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} + blockquote { max-width:23em; } + + + div.verse { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } + div.bq { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:23em; } + hr { max-width:20em; } + +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<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’s First Case</i></span></p> +<p class="center">★</p> +<p class="center"><i>A Story of Thrilling Exploits +<br />of the “G” 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>“GOOD LUCK”</a> 35</dt> +<dt><a href="#c4"><span class="cn">IV. </span>TULLY’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’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>“DON’T MOVE!”</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">★</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">★</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’s shoulders and shook +him in a rough but friendly embrace.</p> +<p>“Well, Bob, how does it feel to be a real federal +agent?” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“When do you think I’ll get my first assignment +on a new case?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then I’m headed for home now,” said Bob. +“Good night, and thanks for all you’ve done for +me.”</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’s most valuable radio secrets.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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.</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’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’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’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>“Hello? Hello?” 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">“FEDERAL AGENTS CAPTURE GANG OF RADIO THIEVES”</p> +<p>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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Quite a story in the morning papers,” smiled +the lieutenant.</p> +<p>Bob nodded.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_23">[23]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>The lieutenant wheeled his coupé up in front +of the Department of Justice Building and Bob +stepped out.</p> +<p>“Thanks a lot for the lift,” he said.</p> +<p>“Oh, that’s all right, Bob. I wonder when we’ll +be working on a case again?”</p> +<p>“That’s hard to say,” grinned Bob. “Hope it +will be soon.”</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>“I think Mr. Edgar is expecting you,” he said, +“for your name is on his call list this morning.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_24">[24]</div> +<p>Bob looked eagerly at the clerk.</p> +<p>“Does this mean I’m going to be assigned to a +case?” he asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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">★</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>“Hello, Tully. What’s all the hurry?” 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>“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he blurted +out.</p> +<p>“That goes for me, too,” replied Bob. “That +was quite a story you gave the reporters last +night.”</p> +<p>A deep flush swept over Tully’s face but he +was quick to deny the implications in Bob’s words.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_26">[26]</div> +<p>“What story do you mean?” he asked sharply.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Have you been assigned to a case yet?” he +asked. There was an envious note in his voice.</p> +<p>“Not yet, but I expect to get an assignment +soon,” said Bob. “Have you a new assignment?”</p> +<p>“I’m expecting one this morning,” replied +Tully confidently. “In fact, that’s why I’m +here.”</p> +<p>The clerk in charge of the room returned and +asked Tully’s name and business.</p> +<p>“Mr. Edgar will be ready to see both of you in +a minute or two,” the clerk advised them.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_27">[27]</div> +<p>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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>“Are you responsible for this story, Bob?” he +asked.</p> +<p>The young federal agent’s denial was quick and +confident.</p> +<p>“I didn’t know a thing about the story until I +read it at breakfast this morning,” he said.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_28">[28]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I know there is such a rule,” said Bob, “and I +can assure you that I have talked to no one.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“What have you to say for yourself, Tully?”</p> +<p>The question was short and pointed and Bob +saw Tully’s eyes shift away from those of Waldo +Edgar.</p> +<p>“I guess I’m to blame for the story,” confessed +Tully. “You see it was this way—”</p> +<p>But Tully’s explanation was cut short.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_29">[29]</div> +<p>“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.”</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>“I called both of you in at this time,” he explained, +“because I am assigning you on the same +case.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>The federal chief once more consulted the file +on his desk.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_30">[30]</div> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</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>“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>“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>“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.”</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>“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.”</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>“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.”</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>“Think you can handle this assignment?” he +asked.</p> +<p>Bob was the first to reply.</p> +<p>“I’ll handle it if I have to swim along the whole +coast of Florida,” he said.</p> +<p>Waldo Edgar chuckled. “I don’t think that +will be necessary.”</p> +<p>“How about my uncle and Merritt Hughes?” +asked Tully. “Will they be working in the same +territory?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“I can go now,” said Bob.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_34">[34]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Waldo Edgar stood up and shook hands with +each of them.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_35">[35]</div> +<h2 id="c3"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter III</span></span> +<br />“GOOD LUCK”<br /><span class="smaller">★</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>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_36">[36]</div> +<p>“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.”</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 “Ezekiel” 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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Thanks a lot,” nodded Bob. “I’m on my way.”</p> +<p>“Good luck,” 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’S CHALLENGE<br /><span class="smaller">★</span></h2> +<p>Tully Ross followed Bob into the elevator +and they dropped toward the first floor.</p> +<p>“I guess we’re taking the same train as +far as Jacksonville,” said Tully. “What a pleasure +that’s going to be!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_42">[42]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Tully looked suspicious.</p> +<p>“What are you getting at?” he asked.</p> +<p>They were on the main floor again and passengers +bound for the upper floors swept into the +elevator.</p> +<p>“We’ll take a taxi together to the station and +I’ll tell you on the way there,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>Tully was silent and Bob went on.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_43">[43]</div> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>Bob’s clear, blue eyes bored deep into Tully’s +brown ones and he held out his hand.</p> +<p>Tully held Bob’s gaze for a moment and then +his eyes shifted uneasily. He made no motion to +take Bob’s proffered hand.