Part 16 (2/2)

”They've got the dynamite, I tell you--everything! It's a man named Nelse.”

”Nelse what?”

”The man they're going to kill. I've got to go now, you get ready.

Good-bye!” And Peter hung up the receiver. He had got so excited over the part he was playing that he sprang up and ran out of the drug-store, as if he really had to catch up with some I. W. W.

conspirators carrying a dynamite bomb!

But there was Nell, and they strolled down the street again. They came to a small park, and sat on one of the benches, because Peter's legs would no longer hold him up. Nell walked about to make sure there was no one on any of the other benches; then she came back and rehea.r.s.ed the next scene with Peter. They must go over it most carefully, because before long the time was coming when Peter wouldn't have Nell to coach him, and must be prepared to stand on his own legs. Peter knew that, and his legs failed him. He wanted to back down, and declare that he couldn't go ahead with it; he wanted to go to McGivney and confess everything. Nell divined what was going on in his soul, and wished to save him the humiliation of having it known. She sat close to him on the bench, and put her hand on his as she talked to him, and presently Peter felt a magic thrill stealing over him. He ventured to put his arm about Nell, to get still more of this delicious sensation; and Nell permitted the embraces, for the first time she even encouraged them. Peter was a hero now, he was undertaking a bold and desperate venture; he was going to put it thru like a man, and win Nell's real admiration.

”Our country's at war!” she exclaimed. ”And these devils are stopping it!”

So pretty soon Peter was ready to face the whole world; Peter was ready to go himself and blow up the king of American City with a dynamite bomb! In that mood he stayed thru the small hours of the morning, sitting on the bench clasping his girl in his arms, and wis.h.i.+ng she would give a little more time to heeding his love-making, and less to making him recite his lessons.

Section 44

So the day began to break and the birds to sing. The sun rose on Peter's face gray with exhaustion and the Irish apples in Nell's cheeks badly faded. But the time for action had come, and Peter went off to watch McCormick's home until seven o'clock, when the special delivery letter was due to arrive.

It came on time, and Peter saw McCormick come out of the house and set forth in the direction of the studios. It was too early for the meeting, so Peter figured that he would stop to get his breakfast; and sure enough ”Mac” turned into, a little dairy lunch, and Peter hastened to the nearest telephone and called his boss.

”Mr. McGivney,” he said, ”I lost those fellows last night, but now I got them again. They decided not to do anything till today. They're having a meeting this morning and we've a chance to nab them all.”

”Where?” demanded McGivney.

”Room seventeen in the studios; but don't let any of your men go near there, till I make sure the right fellows are in.”

”Listen here, Peter Gudge!” cried McGivney. ”Is this straight goods?”

”My G.o.d!” cried Peter. ”What do you take me for? I tell you they've got loads of dynamite.”

”What have they done with it?”

”They've got some in their headquarters. About the rest I dunno.

They carried it off and I lost them last night. But then I found a note in my pocket--they were inviting me to come in.”

”By G.o.d!” exclaimed the rat-faced man.

”We've got the whole thing, I tell you! Have you got your men ready?”

”Yes.”

”Well then, have them come to the corner of Seventh and Was.h.i.+ngton Streets, and you come to Eighth and Was.h.i.+ngton. Meet me there just as quick as you can.”

”I get you,” was the answer, and Peter hung up, and rushed off to the appointed rendezvous. He was so nervous that he had to sit on the steps of a building. As time pa.s.sed and McGivney didn't appear, wild imaginings began to torment him. Maybe McGivney hadn't understood him correctly! Or maybe his automobile might break down!

Or his telephone might have got out of order at precisely the critical moment! He and his men would arrive too late, they would find the trap sprung, and the prey escaped.

<script>