you know where I can be reached in
+Atalissa so you can get news to me the minute Uncle Merritt is found."
+
+Condon Adams glanced at his wrist watch.
+
+"You haven't much time to lose if you're going to make that southbound
+local."
+
+Bob looked at his own watch. It was 2:45 o'clock. He closed his Gladstone
+bag and tightened the straps. Condon Adams walked ahead of him into the
+hall and then as far as the elevator.
+
+"Don't take too many chances, Bob, and keep your chin up. This thing is
+going to come out all right."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXVI
+                             "DON'T MOVE!"
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob wished that he could feel the confidence of Condon Adams' words as he
+stepped into the elevator and dropped toward the main floor. At the desk
+he turned in his room key and then took a taxi to the same station where
+earlier in the night, in company with Condon Adams, he had captured two
+of the suspected gem smugglers.
+
+The young federal agent purchased his ticket for Atalissa and the agent
+cautioned him about the change at the junction. Then Bob picked up his
+bag and walked through the now practically deserted waiting room and out
+into the train shed where a stubby, three car train was waiting for the
+final call of "booo-ard" to start its jerking journey southward. An
+express car and a combination baggage and mail car were behind the engine
+while the rear car was a dimly lighted coach.
+
+Bob climbed up the steps. The seats were of green plush, and halfway up
+the interior of the car was a wooden partition which marked the forward
+end of the coach as the smoking compartment. There were only two people
+in the rear half and Bob turned one seat over so a double seat would be
+available. Then he stuck his ticket in his hat band, folded up his
+corduroy coat for a pillow, and curled up to make the best of the lonely
+trip to Atalissa.
+
+The federal agent had dropped into a light sleep when the train started.
+He roused up long enough to hear it roll over a bridge and then he went
+back to sleep, failing to hear the conductor when he removed the ticket
+from the band of his hat.
+
+The local jerked and stopped and then jerked into motion again. This
+operation was repeated a number of times, but Bob slept heavily through
+it all, for his body was near exhaustion. It was well after dawn when he
+finally moved and he groaned softly as the blood started flowing once
+more through his cramped legs.
+
+Bob sat up and massaged his legs and arms. It was quite clear out now and
+the local was rocking along a desolate stretch of Florida east coast.
+Somewhere along the line the other passengers had left the train and Bob
+was now the only occupant of the coach.
+
+He got up and walked to the water cooler. Fortunately there was an ample
+supply of water and after bathing his face and hands with the cool
+liquid, he felt much refreshed though ravenously hungry.
+
+Up ahead the engineer blasted his whistle for a highway crossing and Bob
+felt the air brakes go on, the old wooden coach jumping around in protest
+as the speed dropped sharply. They clacked over switches and Bob, looking
+ahead, could see a weather beaten station, on the other side of which
+another train was standing. This, he concluded, must be the junction.
+
+The conductor, coming back from the baggage car, gave Bob his train
+check.
+
+"Don't have many passengers going to Atalissa," he said. "Them that wants
+to get there usually go by car or boat."
+
+The local rocked to a creaking halt and Bob, his Gladstone in hand,
+stepped down on the cinder platform.
+
+The accommodation which was to take him the rest of the way to Atalissa
+was on the other side of the station. The engine, an antiquated little
+affair, looked about like a teakettle, but the two freight cars and the
+passenger car on the back end were standard size equipment.
+
+The conductor, in faded blue overalls, looked at Bob's ticket.
+
+"Guess you're the only passenger," he said. "Well, we might as well be
+going."
+
+"How about breakfast?" asked Bob.
+
+"Hungry?" asked the conductor.
+
+"Just about starved," confessed Bob.
+
+"Well, we stop at Ainsworth about ten miles down the line. There's a
+little place there where you can get a bite to eat."
+
+There appeared to be nothing else to do so Bob climbed up the steps of
+the old wooden coach and put his Gladstone in the first seat at the rear.
+The engineer whistled a wheezy "high ball" and the conductor swung up on
+the back end as the accommodation started its daily run for the seacoast.
+
+The air in the coach was stuffy and Bob found it pleasanter on the rear
+platform, watching the track wind away in the distance and they swung
+around curves and chugged their way up steep grades. It seemed incredible
+that in such a peaceful appearing country there must be located the
+headquarters for a relentless band of smugglers.
+
+The second stop of the accommodation that morning was at Ainsworth and as
+the train slowed down for the station, the conductor came back and spoke
+to Bob.
+
+"We'll be here about fifteen minutes. That ought to give you time enough
+to get something to eat. Restaurant's right back of the station."
+
+Bob estimated that Ainsworth must be a village of some two hundred souls
+and he was dubious about the quality of the food which he would obtain,
+but when he stepped inside the eating house he was agreeably surprised by
+the cleanliness and an elderly woman took his order with pleasing
+promptness.
+
+Bob took a cold cereal, and ate it with relish while eggs and bacon
+sputtered on a stove in the kitchen. When they were ready he ordered
+coffee and several doughnuts.
+
+"Don't need to hurry too much, they won't go away without you," reassured
+the woman who waited on him.