</p> +<p>“Well, if that’s the way you feel about it, I’m +glad that we have had a definite understanding,” +said Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_44">[44]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Tully looked squarely at Bob.</p> +<p>“Is that a challenge?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Call it anything you like.”</p> +<p>“Then I say that you won’t solve it in two +months if you solve it at all.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I won’t do that,” sneered Tully, “for it might +be too embarrassing to have to have it recalled +when you fail.”</p> +<p>“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.</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">★</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’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>“Are you in car 43?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Lower five,” said Bob.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_46">[46]</div> +<p>“Humph,” grunted Tully. “What luck I have. +There must have been some mistake. I’m in upper +five.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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 “’bo-o-oard.” 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’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>“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.”</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>“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.”</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>“Going to Florida?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Jacksonville,” said Bob laconically.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>Bob grasped the extended hand but he winced +slightly at the strength of the other’s grip.</p> +<p>“I’m Bob Houston of Washington,” replied +Bob by way of introducing himself.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Well, it’s a combination of both,” replied +Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Diamonds are my specialty,” he said, “and +I’ve been held up once or twice. Believe me, +there’s no fun in that.”</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’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’s face, and the glassy stare in his eyes.</p> +<p>“Tully,” cried Bob, “what’s the matter?”</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>“Tully,” repeated Bob, “what’s the matter?”</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’s shoulders and shook him vigorously.</p> +<p>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.</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">★</span></h2> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>Joe Hamsa leaned over Bob and attempted to +aid him in ministering to Tully.</p> +<p>“Anything I can do?” he asked.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_55">[55]</div> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>Just then the Pullman conductor came into the +compartment.</p> +<p>“What’s doing here?” he asked.</p> +<p>Bob answered without looking up.</p> +<p>“I think my companion suffered a fainting attack. +Have you any smelling salts?”</p> +<p>“I have some in my first aid kit up ahead,” 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’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>“Take it easy, Tully,” he advised. “You’ll +feel stronger in a short time.”</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’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’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>“I don’t know what happened,” he mumbled, +shaking his head slowly. “My mind seems so +heavy. I can’t think.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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>“Want me to make up a berth?” asked the +porter, but Tully shook his head.</p> +<p>“Not now. I’ll be all right here. Just let me +rest.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_58">[58]</div> +<p>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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>This might have been alarming had not Tully’s +breathing been deep and natural and the color in +his cheeks more normal.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_59">[59]</div> +<p>“Do you know if there is a doctor on the +train?” he asked.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe so. We’re running light today +but I’ll find out; your friend any worse?”</p> +<p>“No. He’s better, but I’d like to find out just +what happened to him.”</p> +<p>“I can wire ahead and have an ambulance meet +us at the next division point,” suggested the conductor.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Anything more I can do?” asked the conductor, +but Bob shook his head.</p> +<p>“I’ll stay here and watch him. If I need any +help, I’ll signal for the porter.”</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’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.</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’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’s breathing deepened once more and +his eyes remained closed.</p> +<p>Joe Hamsa stuck his head into the compartment.</p> +<p>“Any change?” he asked, and Bob thought he +appeared a little too solicitous for a passing acquaintance.</p> +<p>“I think he’s resting easier,” replied Bob.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_63">[63]</div> +<p>“Are you going to take him to a hospital?” +asked Hamsa, pressing Bob for further information +on his plans.</p> +<p>“I haven’t decided yet.”</p> +<p>“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.</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">★</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>“Take it easy for a while, Tully,” he said.</p> +<p>“What happened?” 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>“Get me some water, quick.”</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>“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.</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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>Just then the Pullman conductor looked in.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Coming around now?”</p> +<p>“He’s feeling better. We’ll go right on +through to Jacksonville,” said Bob and the conductor +went on about his duties.</p> +<p>“Didn’t you think I’d come around?” asked +Tully, a look of worry on his forehead.</p> +<p>“We didn’t know just what was happening +for a while,” explained Bob. “You had us pretty +badly scared.”</p> +<p>Tully looked thoughtful.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_67">[67]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“He’s a queer duck,” muttered Tully. “I don’t +know whether I could like or trust him.”</p> +<p>Bob had exactly the same feeling and he was +interested to know Tully’s reaction to their +traveling companion.</p> +<p>“I’m still kind of sleepy. Guess I’ll take another +nap. You might tell the porter to make up +my berth.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Perhaps a little soup later,” 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>“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.”</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’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>“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.</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’s sudden illness that +caused grave apprehension in Bob’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’S PAPERS VANISH<br /><span class="smaller">★</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>“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.”</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>“I still can’t figure out what happened to me,” +said Tully, shaking his head.</p> +<p>“You are sure I wasn’t struck over the head?” +he looked at Bob so sharply that Bob was inclined +to laugh.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_74">[74]</div> +<p>“Don’t accuse me of doing a thing like that,” +he retorted, but there was no anger in his words.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“This goes under my pillow,” he said.