Part 34 (2/2)
”Hurrah! That's the s.h.i.+p, all right,” thought Jack, ”there's a chance yet that we can stop them.”
CHAPTER x.x.xV.
THE WIRELESS MAKES GOOD.
He lost no time in hastening to Senator Rivers' house. Just as he turned into the gate Billy and Ned emerged. They had spent a sleepless night and were on their way to Police Headquarters to report Jack's absence.
As they saw their missing comrade, they set up a glad shout.
”Gracious, where have you been?” demanded Billy.
”We were on our way to the police about you,” put in Ned.
”Do you know anything about the Judsons and Jarrow?” asked Jack eagerly.
”Why, yes, they came out of the house some time after you went in. We chased them but they jumped into a high-powered car and escaped.”
”I know; they've gone to Baltimore.”
”How in the world do you know that?” asked Billy wonderingly.
”I'll tell you it all in a few minutes. Ned, is your father up yet?”
”Gracious, no. But if it's important I can tell him to hurry up.”
”I wish you would; there's a chance that we can get back the naval code if you do.”
”I'll tell him that, and he'll be dressed and down in record time,”
cried Ned, running off.
Jack waited to tell his adventures till they were all at breakfast. Then Billy and Ned had to tell their stories.
”Well, you boys certainly have your share of adventures,” remarked the Senator, ”but the most important thing now is to secure the apprehension of those rascals without delay. We had better call up the steams.h.i.+p company at Baltimore and find out if anyone called Jenkins or Thompson, I think those are the aliases they gave at the tenement house, are among the pa.s.sengers.”
This was done at once, but to the intense chagrin of all concerned, the telephone company had seized that early hour of the day to repair some wires which had been knocked down in a thunderstorm near Baltimore the night before. It was impossible to communicate with that city till some hours later.
”We might telegraph,” suggested Jack.
”Yes, I'll call a messenger at once. But I doubt even then that we'll be in time,” said the Senator.
The telegram was sent, but before a reply came they were able to use the telephone.
”Hullo, is this the Italian-American steams.h.i.+p Company?--all right--are three pa.s.sengers, two men and a boy, booked on the _Southern Star_ as Jenkins and Thompson,--they are,--good, this is Senator Rivers talking, from Was.h.i.+ngton,--those men are criminals,--they have robbed the government of valuable doc.u.ments--summon the police and have them arrested and held--I'll take full responsibility--WHAT!--The _Southern Star_ sailed two hours ago!”
The senator dropped the receiver from his hand in his disappointment.
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