+
+But Bob finished in ample time to enjoy a leisurely walk back to the
+train. When he reentered the day coach he was surprised to find another
+occupant, a large, heavy-boned man with a faded mustache and thinning
+hair. What surprised Bob even more was to see a badge on the other's vest
+and he strolled forward through the car. His eyes opened a little wider
+when he saw that the badge worn by the other said, "Sheriff."
+
+The water cooler was a convenient place to stop and Bob, studying the
+other man in leisure, drank two cups of water.
+
+Suddenly the sheriff spoke.
+
+"Now that you've about sized me up, what's on your mind, Bud?"
+
+Bob almost fell over backwards for he had tried to make his observation
+of the other man altogether casual.
+
+"Nothing," he managed to reply, but the word failed to carry conviction.
+
+"Not trying to dodge the law, are you?" asked the sheriff, and Bob
+noticed that a perfectly capable looking gun was holstered under the
+other's right shoulder.
+
+"No," said Bob.
+
+"Then why are you carrying a gun?"
+
+Bob started, almost guiltily, and his face flushed.
+
+"That," he retorted, "is none of your business."
+
+After the words were out he could almost have bitten his tongue in two
+for if the sheriff pressed him for an answer, he would be forced to
+reveal his identity and such things as local sheriffs being involved in
+crime was not altogether unknown.
+
+"I'm making it my business right now," snapped the older man and before
+Bob could move, a gun appeared in the other's hands.
+
+"Put up your hands and turn around. Do it slowly and you won't be hurt,
+but if you make one false move, I'll let you have it."
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXVII
+                         SHERIFF McCURDY TALKS
+                                   *
+
+
+There was nothing else for Bob to do and with his hands raised high above
+his head, he turned slowly and faced the water cooler. He could imagine
+how Tully Ross would have chuckled if he could have seen his predicament
+now.
+
+Firm hands whisked the gun out of the shoulder holster and Bob heard the
+sheriff step back.
+
+"Turn around slowly now, but keep your hands up."
+
+Bob obeyed the command and the sheriff waved him toward a seat on the
+opposite side of the car.
+
+"Now that you've got my gun, you'd better let me explain," said Bob.
+
+"You can do your explaining in jail," retorted the sheriff. "No big-town
+gunman is going to run another trick on me."
+
+The last words were said with grim determination and Bob saw the
+sheriff's jaw muscles tighten.
+
+"Turn up the lapel of my coat and you'll find that you're making a
+mistake," pressed Bob. "I'm an agent of the bureau of investigation of
+the United States Department of Justice."
+
+"You're just a kid," scoffed the older officer.
+
+"Turn up the lapel of my coat and see what's there. This thing has gone
+far enough," insisted Bob.
+
+There was something in Bob's voice which forced the sheriff to act and he
+reached over cautiously and turned up the lapel of Bob's coat. The small
+badge which was revealed there brought an instant change in his attitude
+and he lowered the gun which he held in his hands.
+
+"Looks like I've made a bad mistake," he said. "I'm sorry, but after what
+I've been through you can't blame me."
+
+The sheriff, who introduced himself as Abel McCurdy, handed the gun back
+to Bob and the federal agent, after breaking open the gun and looking at
+the chambers, returned it to his shoulder holster.
+
+"What's happened?" asked Bob, for he recalled that only a minute earlier
+the sheriff hinted at some trick of which he had been the victim.
+
+"Oh, it's kind of a crazy story and I don't suppose it would interest a
+federal man," replied the older officer.
+
+"I'm interested in anything that's going on around here," said Bob.
+
+"Then you may run right smack into trouble," cautioned the other, and he
+shook his head a little sadly. "That's what was the matter with me--too
+interested in other people's business."
+
+"Tell me what happened," pressed Bob, for he had a feeling that in some
+way or another the sheriff might be connected with the smugglers who were
+known to be operating around Atalissa.
+
+"There's been some strange things going on along the coast," began the
+sheriff, "and I've been trying to figure them out, but I didn't have much
+luck until last night when I was south of Atalissa. A big touring car
+came roaring along the road and I stopped it. Car was going too fast."
+
+"What happened?" asked Bob.
+
+"Too much," admitted the sheriff. "Fellow driving got out, but when he
+did he had a machine gun in his hands and I wasn't any match for that
+even though I'm a pretty good shot with a revolver. He handcuffed me with
+my own handcuffs and made me get into the back seat and then drove off
+like mad. After a while he stopped and blindfolded me, and then went on
+for a time."
+
+"What did he look like?" asked Bob.
+
+"Well, he was kind of short and heavy, I'd say." The sheriff went on with
+his description of the man who had kidnaped him and before he was through
+Bob was convinced that the other was Joe Hamsa.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXVIII
+                                THEORIES
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob felt it was time to reveal his real mission to the seacoast and in
+clear, brief words he told the sheriff why he had come down from
+Washington and what had gone on since he had started south.
+
+"You mean to say they had the nerve to kidnap your uncle, a federal
+agent?" asked the sheriff.
+
+"I'm sure they have him and the only thing we know is that the start away
+from Jacksonville was made by boat."
+
+The sheriff nodded.
+
+"That would be a good way. Why, I can think of half a hundred good places
+to hide a man along this section of the coast." Then the sheriff went on
+to explain that shortly before dawn he had been dumped unceremoniously
+out of the sedan after being released from the handcuffs.