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Hamsa’s all right,” he replied. “You take +care of your copy and I’ll take care of mine.”</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’s +face, and he leaned closer.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_75">[75]</div> +<p>“Bob,” whispered the other. “Look at these +pages. Am I seeing things?”</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>“It’s a pickle recipe,” gasped Bob.</p> +<p>Tully nodded grimly.</p> +<p>“Look at the rest of them!”</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>“My report’s been stolen!”</p> +<p>It was Tully speaking and he sounded like a +stricken man. Then he grasped Bob’s shoulders.</p> +<p>“This isn’t a trick you’re playing on me?” he +demanded.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_76">[76]</div> +<p>“Don’t be silly,” said Bob firmly. “That isn’t +my idea of a joke. We’ve got to get busy now.”</p> +<p>Bob pressed the buzzer for the porter, who put +in an almost immediate appearance.</p> +<p>“Get the Pullman conductor here at once,” +he commanded.</p> +<p>“Sorry, boss, but he’s eating supper up ahead.”</p> +<p>“Get him,” retorted Bob, and the manner in +which he gave the order sent the porter scurrying +up the aisle.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_77">[77]</div> +<p>“What motive would he have in taking such +a report?” 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>“What’s the matter?” 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’s eyes widened in astonishment +and there was an instant change in his attitude. +He looked toward Tully significantly.</p> +<p>“Prisoner?” he asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_78">[78]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>The conductor shook his head.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“When was that?” The question shot eagerly +from Bob’s lips.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“The vestibule door was opened by someone +while we were in Atkinson,” put in the porter.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I’m going forward to talk with Hamsa,” 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>“I’m looking for a dark, heavy-set fellow who +was wearing a black slicker,” said Bob. “He belongs +in car 43.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Bob shook his head.</p> +<p>“I just came from car 43 and he couldn’t have +passed me.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</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>“There’s no sign of Hamsa up ahead,” said +Bob. “He didn’t come this way?”</p> +<p>“No one’s been through this car,” replied the +Pullman official firmly.</p> +<p>Bob shook his head.</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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’s spine.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</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">★</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>“It doesn’t seem possible that Hamsa could be +on the train, yet I am sure that he did not fall off,” +concluded Bob.</p> +<p>“I’ve the same feeling,” said Tully. “You’re +sure you didn’t miss any place?”</p> +<p>“We looked in every closet and compartment +aboard the Limited,” insisted Bob. “We’d have +found even a fly if one had been aboard.”</p> +<p>Tully was visibly downcast for he felt the loss +of his confidential instructions keenly.</p> +<p>“Hamsa is the only one who could have taken +them,” 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 “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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“The rain must be worse farther south,” said +Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_87">[87]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“There we go!” he cried. “The track’s gone +out from under us.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>Bob, looking over his shoulder, could see a red +glare that penetrated even the brilliance of the +locomotive’s headlight.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_88">[88]</div> +<p>“Someone’s swinging a fuse against us,” said +the conductor, buttoning up his slicker. “I’m +going ahead.”</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>“An emergency stop of some kind,” said Bob. +“I’ll be back soon.”</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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>The agent’s retort was sharp.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What’s that?” bellowed the conductor. “You +had the nerve to stop the Southern just to deliver +a telegram?”</p> +<p>The agent shrugged. “You heard me. Now +I’ve got to find this passenger and deliver the +message.”</p> +<p>“Give it to me. I’ll deliver it.” The conductor +reached for the telegram, but the agent backed +away.</p> +<p>“Oh, no you don’t. I’m going to deliver this +in person and get the signature of the man I deliver +it to.”</p> +<p>“Hurry up there!” 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>“Who’s the telegram for?” asked the conductor.</p> +<p>“Bob Houston in lower five, car 43,” replied +the agent. “Let’s get going.”</p> +<p>“That’s all right, I’ll sign for the telegram,” +said Bob. “My name is Houston and I’m in lower +five, car 43.”</p> +<p>The agent looked suspiciously at him as +though he had not expected anyone as youthful +looking as Bob.</p> +<p>“I’ve got instructions to see a certain badge +before I turn over this message,” he said.</p> +<p>Bob reached into his inner coat pocket, drew +forth his billfold, and produced the badge.</p> +<p>“That’s right,” nodded the agent. “Sign this +slip.”</p> +<p>He produced a pencil and Bob, writing in the +light from the headlight, signed his name.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</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">★</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 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.</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>“Haven’t seen anything more of the man in +lower nine?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>The Pullman employe shook his gray head.</p> +<p>“No sir, and I don’t know whether to make up +his berth.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_95">[95]</div> +<p>“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.</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’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’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">★</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>“He’s coming around now. Lift him into a +chair.”</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>“What happened?” 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>“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.</p> +<p>Bob looked sharply at the trainmen.</p> +<p>“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.</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’s voice he had heard +in the car just before he lost consciousness.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>Bob felt more like talking now, and he told +his story briefly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Bob paused for a moment, then went on.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_102">[102]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>The conductor’s worry was reflected on his +frank face.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Couldn’t have been,” declared the conductor. +“I’ve been all over the train and know he +isn’t aboard.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_103">[103]</div> +<p>“Then who could have turned off the lights in +this car?” demanded Bob and the conductor +shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That’s right,” agreed the conductor. “Well, +you puzzle it out. I guess that’s your profession.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>The conductor turned to the flagman.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_104">[104]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Then he looked at Bob, who was still white +around the lips.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“How fast were we running along that section?” +asked Bob.