Part 46 (1/2)
”You are certain this Crazy Jim is the man I am after?”
”Oh, yes.”
The mentioning of Crazy Jim's name interested Jerry. Crazy Jim was still up on Blackwell's Island. It was possible, however, that they referred to some other individual.
To hear what further they might have to say the young oarsman kept close to the party.
”It's been a long hunt for me, gentlemen,” said the tall man, and by his speech Jerry felt sure he was a westerner. ”But if I am on the right trail, things will soon come out right.”
”What do you want to find Crazy Jim for?” asked one of the short men.
”I'm not saying any thing about that just now,” was the cool response.
”Oh, excuse me, of course not.” The short fellow looked around, but failed to catch sight of our hero. ”Jack, how about a smoke?” he said to the other short fellow.
”Strike a light,” was the answer.
The words were evidently a secret signal, for hardly were they spoken when one of the short men caught the westerner from behind and held his arms.
”Here, what's the meaning of this?” cried the man, in alarm.
”Keep still, old man, and we won't hurt you. Raise a row and you'll get knocked out. Quick, Pete, with his diamond pin and that roll of bills in his left pocket!”
At this command the man in front rushed in and caught hold of the man's pin. Out it came in his hand, a beautiful affair, worth at least a hundred dollars.
”Stop! stop!” yelled the westerner. ”Police! police!”
”Shut up!” hissed the man who held him. ”Pete, crack him over the head. We can't afford to take any chances here.”
Thus ordered, the man who held the diamond pin slipped it into his pocket.
Then he raised his heavy cane and started to do as bidden when Jerry rushed at him.
”Stop! Don't hit that man!”
The rascal was surprised.
”Who are you? Oh, it's only a boy. Clear out of here!”
”I won't! You let that man alone.”
”Don't leave me,” pleaded the victim. ”They want to rob me. He has my diamond pin!”
”Shut up!” howled the man in the rear. ”Crack him, Pete, and crack the boy, too.”
Once more the heavy cane was raised. Our hero caught it in the center, and by a dexterous twist wrenched it from the rascal's hand.
With a howl of baffled rage the rascal turned and caught Jerry by the throat.