+
+"Can you remember any stops?" asked Bob.
+
+"Only one. We must have been very close to the ocean, for I was sure I
+could hear the sound of the surf."
+
+"Any idea in what direction you traveled?"
+
+"Nothing that would help much. I was about two miles from Ainsworth when
+I was dumped out, and I went in there and got another gun and then
+decided to take the train to Atalissa for I was only about a mile from
+there when I was kidnaped last night."
+
+"Did you hear anything unusual when you stopped where you thought you
+could hear the surf?" pressed on Bob.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy was silent for a time.
+
+"Yes, there was one thing--a humming that was faint and then increased in
+strength and finally died away."
+
+"It might have been a 'plane," suggested Bob.
+
+"Why, I hadn't thought of that. Sure, that's just what it sounded like."
+
+"The driver of the car got out and came back a little after."
+
+"After the humming had died away?"
+
+"That's right," agreed the sheriff.
+
+Bob was elated at this news. He felt that even before his arrival at
+Atalissa he had stumbled upon a real clue and he hoped upon a worthy aid
+in the doughty southern sheriff.
+
+"Then he went on, later dumping you out of the car?" pressed Bob.
+
+The sheriff agreed.
+
+"He was none too gentle in dumping me out," complained the sheriff. "I'd
+just like to get my hands on him for a few minutes. Believe me, I'd make
+his bones ache."
+
+There was no question about the irritation or the sincerity of the
+officer and Bob couldn't help but suppress a chuckle, for he believed the
+sheriff perfectly capable of manhandling Joe Hamsa.
+
+Bob felt that the time had come to be perfectly frank with the sheriff.
+
+"I'm down here on a smuggling case," he explained. "I'm going to need
+your help and I may need it badly."
+
+Then he went on to relate in detail everything that had taken place since
+he had left Washington, revealing even the kidnaping of his uncle. When
+he was through the sheriff whistled through his whiskers.
+
+"I've kind of suspected that something queer was going on south of
+Atalissa, but there were no complaints and I never was able to pick up
+anything. You think the fellow who kidnaped me was the man on the train
+with you when you came south?"
+
+"From your description, I'm positive it was Hamsa," replied Bob.
+
+"Then he's a tough customer if he escaped from that river and got down
+here so rapidly."
+
+"One thing we've got to remember," cautioned Bob, "is that the gang is
+compact and apparently extremely well organized."
+
+The sheriff was silent for a time.
+
+"Think that plane landing last night might have brought in smuggled
+gems?"
+
+"I don't know," confessed Bob. "Everyone in the department has a feeling
+that the gang is pointing toward one more big smuggling operation. If the
+gems had come in last night I have a feeling that more than one man would
+have been with Hamsa to get them. It just doesn't seem logical that one
+man, even though he might be the leader of the gang, would handle this
+end of the game. I'd be more inclined to think the contact last night was
+for the purpose of making final plans."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXIX
+                               MORE CLUES
+                                   *
+
+
+The sheriff turned this over in his mind for some time as the train
+rumbled along the rough right-of-way. Then he nodded and agreed with Bob.
+
+"Looks like you're right. That means we may be in for a busy time when
+the actual contact is attempted."
+
+"We'll be busy enough, if we can learn where the contact will be made,"
+retorted the young federal agent.
+
+"What about your uncle?" asked the sheriff.
+
+The exultation which had marked Bob's features vanished.
+
+"I don't honestly know. From the reputation of this gang I should fear
+the worst, but for some reason I have unbounded faith in my uncle's
+ability to take care of himself in a crisis. The last we knew was that he
+disappeared from the waterfront and shortly after that a motorboat sped
+down the river."
+
+"Then if a big smuggling operation is under way, it's just possible that
+he might be brought down here," argued the sheriff.
+
+"He might be taken to their hideout," agreed Bob, "but so far our men
+have no real clue to that."
+
+"We may be able to pick up something at Atalissa," said the sheriff.
+"I've a number of friends there who may be able to give me information
+you never could get."
+
+As the accommodation jogged toward the coast, the country became wilder
+and they rumbled across narrow bridges that spanned bayous and salt
+streams. Undergrowth was thick and almost jungle-like. They were in one
+of the wildest sections of the Florida coast--uninviting, inhospitable,
+and for years the hideout for lawbreakers of various kinds.
+
+The brakes went on sharply and the little train swung around a curve as
+the wheels shrieked a protest. Looking ahead, Bob could see a huddle of
+houses around a large bayou. Beyond that was a narrow opening and further
+out a glimpse of the blue Atlantic. This, then, must be Atalissa, his
+present destination.
+
+The sheriff stood up, and looked at his watch.
+
+"Lucky trip this morning," he declared. "Usually the local has a couple
+of derailments."
+
+The train pulled up before a dilapidated station and Bob and the sheriff
+stepped down on a rough plank platform. The only others visible were the
+train crew and the station agent.
+
+"Town looks quiet," said the sheriff as they started down the one street
+which was flanked on one side by the clear waters of the bayou and on the
+other by a long line of buildings, some of them stores and the others
+places of residence.
+
+The first building, a story and a half structure, was a barber shop and
+the sheriff turned in here.
+
+"Morning, sheriff," said the barber.