</p> +<p>“Never under fifty, and most of the time between +fifty-five and sixty-five.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“We’ve been over every car from head to rear +and back again,” said Bob. “Have you any idea +where he could hide?”</p> +<p>The flagman removed his cap and scratched his +head.</p> +<p>“He didn’t go through the baggage car?” he +asked.</p> +<p>“No,” replied Bob.</p> +<p>“How about under the steps in the vestibules? +Did you lift all of the traps?”</p> +<p>Bob’s startled expression was sufficient answer +to the flagman, who got hastily to his feet.</p> +<p>“No, we didn’t look under the traps,” admitted +Bob.</p> +<p>“Then we’d better get busy. We can do it +alone, working ahead through each car.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I’ll wait,” 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—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">★</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’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’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’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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>The flagman’s eyes narrowed.</p> +<p>“I’m not so keen about going on with this +search unless we’re armed,” he declared.</p> +<p>“Any guns of any kind on the train?”</p> +<p>“The baggage man up ahead has one, but I +don’t suppose he would loan it to anyone.”</p> +<p>“There’s no harm in trying,” 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>“What do you want?” he demanded gruffly.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>Bob displayed his badge and then told what +he needed.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Bob and the conductor returned to the forward +coach.</p> +<p>“Which end of the train are you going to +start from?” asked the conductor.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_113">[113]</div> +<p>“We’ll go back to the observation car and +work forward,” said Bob. “The flagman is back +there waiting for me.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Better turn down the lights in this car,” advised +the conductor. “All of the passengers on +the Pullmans are in bed.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You’ve been reading too many mystery +stories,” 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>“Hope you have a nice party,” grinned the +flagman as Bob and the conductor started forward +to continue the search of the vestibule steps.</p> +<p>“Seems like kind of a foolish thing to do,” +grumbled the conductor.</p> +<p>“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.</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’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">★</span></h2> +<p>Bob turned and stared at the conductor with +unbelieving eyes.</p> +<p>“He’s gone!” said Bob mechanically.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Get ahead and see if he’s there,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I’m beginning to believe so myself,” agreed +the conductor. “Who could have carried him +away?”</p> +<p>“There’s only one answer to that—Hamsa,” +asserted Bob. “What I want to know is what +happened to Tully?”</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>“One of you fellows leave the vestibule door +up ahead open?” he asked.</p> +<p>“No,” replied Bob sharply.</p> +<p>“Well, some one did. I closed it when I came +along.”</p> +<p>A look of apprehension flitted across Bob’s +face.</p> +<p>“Which vestibule was open?” he demanded.</p> +<p>“Left hand one on the car just ahead,” 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>“This the door that was open?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“Right. I closed it less than a minute ago,” 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’s fingers were blood +and the young federal agent looked up at the +trainmen with eyes that were hard and piercing.</p> +<p>“Stop this train!” he ordered. “Tully Ross has +been thrown from the train. We’ve got to go +back.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_121">[121]</div> +<p>The conductor was silent for a moment, staring +at the dark stains on Bob’s fingers. Then he shook +his head.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But we’ve got to stop. He may be seriously +injured.”</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>“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.”</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>“That freight’s only ten miles up the line. It’s +at Quasqueton now. Maybe we can catch it,” +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>“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.</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>“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.”</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>“Going on with us, or will you stay here and +wait for the freight to come through and report?”</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>“I’m going on the Limited. What’s our next +stop?”</p> +<p>The conductor named a junction thirty miles +down the line.</p> +<p>“Will the freight be in here by the time we +reach the junction?” Bob asked the night operator.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_124">[124]</div> +<p>“It will at the rate the Limited is running tonight,” +replied the operator. “Quasqueton is reporting +the freight out right now.”</p> +<p>“Let’s go,” 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">★</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>“I’m going to finish that search,” 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>“If there was ever anyone there, he got off +at Robertson,” said the conductor.</p> +<p>But Bob shook his head.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Maybe you’re right, but there’s no one on +this train.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.</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’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>“Junction showing now,” 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>“Message from Robertson for Bob Houston,” +he told the conductor. “Fine thing to make a man +deliver telegrams at this time of night.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_128">[128]</div> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Man you reported missing found by freight +crew. Has cut on head and is bruised. Otherwise +appears okay. Proceeding on to junction aboard +freight.”</p> +<p>Bob breathed a sigh of relief for he was honestly +glad to know that no serious harm had befallen +Tully.</p> +<p>“Are you going on with us or will you stay +here?” asked the conductor.</p> +<p>Bob hesitated for only a moment.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“I guess the fellow you’re hunting has disappeared +for good,” 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’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’s mind.</p> +<p>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.</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">★</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’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’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’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’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’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>“Did a man just go down the aisle?” asked +Bob.</p> +<p>“Yes, sir, Boss, and he looked like he’d been +in a fight.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Then Bob hastened down the aisle and the +porter, willing enough to leave the car, went forward +to carry out Bob’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’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!</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">★</span></h2> +<p>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.</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’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’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.