Part 14 (2/2)

”It wouldn't be reg'lar professional like, and then there wouldn't be no style about it.”

Tom made no reply. In fact there seemed nothing further for him to say; Bob's answer left no chance for argument.

The two boys now stood opposite Gunwagner's. Presently a boy with a package in his hand approached the house, and, looking nervously about him, as if he feared he was watched, walked up the stoop and rang the bell three times. He did not see the two young detectives, as they were partially hidden by a big telegraph pole.

After a time the door opened, and he pa.s.sed in. Bob noticed that it was very dark inside, and wondered why no light shone.

”I couldn't get in, nohow, if I wanted to,” said Tom, trying to justify himself for his seeming cowardice.

”Does look so,” a.s.sented Bob, absentmindedly.

”I wouldn't like to be a prisoner in there; would you, Bob?”

”No, of course I wouldn't.”

”I wish we could get your chum out.”

”I wish so, too; but you don't s'pose we can do it by standing here, do you?”

”No, but I don't know nothin' to do; do you, Bob?”

”If I told you what to do, you wouldn't do it.”

”Well, I didn't see no sense in my goin' in there alone, nohow.”

”I did, if you didn't. I wanted you to look round and see what you could find out, and post me, so when I went in I could do the grand act.”

”I wouldn't a' got out to post you, Bob. They'd a' kept me--that's what they'd done.”

The door now opened, and out came the same boy who but a few minutes before had entered the Gunwagner den. He looked cautiously about him, and then started down the street toward the East River. He was a small boy, of about twelve years of age, while our two detectives were several years his senior. From remarks dropped by Felix Mortimer and Peter Smartweed, Bob surmised that Gunwagner might keep a fence, and the suspicious manner of this small boy confirmed his belief.

”Here's our chance,” whispered Bob, nervously. ”You follow this boy up, and don't let him get away from you. I'll rush ahead and cut him off.

Keep close to him, so we can corner him when I whistle three times.”

”All right,” said Tom, with his old show of enthusiasm, and each commenced the pursuit.

Between Allen and Orchard Streets the detectives closed in on the small boy. Bob had put himself fairly in front of him, and Tom followed close behind. The chief detective slackened his pace very perceptibly, and seemed to be trying to make out the number on the house before which he now halted.

”Can you tell me where old Gunwagner lives?” said he, addressing the small boy, who was now about to pa.s.s by.

The boy stopped suddenly, and the color as suddenly left his face.

Bob had purposely chosen this locality, close to a gaslight, so that he might note the effect of his question upon the boy. Now he gave the signal as agreed upon, and Tom instantly came up and took a position that made retreat for the lad impossible. The latter saw this, and burst into tears. Conscious of his own guilt, he needed no further accuser to condemn him.

”Don't take it so hard,” said Bob; ”you do the square thing, and we won't blow on you--will we, Tom?”

”No, we won't,” replied the latter.

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