+
+"Morning, Emil," replied the sheriff. "Want you to meet a friend of mine,
+Bob Houston. Northerner. He's down for a few days loafing and maybe a
+little fishing. Know anything new?"
+
+The barber, inclined to stoutness and baldness, shook his head.
+
+"Not even any good fishing left," he sighed.
+
+"Everybody behavin'?" asked the sheriff.
+
+"Just what are you driving at?" the barber asked.
+
+"Nothing special; just thought you might have heard of something,"
+grinned the sheriff.
+
+"Matter of fact, I have," retorted the barber. "Somebody's been flying
+around here the last couple of nights with a plane of some kind."
+
+"That ain't so unusual, is it?" asked the sheriff. "We've been used to
+all kinds of things along this coast."
+
+"Well, that wasn't so strange, but this morning when I was fishing down
+in Harpey's bayou a boat came through there so fast it was nothing but a
+black streak and a flash of spray. Blamed thing must have been doing
+forty an hour."
+
+Bob's eyes glinted.
+
+"Where did it go?"
+
+"Now I was only in a rowboat and I wouldn't know where a speed boat
+went," replied the barber. Then, seeing the chagrin on Bob's face, he
+added, "I'd almost be willing to bet that it was heading for Lost
+Island."
+
+Bob saw a queer expression flit across the sheriff's face.
+
+"I might have known that's where such a boat would be going," he groaned.
+"Why couldn't it be toward some other island?"
+
+"I wouldn't know," grinned the barber, who sensed that the sheriff was in
+Atalissa on some important mission. Bob saw the barber scanning his coat
+and he wondered if the gun in the shoulder holster was visible. If it
+was, it would reveal instantly that he was an officer, and not the
+vacationer that the sheriff had pictured him to be.
+
+"Guess we'll be getting a boat and heading south," said the sheriff.
+"Just don't say anything to anyone else on what you saw this morning."
+
+"Not a word, sheriff," said the barber, and they left the small shop.
+
+"Queer fellow," nodded the sheriff as they proceeded down the street
+toward a wharf. "He knows everything that's going on and he protects a
+lot of people, but when some outsiders come in and start breaking the
+law, I can always figure he'll tell me the truth."
+
+"What do you make of it?" asked Bob.
+
+"I'd say that the more men you can get in here, the better it will be.
+Emil knows something queer is going on at Lost Island and it was just his
+way of telling me to get there in a hurry. But I don't like that place.
+It's too lonesome and it's so big a man can get lost on it for days."
+
+"I didn't know there were any islands that large along here," replied
+Bob.
+
+"It isn't actually an island," explained the sheriff, "but there's water
+on three sides of it and it's swampy and about as dismal as the last
+place on earth. Always been a favorite hiding place for men trying to get
+away from the law."
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXX
+                            READY FOR ACTION
+                                   *
+
+
+At the wharf the sheriff dickered for the rental of a boat and a 20-foot
+craft with a sturdy four cylinder motor was secured. There was nothing
+speedy about it, but it looked eminently safe.
+
+"We may be gone a couple of nights. I know where I can get some duffel
+and grub. You'd better send word for more of your men to get in here,"
+said the sheriff, and while he went in quest of the camping supplies, Bob
+walked back to the station.
+
+He had been warned to use extreme caution in sending out any messages
+from Atalissa, but there was no time to drive to another town and he
+preferred to telegraph rather than to telephone.
+
+The message went in code and it took him some time to compose it. Very
+briefly he outlined what he had learned from the sheriff, concluding,
+"Now believe Merritt Hughes has been brought to Lost Island and that
+attempt to bring in large amount of gems will be made soon."
+
+Bob did not leave the old depot until the telegram was humming over the
+wires on its way to Washington. Then he returned to the wharf and found
+the sheriff waiting.
+
+"We'll start at once," said the officer. "I've got a snack put up for our
+lunch and we'll eat on the way. Save time."
+
+Bob stepped into the bow of the boat where the sheriff had stowed away
+the federal agent's large bag and the officer jumped into the stern. The
+motor was turning over smoothly. The sheriff threw in the clutch and they
+moved away.
+
+The young federal agent looked back at the sleepy village which was
+strung along the bayou. The barber came out of his shop and waved at them
+and the man on the wharf, from whom they had rented the boat, watched
+them, his hands shielding his eyes from the glaring rays of the mid-day
+sun.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy headed the boat toward the seaway, but before they
+reached it swung it sharply to the right and they chugged through a
+narrow passageway that twisted and turned interminably.
+
+"How under the sun can you find your way through all this maze of
+channels?" asked Bob, understanding now why it was an ideal spot to carry
+on smuggling operations.
+
+"Been in this country all my life," explained the sheriff, "but once in a
+while I get lost. Then I usually just sit still until someone hunts me
+up."
+
+A larger expanse of water opened ahead of them.
+
+"Harpey's bayou," said the sheriff. "This is where Emil was fishing when
+that black speed boat came through."
+
+The sheriff put the rudder bar between his legs and unwrapped a package
+which had been resting on the floor boards in the bottom of the boat.
+Inside were half a dozen thick sandwiches, heavily laden with butter and
+with generous slices of cold ham between the bread.