</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’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’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—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">★</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—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’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’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.</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’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>“Don’t move, Hamsa!” he ordered. “You’re +under arrest. Stay where you are or you’ll fall +off the bridge.”</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’s face turned toward him.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>Then the other turned and deliberately rolled +to the edge of the trestle.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>Then the trainmen, led by the conductor, +reached the scene.</p> +<p>“Where’s the other fellow?” demanded the +conductor.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_147">[147]</div> +<p>Bob pointed to the darkness below.</p> +<p>“He just rolled over the edge,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>The trainmen helped Bob to his feet and assisted +him back to the Limited.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“I’ve got to get off a telegram first,” replied +Bob. “Give me the name of that stream and the +correct time.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_148">[148]</div> +<p>“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.</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">★</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>“How are you, Bob?” There was real anxiety +in the question as Merritt Hughes looked down +on his capable young nephew.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_150">[150]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Is he all right?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“I understand he’ll have to stay in bed for a +couple of days.”</p> +<p>“What about the man we knew as Joe Hamsa?”</p> +<p>Merritt Hughes shook his head.</p> +<p>“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.”</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’s urging, Bob recounted in detail +everything that had taken place after the Limited +left Washington.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_151">[151]</div> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And you figure the racket is the jewel smuggling?”</p> +<p>Merritt Hughes nodded gravely.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then it seems kind of foolish for me to tackle +it,” said Bob, half to himself and half to his +uncle.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_152">[152]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I guess there’s no question about that for he +stole the confidential reports Tully and I had.”</p> +<p>“Then what does that mean to you?” asked +Bob’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Right in both cases,” agreed Merritt Hughes. +“Now what?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_153">[153]</div> +<p>“Go to the head of the class; you’ve had a perfect +score. The question now follows, what shall +we do?”</p> +<p>“Are you going to try to demote me now?” +grinned Bob.</p> +<p>“No, I’m just trying to find out how far along +the way you’ll get by sound deduction and logic.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You’re not worrying about Hamsa having +escaped from the river and getting word to the +others in the gang?”</p> +<p>“Of course I’m thinking about that angle, but +that’s a chance we’ll have to take,” replied Bob.</p> +<p>“We’ll make the decision tomorrow. There +may be some further advices from Washington +by that time.”</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>“Breakfast is going to taste good to me,” said +Bob. “Don’t waste any time in getting there.”</p> +<p>“Then we’ll eat at the restaurant in the station,” +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>“Now for a shower bath and I’ll feel like I +really wanted to live again,” said Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“You say you felt something like a sharp blow +on the face before you became ill?” asked the +older federal agent.</p> +<p>“That’s right.”</p> +<p>“Then you were gassed.”</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">★</span></h2> +<p>“Gassed!” exclaimed Bob incredulously.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But we couldn’t have been gassed,” replied +Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_157">[157]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“The pellet of glass might have struck you a +glancing blow,” suggested his uncle.</p> +<p>“How can you defend yourself against this?” +asked Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I’m going to remember that,” promised Bob.</p> +<p>“Better take a nap now. After you wake up +you can type out your detailed report for Washington,” +advised Merritt Hughes.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_158">[158]</div> +<p>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.</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>“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.”</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>“Telephone call just coming in for you,” he +said. “You can answer here if you wish.”</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, “Is this Bob Houston?”</p> +<p>It was a strange voice and Bob tried to catalog +its timbre, for it was pitched unusually low.</p> +<p>“This is Bob Houston speaking,” he replied +quietly.</p> +<p>“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.”</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">★</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>“Any idea where that call came from?” he +asked.</p> +<p>“No.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Hold the line,” 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>“Your call came from a pay station in a drug +store near the water front.”</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>“Step on it driver. I’ll clear you with any traffic +officer that stops us.”</p> +<p>“I’ve heard that story before,” grunted the +driver as he shifted the gears.</p> +<p>“This talks,” said Bob, shoving his badge into +view of the driver.</p> +<p>“You said it, mister,” 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>“Wait here,” 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>“Give me a description of the man who put +in a call from here not more than fifteen minutes +ago.”</p> +<p>The man to whom Bob addressed the question +appeared to resent his intrusion, and his reply was +far from courteous.</p> +<p>“You’ve got the wrong place and besides I don’t +like you.”</p> +<p>That touched off Bob’s temper and his anger +blazed.</p> +<p>“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?”</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>“Why didn’t you tell me you were a federal +man in the first place?” he grumbled.</p> +<p>“I want to know who made that call,” insisted +Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What kind of clothes was he wearing?”</p> +<p>“He had on a coverall suit and a dark hat.”</p> +<p>“How about his hair and eyes. Was there +anything on his face that would make it easy to +identify him?”</p> +<p>The younger clerk spoke up.</p> +<p>“I noticed his low, deep voice,” he said, “and +there was a little scar just in front of one ear.”</p> +<p>“Which one?”</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>“It was the left ear,” he replied. “I’m sure +about that now.”</p> +<p>“Notice anything else about him? Did he appear +nervous or in a hurry to get away?”</p> +<p>“He wasn’t exactly nervous, but after he came +out of the booth he didn’t linger around.”</p> +<p>“Did he have a car?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Roll on down to the water front,” 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">★</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>“Wheel for the central police station and don’t +lose any time,” 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>“Motorcycle cop coming,” he cried.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_168">[168]</div> +<p>“How far is it to the station?