Bob Cook and the German Spy Read online

  CHAPTER XXIII

  UNDER THE LIGHT

  Hugh turned quickly and followed the fake detective through the crowd.The man sauntered along as if he was in no hurry whatsoever, so that Hughtoo had to walk very slowly. The man stopped and looked in at the windowsof many of the stores, and close behind him every time stood Hugh; he wasat a loss to account for this behavior on the part of the man he wasfollowing, as his dilatory tactics were in sharp contrast to the way inwhich Lena had hurried.

  Every few moments the fake detective took out his watch and looked at thetime. Hugh decided he must have an engagement for later on in theevening, and that until then there was nothing for him to do.

  As nine o'clock struck on the City Hall clock the man whom Hugh had beenfollowing stepped into a drug store. There was a row of telephone boothsalong one side of the store and the man entered one of these and shut thedoor. Hugh could see him through the glass, as he took down the receiverand gave the number to central.

  Hugh loitered around the store, looking at the various articles offeredfor sale under the numerous glass cases, while at the same time he kepta careful watch on the telephone booth. The man talked for what seemeda long time and finally Hugh was afraid to remain in the store anylonger lest he should arouse suspicion. He went out and took his standnear the front entrance, in a spot where he could see every one whocame in or went out.

  There were large posters in the store window urging men to enlist in thearmy and the navy. Pictures of trim looking soldiers and sailors were onthe posters and the cards bore urgent calls for recruits. "Your countryneeds you _now_," ran the legend and Hugh sighed to think that he was notyet old enough to answer the call. His ancestors had been Americans formany generations, they had fought and bled in every war the country haddeclared, and Hugh wanted to live up to the traditions they hadestablished. He realized too that his country did need men, perhaps asnever before. He knew that in order to defeat Germany every ounce ofstrength the country possessed would have to be thrown into the struggle.As his father said, "Germany is beaten, but they don't know it yet, andit may take years of stubborn fighting to teach them."

  Hugh's thoughts were interrupted presently by the reappearance of thefake detective; he came out of the drug store and turning to the rightwalked off down the street. He hurried now, so that Hugh had trouble inkeeping pace with him. The man walked swiftly as if he had some definiteobjective in view, and Hugh realized that probably the crisis of thewhole affair was not far distant.

  Suddenly Hugh spied a rough-looking individual approaching them from theopposite direction; his clothes were dirty and the knee of one of histrousers legs torn. He recognized Bob at once.

  The fake detective eyed Bob as he passed, but probably took him for sometramp passing through town; certainly he looked the part. Every one inthe crowd edged away from him as he drew near, and Hugh could not helpwondering if he looked as tough as his friend.

  Bob recognized Hugh as he came along without a word of greeting, turnedabout and walked along beside him. He had seen the fake detective onahead and though there was no chance for explanations, he knew that Hughwas still on the trail.

  In a few moments they came to the City Hall. The detective looked up atthe clock on the tower, compared the time with his watch and then tookhis stand under one of the electric lights on the street in front.

  "He has a date here," whispered Hugh. "We'll have to cross the street."

  They crossed over and under the pretense of looking at the billboards infront of the moving picture theater kept watch on their man.

  "Where've you been?" demanded Bob.

  "Just following that man around," said Hugh. "What happened to you?" andhe looked at his friend's torn and dirty clothes.

  Bob related the story of his experiences. He had searched vainly for anytrace of Lena and failing to find her had resolved to take one turn alongthe main street and then go down to the factory. He had met Hugh as hasbeen told.

  "But the paper Lena had," exclaimed Hugh. "You got it you say?"

  "I certainly did."

  "What did it say?"

  "Read it," said Bob, handing the crumpled sheet over to his companion.

  Hugh started to unfold it, but before he could do so, Bob grasped him bythe arm and pointed across the street. "Look," he exclaimed.

  A woman had joined the fake detective under the light, and the two weretalking together.

  "It's Lena!" said Hugh excitedly.

  "But where did she come from?"

  "I don't know, but there she is all right."

  "He's mad about something," said Bob. "Probably because she lost thatpiece of paper."

  "That'll prove to him they're being watched."

  "I wonder if they suspect us."

  "Let's hope not, yet," said Hugh earnestly. "There they go," he added amoment later, as Lena and the fake detective started down the street.They still were talking excitedly together and it was hard to tell fromtheir manner whether the man was threatening Lena or pleading with her.

  "Another chase, I suppose," sighed Bob. "I'm getting tired."

  "Not a chase on foot anyway," said Hugh, for just then the fake detectivehailed a passing cab; he and Lena stepped into it and a moment later werebeing driven rapidly away.