+
+They ate the sandwiches as the launch chugged through the quiet waters of
+Harpey's bayou.
+
+The sheriff produced a jug of cold water and after a deep drink apiece,
+they nosed the boat out of the bayou and into another twisting channel,
+which, while deep, was heavily overgrown with trees which arched above
+the water until they formed a perfect tunnel.
+
+The air was cool and dank and Bob shuddered involuntarily as he thought
+of the loneliness which would descend upon such an area when the sun went
+down.
+
+"How far is it to Lost Island?" he asked the sheriff.
+
+"Depends on just which part we're going to. The nearest point is about
+eight miles from here."
+
+They went on for some distance without speaking, the sheriff devoting
+practically all of his time to watching the channel.
+
+A little more than half an hour later he shut off the engine and
+skillfully guided the boat into a backwater where they would not be
+visible from the main channel.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy dropped the heavy piece of iron which served as an anchor
+overboard and Bob was surprised to note that the water was at least eight
+or nine feet deep.
+
+"Better look over your guns. We may need them in a hurry," advised the
+sheriff.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXXI
+                          A BOAT FLASHES PAST
+                                   *
+
+
+Bob got out his Gladstone bag and opened it, removing the case which held
+his rifle.
+
+He assembled the gun and filled the magazine with shells. Placing it
+against his shoulder, he aimed at a spot some distance away when a sharp
+call from the sheriff stopped the steady pressure of his finger on the
+trigger.
+
+"Don't take any chances with a shot now giving an alarm to anyone," he
+warned. "Remember that the men who hide out down here are all wary of any
+gunshots."
+
+Bob lowered the gun and he knew that his cheeks were burning for, had he
+thought of the possible result, he would not have attempted a practice
+shot or two.
+
+The sheriff, probing his own roll of duffel, unearthed a serviceable
+looking gun.
+
+"Borrowed this from the barber," he grinned. "It isn't quite as fancy a
+gun as yours but it will carry well and I've used it once or twice
+before, so I'm used to handling it."
+
+The sheriff drew out his pipe and lighted it, settling back against the
+gunwale.
+
+"Aren't we going on?" asked Bob.
+
+"Not much use right now," replied the officer. "We'd be spotted in a
+minute. We'll wait until dusk. Then we can cruise along the island.
+They'll be sure to have a fire of some kind for the nights are getting
+chilly."
+
+Bob knew that the sheriff was right, but the thought of inactivity while
+his uncle was in the hands of gangsters galled his active spirit.
+However, he made the best of it and tried to doze.
+
+An hour slipped away when the exhaust of a motorboat, evidently coming at
+high speed, echoed through the lowlands.
+
+The sheriff sat up quickly, glanced at his rifle, and then picked up an
+oar and paddled their boat closer toward a thicket so that they were well
+hidden from the channel which passed within a short distance of the bayou
+where they had sought temporary refuge.
+
+The noise of the oncoming boat was clearer.
+
+"Coming fast," grunted the sheriff, balancing his rifle in his hands.
+
+Bob, crouched in the bow, saw a gray boat shoot into sight in the main
+channel. It was not more than 200 feet away and only one man was in the
+boat. With a start he recognized the crouched figure of Joe Hamsa. Then
+the gray speeder was gone, only a broad, spreading wake remaining to mark
+its passage.
+
+The federal agent turned to the sheriff.
+
+"We've got to follow him. That was Joe Hamsa."
+
+The sheriff shook his head.
+
+"We're not following him now; still too light. Besides I know he's headed
+for the island. Listen to him go!"
+
+The roar of the exhaust gradually died away and the sheriff turned to
+Bob.
+
+"You're sure that was your man?"
+
+"Positive," replied Bob.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy looked at his borrowed rifle once more and Bob saw the
+deep lines of the peace officer's face tighten.
+
+They remained for another hour in the seclusion of the small bayou and
+before they started out again the shadows were deepening and the warmth
+of the afternoon was vanishing.
+
+Sheriff McCurdy started the motor of their boat and Bob pulled up the
+mud-covered anchor. With the motor throttle well down they started for
+Lost Island and Bob was thankful that their boat had an underwater
+exhaust which it was almost impossible to hear.
+
+After leaving the shelter of the bayou, Sheriff McCurdy operated their
+boat with extreme caution and just before they came within sight of Lost
+Island he stopped the boat and spoke to Bob.
+
+"We may be poking our heads into a hornet's nest," he warned. "Want to go
+on or wait until additional federal men can get to Atalissa and we can
+bring them down here?"
+
+"That might be too late," decided Bob. "We'll go on."
+
+The sheriff started the motor and once more they were in forward motion,
+the bow of their small boat knifing its way through the waters of a
+larger lagoon.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXII
+                           LOST ISLAND AHEAD
+                                   *
+
+
+Ahead of them lay a long, low mass of tangled undergrowth.
+
+"Lost Island," said the sheriff cryptically and Bob felt his blood
+beating faster. It was toward this spot that the black speed boat sighted
+by the barber had been going and it was also toward this spot that Joe
+Hamsa had been hurrying in the gray motorboat.
+
+The motor of their own boat died suddenly and Bob looked toward the
+sheriff, whose face was still dimly discernible in the faint light.