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“Two blocks.”</p> +<p>“Then keep on going.”</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>“Smart guys, smart guys,” he yelled. “Look +where you stopped?”</p> +<p>Grinning, he pointed to the sign which designated +the building as the police station.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Bob had no time to waste words with a traffic +officer.</p> +<p>“Come on in and place all of the charges you +want to,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>The night captain nodded and waved the motorcycle +officer aside.</p> +<p>“Why all the hurry?” he asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Think it was a fake threat?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_170">[170]</div> +<p>“Any description of the boat?” pressed the +night captain.</p> +<p>“There was no one along the water front.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Lines north are busy at present,” 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, “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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What’s that?” 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>“But Bob, that’s impossible.”</p> +<p>“I thought so too, at first,” confessed Bob, “but +after that warning phone call I changed my +mind.”</p> +<p>“Call your hotel again. I’ll hold the line.”</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’s breath suck in.</p> +<p>“What have you done?” 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>“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.”</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>“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.”</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">★</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’s deductions.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“But we don’t know it was an unusual boat,” +protested Bob.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_175">[175]</div> +<p>“Well, we didn’t have any description and I +had to tell them something,” said the policeman.</p> +<p>They returned to the main desk. The night +captain was curious.</p> +<p>“Lot of federal men coming in?” 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>“It isn’t the usual thing, but I guess we can +fix you up,” 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>“Look these over and take your choice.”</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>“This feels like a good gun,” he said. “I’ll +take it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_176">[176]</div> +<p>From another case the captain produced a generous +supply of ammunition.</p> +<p>“There’s a range downstairs if you’d like to +try your marksmanship,” 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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Thanks a lot,” replied Bob. “I may have to +call on you if this case isn’t solved successfully.”</p> +<p>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.</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—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’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>“How’s Tully?” asked Bob, who was really +concerned over the condition of the young federal +agent.</p> +<p>Condon Adams’ face lighted up, for he was +genuinely fond of his nephew and Bob’s inquiry +touched a soft spot.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“It was a tough break,” said Bob and Adams +nodded.</p> +<p>“What’s been going on?” he asked.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_181">[181]</div> +<p>“Plenty,” replied Bob. “My uncle was kidnaped +earlier this evening.”</p> +<p>Adams dropped his bag and whirled to Bob.</p> +<p>“What’s that?” he demanded, as though unable +to believe the words.</p> +<p>“My uncle disappeared this evening and everything +points to a kidnaping by this gang of smugglers +we’re after,” 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’s neck.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_182">[182]</div> +<p>“Let’s get some coffee,” 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>“What a mess to get into,” he said, half to himself +and half to Bob. Then he looked up.</p> +<p>“Your uncle means quite a lot to you?”</p> +<p>Bob nodded. “You know he does. He got me +into the service and he’s pretty much of an older +brother to me.”</p> +<p>A waitress took their orders before Adams +spoke again.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_183">[183]</div> +<p>“He may be out for good now unless we can +find him,” said Bob bitterly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then you’ll work a hundred per cent on the +case?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.”</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>“I’ve never seen him before,” said Adams, “but +he doesn’t look like a very savory character.”</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>“You guys federal men?” he asked.</p> +<p>Bob and Condon Adams whirled toward him.</p> +<p>“What of it?” barked Adams.</p> +<p>“I was just askin’. If you are, I’ve got a message +for you.”</p> +<p>“Who from?” it was Bob now.</p> +<p>The little man shook his head.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_185">[185]</div> +<p>“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.”</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">★</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>“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.”</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>“Carry that bag and carry it carefully,” he +snapped. “You guys are going for a long boat +ride.”</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’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>“Stop!” the command was quiet but deadly +and Bob halted halfway to the seat.</p> +<p>“Back up and back up slow; I’m taking no +chances on gunplay.”</p> +<p>The driver of the car sat up quickly.</p> +<p>“Ain’t you searched them, Benny?” he asked.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_188">[188]</div> +<p>“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.</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>“Great work, Bob. I thought they were going +to get away with this for a while.”</p> +<p>“Is he hurt badly?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“It was spot shooting. I didn’t have time to +aim,” explained Bob.</p> +<p>“Then I hope I’m not the target when you +really aim,” 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">★</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>“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.”</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’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>“Throw this fellow into a solitary cell; I’ll +question him after I get back from the hospital,” +he said.</p> +<p>“What charge shall I book him on?” asked the +policeman.</p> +<p>“Attempted abduction of a federal officer,” +snapped Adams, who then turned toward Bob.</p> +<p>“We’ll get over to the hospital now and see if +the fellow you clipped with a couple of bullets +is ready to talk.”</p> +<p>They hurried outside the station, but Adams +stopped short when he saw the sedan at the +curb.</p> +<p>“I forgot all about the car,” he said. “It’s probably +stolen. I’ll report it to the captain.”</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>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Case serious?” pressed Adams.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_193">[193]</div> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Don’t make him talk too much,” 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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“You can’t hit me,” he cried.</p> +<p>“Maybe not, but I’d like to,” 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">★</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>“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.”</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>“I thought maybe he’d break and talk. He’s a +weakling. I’ll get it out of him later.”</p> +<p>“How much later?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“That’s just it. I don’t know. It may be too +late to help in the hunt for your uncle.”</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’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>“About ready to start for Atalissa?” he asked.</p> +<p>Bob nodded.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How about communications out of the village? +You may need help in a hurry?”</p> +<p>“I haven’t checked up on them,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Condon Adams glanced at his wrist watch.</p> +<p>“You haven’t much time to lose if you’re going +to make that southbound local.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Don’t take too many chances, Bob, and keep +your chin up. This thing is going to come out all +right.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_199">[199]</div> +<h2 id="c26"><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chapter XXVI</span></span> +<br />“DON’T MOVE!”<br /><span class="smaller">★</span></h2> +<p>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.</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 “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.</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>“Don’t have many passengers going to Atalissa,” +he said. “Them that wants to get there +usually go by car or boat.”</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’s ticket.</p> +<p>“Guess you’re the only passenger,” he said. +“Well, we might as well be going.”</p> +<p>“How about breakfast?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“Hungry?” asked the conductor.</p> +<p>“Just about starved,” confessed Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</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 “high ball” 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>“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.”</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>“Don’t need to hurry too much, they won’t go +away without you,” 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’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.”</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>“Now that you’ve about sized me up, what’s +on your mind, Bud?”</p> +<p>Bob almost fell over backwards for he had tried +to make his observation of the other man altogether +casual.</p> +<p>“Nothing,” he managed to reply, but the word +failed to carry conviction.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“No,” said Bob.</p> +<p>“Then why are you carrying a gun?”</p> +<p>Bob started, almost guiltily, and his face +flushed.</p> +<p>“That,” he retorted, “is none of your business.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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">★</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>“Turn around slowly now, but keep your +hands up.”</p> +<p>Bob obeyed the command and the sheriff +waved him toward a seat on the opposite side of +the car.</p> +<p>“Now that you’ve got my gun, you’d better let +me explain,” said Bob.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_208">[208]</div> +<p>“You can do your explaining in jail,” retorted +the sheriff. “No big-town gunman is going to run +another trick on me.”</p> +<p>The last words were said with grim determination +and Bob saw the sheriff’s jaw muscles tighten.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You’re just a kid,” scoffed the older officer.</p> +<p>“Turn up the lapel of my coat and see what’s +there. This thing has gone far enough,” insisted +Bob.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s kind of a crazy story and I don’t suppose +it would interest a federal man,” replied the +older officer.</p> +<p>“I’m interested in anything that’s going on +around here,” said Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_210">[210]</div> +<p>“What happened?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What did he look like?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“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.</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">★</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>“You mean to say they had the nerve to kidnap +your uncle, a federal agent?” asked the sheriff.</p> +<p>“I’m sure they have him and the only thing we +know is that the start away from Jacksonville was +made by boat.”</p> +<p>The sheriff nodded.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_212">[212]</div> +<p>“Can you remember any stops?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“Only one. We must have been very close to +the ocean, for I was sure I could hear the sound of +the surf.”</p> +<p>“Any idea in what direction you traveled?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Did you hear anything unusual when you +stopped where you thought you could hear the +surf?” pressed on Bob.</p> +<p>Sheriff McCurdy was silent for a time.</p> +<p>“Yes, there was one thing—a humming that was +faint and then increased in strength and finally +died away.”</p> +<p>“It might have been a ’plane,” suggested Bob.</p> +<p>“Why, I hadn’t thought of that. Sure, that’s +just what it sounded like.”</p> +<p>“The driver of the car got out and came back +a little after.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_213">[213]</div> +<p>“After the humming had died away?”</p> +<p>“That’s right,” 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>“Then he went on, later dumping you out of +the car?” pressed Bob.</p> +<p>The sheriff agreed.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>Bob felt that the time had come to be perfectly +frank with the sheriff.</p> +<p>“I’m down here on a smuggling case,” he explained. +“I’m going to need your help and I may +need it badly.”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“From your description, I’m positive it was +Hamsa,” replied Bob.</p> +<p>“Then he’s a tough customer if he escaped +from that river and got down here so rapidly.”</p> +<p>“One thing we’ve got to remember,” cautioned +Bob, “is that the gang is compact and apparently +extremely well organized.”</p> +<p>The sheriff was silent for a time.</p> +<p>“Think that plane landing last night might have +brought in smuggled gems?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_215">[215]</div> +<p>“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.”</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">★</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>“Looks like you’re right. That means we may +be in for a busy time when the actual contact is +attempted.”</p> +<p>“We’ll be busy enough, if we can learn where +the contact will be made,” retorted the young +federal agent.</p> +<p>“What about your uncle?” asked the sheriff.</p> +<p>The exultation which had marked Bob’s features +vanished.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_217">[217]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then if a big smuggling operation is under +way, it’s just possible that he might be brought +down here,” argued the sheriff.</p> +<p>“He might be taken to their hideout,” agreed +Bob, “but so far our men have no real clue to +that.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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—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>“Lucky trip this morning,” he declared. “Usually +the local has a couple of derailments.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>The first building, a story and a half structure, +was a barber shop and the sheriff turned in here.</p> +<p>“Morning, sheriff,” said the barber.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_219">[219]</div> +<p>The barber, inclined to stoutness and baldness, +shook his head.</p> +<p>“Not even any good fishing left,” he sighed.</p> +<p>“Everybody behavin’?” asked the sheriff.</p> +<p>“Just what are you driving at?” the barber +asked.</p> +<p>“Nothing special; just thought you might have +heard of something,” grinned the sheriff.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That ain’t so unusual, is it?” asked the sheriff. +“We’ve been used to all kinds of things along this +coast.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Bob’s eyes glinted.