+
+"No more noise; we'll use oars from now on."
+
+Bob helped put the oars in their sockets. There were two pairs and they
+bent their backs to the task of rowing.
+
+"This may be an all night job," grunted the sheriff, "but it will be
+worth it if I can catch up with the fellow who threw me out of the car
+last night."
+
+The boat, although not large, was heavy and in less than half an hour Bob
+had blisters on both hands and his back ached mightily.
+
+"Ease up a bit," advised the sheriff. "We'll drift along here and rest."
+
+Bob welcomed the chance to straighten up and he let the oars rest in the
+oarlocks while he stood up in the boat.
+
+A flicker of light to the left caught his eye and he spoke quietly to the
+sheriff.
+
+"There's a light to your left," he said. "Stand up and look at it."
+
+Sheriff McCurdy stood up in the stern.
+
+"I expected something like this," he grunted. "Might as well rest a bit,
+though, for I've too many kinks in my back now to think of a good scrap."
+
+The boat drifted gently and the sheriff told what he knew about the
+island.
+
+"This is one of the highest parts," he explained, "and one of the driest.
+Not much swamp right here and the footing should be good. On the other
+side there's an old pier and a sort of hunting house that was built years
+ago by some northerners. I expect we'll find the men we want over there."
+
+Bob was too impatient to rest very long, and at his insistence, they took
+up the oars again and turned the bow of their boat toward shore.
+
+Moving like a shadow and with as little noise, they guided their craft in
+toward the island. The bow stuck in soft mud three or four feet from the
+shore and the sheriff grunted his distaste.
+
+"We'll have to wade in," he complained. "I'll get wet and that will make
+my rheumatism bad again."
+
+Bob dropped their anchor over into the mud and the sheriff stuck two of
+the spark plugs from the motor in his pocket, effectively disabling the
+boat from use.
+
+With Bob in the lead, they dropped over the side. The muck and ooze was
+cold and slimy and Bob felt his legs plowing in about six inches of the
+clammy stuff. Fortunately they were ashore in about four long strides.
+
+They paused long enough to loosen the guns in their shoulder holsters and
+to look at the safeties on their rifles. Then, with the sheriff in the
+lead, they started for the far side of the narrow island.
+
+There was plenty of underbrush, but the ground was firm, and by treading
+cautiously, they made progress without making much noise.
+
+From a little knoll which they ascended they could look down on the other
+side of the island and the light which Bob had seen from a distance was
+plainly visible.
+
+It was a torch of some kind and was apparently mounted on a rather tall
+pole, for the flame flickered in the light breeze which was sweeping in
+from the open sea.
+
+Moving even more cautiously than before, Bob and the sheriff started down
+for the camp which they knew must be in the blackness beyond the light.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXIII
+                            OUT OF THE NIGHT
+                                   *
+
+
+It was a dismal adventure and it took real courage to move even another
+step forward, but Bob was driven on by the thought that his uncle might
+be on the island and that success tonight would bring about his return
+and smash the ring of smugglers he had been assigned to break up.
+
+As they neared the light it was plain that the flare was mounted on a
+pole about twenty feet tall and Bob stopped the sheriff.
+
+"That looks like a beacon for a plane," he muttered.
+
+"If it is, it fits in with your theory that they'll land the smuggled
+gems by plane," replied Sheriff McCurdy.
+
+They went on, treading easily and giving the circle of light cast by the
+flare a wide birth.
+
+Against the blackness of the waters of a broad bayou which flanked the
+other side of Lost Island loomed the outline of a ramshackle structure
+and though the windows appeared to be boarded up, faint rays of light
+crept through a number of cracks. Bob half stumbled on a stick and the
+noise brought the quick baying of a hound.
+
+"We're in for it now," said the sheriff, and Bob felt that trouble, and
+serious trouble, was just ahead.
+
+A door in the house was thrown open and against the oblong of light could
+be seen the silhouette of a man. Then he stepped out into the night, to
+be followed by a second man, stockier and heavier than the first.
+
+"Stay down," whispered the sheriff. "Maybe they'll miss us. We don't want
+trouble now."
+
+Before the men could leave the shelter of the house, the low drone of an
+incoming plane could be heard. Bob turned toward the east. A red and
+green light, marking the wing tips of a plane, were visible. The craft
+was low and evidently coming in fast.
+
+Even above the noise of the plane, they could hear a shouted command near
+the old house, and one of the men who had stepped outside turned on a
+flash light and raced toward the pier, some distance away. He was
+followed, at a slower pace by the second man.
+
+"That's Hamsa, I'm sure," said Bob.
+
+"Let's get inside and see if anyone is there," said Sheriff McCurdy and
+they moved around so that the house was between them and the pier.
+
+Landing lights of the plane blinked on as it circled over them and once
+the powerful beams swept down on the clearing, but Bob and the Sheriff,
+anticipating that, had dropped to the ground behind an old log and were
+safe, for the moment, from discovery.
+
+"Must be either a seaplane or an amphibian," said Bob as the plane
+prepared to alight on the water.
+
+"Get inside," urged the sheriff, who would feel better when he had some
+shelter.
+
+The two men on the pier were concentrating their attention on the plane
+swinging over the lagoon and the hound which had sounded the alarm was
+beside them, so it was a comparatively simple matter for Bob to jump
+across the threshold.