</p> +<p>“Where did it go?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_220">[220]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Bob saw a queer expression flit across the +sheriff’s face.</p> +<p>“I might have known that’s where such a boat +would be going,” he groaned. “Why couldn’t it +be toward some other island?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Not a word, sheriff,” said the barber, and they +left the small shop.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_221">[221]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What do you make of it?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t know there were any islands that +large along here,” replied Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</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">★</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>“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.</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, +“Now believe Merritt Hughes has been brought +to Lost Island and that attempt to bring in large +amount of gems will be made soon.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>A larger expanse of water opened ahead of +them.</p> +<p>“Harpey’s bayou,” said the sheriff. “This is +where Emil was fishing when that black speed +boat came through.”</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’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>“How far is it to Lost Island?” he asked the +sheriff.</p> +<p>“Depends on just which part we’re going to. +The nearest point is about eight miles from here.”</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>“Better look over your guns. We may need +them in a hurry,” 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">★</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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>The sheriff drew out his pipe and lighted it, +settling back against the gunwale.</p> +<p>“Aren’t we going on?” asked Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Coming fast,” 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>“We’ve got to follow him. That was Joe +Hamsa.”</p> +<p>The sheriff shook his head.</p> +<p>“We’re not following him now; still too light. +Besides I know he’s headed for the island. Listen +to him go!”</p> +<p>The roar of the exhaust gradually died away +and the sheriff turned to Bob.</p> +<p>“You’re sure that was your man?”</p> +<p>“Positive,” 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’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>“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?”</p> +<p>“That might be too late,” decided Bob. “We’ll +go on.”</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">★</span></h2> +<p>Ahead of them lay a long, low mass of +tangled undergrowth.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“No more noise; we’ll use oars from now on.”</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>“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.”</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>“Ease up a bit,” advised the sheriff. “We’ll +drift along here and rest.”</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>“There’s a light to your left,” he said. “Stand +up and look at it.”</p> +<p>Sheriff McCurdy stood up in the stern.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</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>“We’ll have to wade in,” he complained. “I’ll +get wet and that will make my rheumatism bad +again.”</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">★</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>“That looks like a beacon for a plane,” he +muttered.</p> +<p>“If it is, it fits in with your theory that they’ll +land the smuggled gems by plane,” 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>“We’re in for it now,” 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>“Stay down,” whispered the sheriff. “Maybe +they’ll miss us. We don’t want trouble now.”</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>“That’s Hamsa, I’m sure,” said Bob.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Must be either a seaplane or an amphibian,” +said Bob as the plane prepared to alight on the +water.</p> +<p>“Get inside,” 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>“All clear; come on!”</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">★</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’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>“Uncle Merritt, Uncle Merritt,” cried Bob. +“Speak to me.” 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>“We’d better get him out of here,” said Bob. +“They’ll be back and we won’t be ready for +them.”</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>“You’re not going any place, boys, except +where I want you to and you’ll never return +from there.”</p> +<p>Bob started to move, but a quick command +from Hamsa stopped him.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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’s outfit and in his +hands carried a soft leather case.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>The man known as Rap then turned to Bob +and his hands found the empty holster.</p> +<p>“Gun’s gone,” said Rap flatly and without expression.</p> +<p>“Where?” demanded Hamsa.</p> +<p>“Lost in the brush,” fibbed Bob.</p> +<p>The answer seemed to satisfy them and Rap +took the rifle from Bob’s hands.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_243">[243]</div> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“What are we going to do now?” asked Curt.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_244">[244]</div> +<p>“How about the federal men?” The flyer +gestured toward Bob and the others.</p> +<p>“Maybe we’ll sink them, too,” 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">★</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>“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.</p> +<p>“Pick up their guns, Bob,” commanded his +uncle and Bob picked up the machine gun and the +revolver Hamsa had dropped.</p> +<p>“Search them!”</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>“Got any handcuffs, sheriff?” asked Bob’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>“We can start any time you want to,” he informed +the federal men.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_247">[247]</div> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</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">★</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>“Sure you’re all right?” he asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Luckiest thing that ever happened to me was +when I ran into the sheriff,” he said.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_249">[249]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“They’ve been running in the diamonds by +plane all the time,” said Bob.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Where did Curt get the gems?” Bob wanted +to know.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_250">[250]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Bob, leaning back in his chair, looked at his +uncle.</p> +<p>“You must have been brought directly here,” +he said.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Bob chuckled.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_251">[251]</div> +<p>“Won’t Tully be sore when he learns that the +whole case has been cleared up without him getting +even as far as Jacksonville.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</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>“We’ll have to leave that for another trip,” +smiled Merritt Hughes. “Sheriff, let’s start for +town. I’m hungry and sleepy.”</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’s war on crime.</p> +<p class="tbcenter"><span class="small">THE END</span></p> +<h2><span class="small">Transcriber’s Notes</span><br /><span class="smaller">★</span></h2> +<ul><li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—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> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Agent Nine and the Jewel Mystery, by Graham M. 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