+
+Inside the door, where only an oil lamp cast faint illumination, he
+crouched with his rifle in his hands, accustoming his eyes to the light.
+There was, apparently, no one in the room.
+
+He spoke softly to the sheriff, who was waiting just outside.
+
+"All clear; come on!"
+
+With one bound the sheriff was inside and like Bob he had his rifle ready
+for instant action.
+
+Squinting between cracks in the wall, the sheriff watched the action in
+the lagoon. The plane smacked the surface of the water sharply and came
+to rest several hundred feet from the end of the old pier. The men
+waiting there put out in a motorboat, making directly for the plane,
+which was bobbing around on the waves which it had stirred up in the
+quiet waters.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXIV
+                             IN THE SHANTY
+                                   *
+
+
+Sheriff McCurdy turned from the wall and watched Bob open the door to the
+second room. He saw the young federal agent drop to his knees and his gun
+clatter while a choked sob escaped from Bob's lips.
+
+The sheriff crossed the room in several bounds and bent down over Bob,
+who was kneeling beside the bound and gagged figure of a man.
+
+Without asking questions, the sheriff handed Bob a knife and the ropes
+and gag were slashed.
+
+"Uncle Merritt, Uncle Merritt," cried Bob. "Speak to me." There was
+desperation in his voice.
+
+Merritt Hughes opened his eyes and tried to smile. His lips and tongue
+were swollen from the gag, but the expression in his eyes gave Bob
+courage.
+
+"We'd better get him out of here," said Bob. "They'll be back and we
+won't be ready for them."
+
+Before they could turn, a harsh laugh echoed through the room and the
+heavy voice of Joe Hamsa lashed at them.
+
+"You're not going any place, boys, except where I want you to and you'll
+never return from there."
+
+Bob started to move, but a quick command from Hamsa stopped him.
+
+"Don't move kid. I've got a machine gun on you and my finger is nervous.
+Turn around slowly and don't either one of you try any gunplay."
+
+They started to turn slowly when Bob was amazed by a quick gesture of his
+uncle's. Hidden in the heavy shadow of the little room which adjoined the
+larger one, he reached up and like a flash seized the revolver which was
+in the shoulder holster. There wasn't even the rustle of Bob's coat as
+the gun was whisked away and Bob continued to turn slowly toward Hamsa.
+
+The man who had claimed to be a diamond salesman was standing in the
+doorway, a machine gun in his hands. Behind him was a man with a scar,
+whom Bob recognized from the descriptions obtained in Jacksonville must
+have been the abductor of his uncle. To the rear of these two was a
+slender chap, little older than Bob and with a thin face. He was in a
+flyer's outfit and in his hands carried a soft leather case.
+
+"Get their guns, Rap," barked Hamsa, and the man with the scar came
+forward, his hands patting the sheriff for weapons. The gun was taken
+from the shoulder holster and the rifle was tossed across the room.
+
+The man known as Rap then turned to Bob and his hands found the empty
+holster.
+
+"Gun's gone," said Rap flatly and without expression.
+
+"Where?" demanded Hamsa.
+
+"Lost in the brush," fibbed Bob.
+
+The answer seemed to satisfy them and Rap took the rifle from Bob's
+hands.
+
+"Take this gun and keep those fellows covered while Curt and I check over
+the stuff he brought in," ordered Hamsa, handing his weapon to Rap while
+the fellow, whom he had called Curt, strode into the room and placed his
+black leather case on the rough table.
+
+Bob gasped as the velvet lined case was opened and scores of gleaming
+diamonds were revealed. A king's fortune was spread on the table in front
+of them and Hamsa, an ugly light in his eyes, looked at his captives.
+
+"So you federal men thought you were smart enough for Joe Hamsa?" he
+chortled. "Well, this is your last assignment. You've seen me and you've
+seen how we bring in the stuff. This is my last job. I'll make a cool
+million on it. Think it over."
+
+He turned back to the pile of gems and ran them through his stubby
+fingers, gloating at the wealth that was on the table.
+
+"What are we going to do now?" asked Curt.
+
+"Sink your plane and the gray boat. We'll use the black one for a getaway
+and we'll burn this place before we leave."
+
+"How about the federal men?" The flyer gestured toward Bob and the
+others.
+
+"Maybe we'll sink them, too," said Hamsa and there was deadly mirth in
+his words.
+
+The man known as Rap started to laugh, but a sharp explosion back of Bob
+turned the laugh into a sob and Rap, gasping for breath, sank to the
+floor.
+
+
+
+
+                              Chapter XXXV
+                          REVERSING THE TABLES
+                                   *
+
+
+Hamsa whirled toward the officers, a gun in his right hand. Before he
+could use it, there was another explosion and Hamsa reeled back against
+the wall, his right arm hanging limp and useless, the gun which it had
+held falling to the floor.
+
+"Don't move!" The command was low and husky, but there was authority in
+the words and Bob, out of the corner of one eye, saw his uncle step out
+of the small room to the rear. From this position of advantage he had
+disabled Rap, the machine gunner, and wounded Hamsa. Curt, the flyer, had
+his hands in the air.
+
+"Pick up their guns, Bob," commanded his uncle and Bob picked up the
+machine gun and the revolver Hamsa had dropped.
+
+"Search them!"
+
+This time the sheriff stepped forward and with hands long experienced in
+that kind of work, searched even the hats of the others. A gun was taken
+from the flyer and a stubby but deadly pistol from Rap. These were placed
+on the table beside the glittering pile of diamonds.
+
+"Got any handcuffs, sheriff?" asked Bob's uncle after the young federal
+agent introduced his ally.
+
+Two small, compact pairs were produced from the capacious pockets of the
+peace officer. One pair was snapped on Hamsa and the other on Curt and
+Rap.
+
+While Bob and his uncle went about the task of giving first aid to Rap
+and Hamsa, the sheriff went down to the old wharf to inspect the boats.
+
+When he returned, the bandaging was done, for neither wound was serious.
+
+"We can start any time you want to," he informed the federal men.
+
+"Take these fellows down. We'll be along shortly," replied Merritt
+Hughes, and when Hamsa and his allies had been led away by the sheriff,
+he sat down on one side of the table and motioned for Bob to take a seat
+opposite him.
+
+"Let's hear your side of the story, Bob," said his uncle as he sat down,
+massaging the red marks which the tightly tied ropes had made on his
+hands.
+
+
+
+
+                             Chapter XXXVI
+                           UNTANGLING THE WEB
+                                   *
+
+
+It was a strange setting, the rays from the kerosene lamp on the table
+throwing a soft glow over the diamonds which were still heaped on the
+black velvet.
+
+Bob was anxious to tell his own story, but first he wanted to know about
+his uncle.
+
+"Sure you're all right?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, my arms and legs are still a little numb and I can't talk any too
+well, but I'm coming around fast now."
+
+Bob launched into a detailed explanation of all of the events which had
+taken place since the disappearance of his uncle in Jacksonville.
+
+"Luckiest thing that ever happened to me was when I ran into the
+sheriff," he said.
+
+"No doubt about it," agreed his uncle. Then he went on, "The men we
+captured tonight are the brains of the gang. From what Hamsa said after
+he got here this afternoon I gathered that two more members of the gang
+were picked up by you and Condon Adams last night."
+
+"That's right," said Bob. "But I can't figure out how Hamsa got down here
+so soon and I thought he'd never get out of the river he fell into on the
+way down from Washington."
+
+"Hamsa is a tough customer," said Merritt Hughes. "He has a tremendous
+physique and was able to swim to shore. Then he chartered a private plane
+and came south."
+
+"They've been running in the diamonds by plane all the time," said Bob.
+
+"Curt has been their pilot. He's got a fast amphibian and last night he
+made contact with Hamsa near Atalissa and informed him that a large
+consignment would be delivered tonight. They were careful to make only
+the contacts with the smuggled gems here to keep suspicions away from
+this island."
+
+"Where did Curt get the gems?" Bob wanted to know.
+
+"They were brought over from Europe aboard tramp steamers. Curt would
+contact the ships well off the coast and then fly the smuggled stuff in
+at night. They were careful about the type of gems they brought in. Why
+these diamonds on the table could be sold almost any place without
+suspicion. In fact, Hamsa actually went around the country peddling them
+to customers who had no idea that they were smuggled property."
+
+Bob, leaning back in his chair, looked at his uncle.
+
+"You must have been brought directly here," he said.
+
+"Just as fast as the fellow they call Rap could get me here. Hamsa had
+been in Washington. Somehow he got wind that Department of Justice men
+were being put on his trail and he learned that Adams and I had been sent
+south. It was up to Rap to get us out of the way. Then Hamsa came down
+and it was just luck that he met you and Tully on the train. What looked
+like a bad situation for us turned out all right."
+
+Bob chuckled.
+
+"Won't Tully be sore when he learns that the whole case has been cleared
+up without him getting even as far as Jacksonville."
+
+"I wouldn't worry about Tully, Bob. This is another feather in your cap.
+Just keep plugging away and you'll get toward the top in the Department
+mighty fast."
+
+Merritt Hughes bent down and gathered up the smuggled gems, wrapping them
+in the velvet and replacing them in the leather case.
+
+"We might as well destroy this place so that it will no longer be used
+for such purposes," he said, and as he stepped out of the door behind Bob
+he aimed a shot at the kerosene lamp. A sheet of flame spread through the
+interior of the shanty and the dry wood crackled lustily as the fire ate
+into it.
+
+The glow of the burning shanty illuminated the clearing and they found
+their way easily to the old wharf where Sheriff McCurdy and his prisoners
+were waiting for them. Further out the amphibian was drifting at its
+anchor.
+
+"We'll have to leave that for another trip," smiled Merritt Hughes.
+"Sheriff, let's start for town. I'm hungry and sleepy."
+
+With their three captives in the bow, Bob and his uncle just behind them
+and the sheriff at the wheel at the rear, they started out of the bayou,
+another successful chapter written in the bureau of investigation's war
+on crime.
+
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+                          Transcriber's Notes
+                                   *
+
+
+--Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public
+  domain in the country of publication.
+
+--Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and
+  dialect unchanged.
+
+--In the text versions only, delimited italicized text by _underscores_.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery, by Graham M. Dean
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