He heard Waldo Edgar's breath suck in.
"What have you done?" came the question, and Bob was ready.
He told of his own attempt and added that he had enlisted the aid of theJacksonville police.
"That's right as far as you've gone," said his chief. "Unfortunately abig kidnaping has broken in the midwest and all of the extra men areconcentrated there. Condon Adams will be back in Jacksonville shortlyafter midnight and you must get in touch with him."
There was a brief pause while the federal chief mulled over plans for hisnext strategy.
"This isn't going to be easy to do, Bob," he said, "but I'm counting onyou going to your assignment at Atalissa at once. This gang must be aboutto pull off a really big job and I have a feeling the disappearance ofyour uncle is a step to keep federal men from concentrating further southalong the coast. Get all of the information you can and turn it over toCondon Adams when he arrives. Then you continue south and Adams will takeup the search for your uncle. As soon as additional men can be spared,they will be sent to aid you."
Chapter XXII A HARD ASSIGNMENT *
It was a hard assignment to take, but Bob acquiesced. He would havepreferred to remain in Jacksonville and search for his uncle, but herealized the logic in Waldo Edgar's deductions.
"Keep in close touch with me, Bob, and if it looks like things are goingto break down the coast, we'll get help to you. Keep your chin up now,and give them all you've got."
The receiver on the far end of the line clicked and Bob hung up theinstrument he had used. The night captain stuck his head in the door.
"I've sent word to the coast guard to keep a close watch for any unusualboat. Maybe they'll be able to turn up something."
"But we don't know it was an unusual boat," protested Bob.
"Well, we didn't have any description and I had to tell them something,"said the policeman.
They returned to the main desk. The night captain was curious.
"Lot of federal men coming in?" he asked.
But Bob was noncommittal. He would be going further south in a few hoursand the search for clues here would be turned over to Condon Adams. Onething he did need, was a good revolver and ammunition for the rifle.
He made known his wants to the night captain.
"It isn't the usual thing, but I guess we can fix you up," said thepoliceman.
He called another officer to take charge of the desk and led the way intoa rear room where there was a whole rack of guns.
"Look these over and take your choice."
The night captain opened the case and Bob tried half a dozen revolvers inhis hand until he found one that was balanced to suit him.
"This feels like a good gun," he said. "I'll take it."
From another case the captain produced a generous supply of ammunition.
"There's a range downstairs if you'd like to try your marksmanship," hevolunteered.
Bob knew that in the coming hours he might find himself in a positionwhere a trusty gun would be a life saver and he accepted the captain'sinvitation.
His finger was steady and the pressure on the trigger smooth. As a resulthe turned in a surprisingly good score and the policeman whistled when hesaw the card Bob shot out.
"Good work, boy. Anytime you get tired of this federal manhunting justlet me know and I'll see that you have a job here."
"Thanks a lot," replied Bob. "I may have to call on you if this caseisn't solved successfully."
When they returned upstairs the captain rummaged through the ammunitionchest and finally found some cartridges which would fit Bob's rifle. Ashoulder holster was also borrowed and Bob adjusted the straps so that itfitted neatly under his coat.
After thanking the night captain for his assistance, Bob returned to thehotel. Another inquiry at the desk revealed that there had been no wordfrom his uncle and Bob went upstairs.
His body was tired from the strain of the last few hours and he took awarm shower, topping it off with a cold spray that sent the bloodtingling through his body. Then he dressed in fresh clothes and stretchedout on the bed for a little relaxation before going to the train to meetCondon Adams.
Bob would have preferred to remain in Jacksonville to lead the hunt forhis uncle, but he knew that Adams was both capable and ruthless and whena federal agent was kidnaped, personal feelings which Adams might havetoward his uncle would vanish.
Bob mulled over the preceding events and the disappearance of his unclestrengthened his belief that Hamsa had survived his fall off the trestleand into the flood waters the night before. If Hamsa had not survived,Bob doubted if his uncle would have been abducted for he knew that Hamsawould be afraid of the results when his uncle and he got to comparingnotes.
The feeling that some momentous activity by the smugglers was under waygrew as Bob lay there on the bed. The leaders were desperate and yetcourageous enough to attempt to do away with two federal agents andhaving failed to do that had kidnaped a third.
Bob got up and scanned a map of Florida which he had obtained. His fingerran along the coastline until he came to Atalissa. Then he traced on downto Nira where Tully had been assigned. It was a desolate, sparselyinhabited section of the coast--an area which in centuries before hadprobably been a favorite hiding place for bands of pirates who had rovedthe Spanish main. Numerous indentations dotted the coast, offering ampleshelter to men who were afraid of the law.
With a start Bob noticed the time. It was after eleven o'clock. He wastaking no chances and he adjusted the shoulder holster, filled thechambers of the revolver with shells, and slipped on his coat.
At the desk downstairs he left word for the clerk to take any messagewhich might come for him. Then he sped toward the station in a taxi. Whenhe arrived at the terminal he found that the train Condon Adams wascoming on was half an hour late, for the tracks north were still softfrom the heavy rain of the preceding night.
Bob sat down to wait for the arrival of the train and as the minutesslipped away he had the feeling that he was under observation. The hairalong the back of his neck tingled and he wanted to turn around and stareat those back of him. Instead, he moved once or twice as though restlessand finally stood up, stretched, and strolled over to the magazine stand,where he could turn around and see the entire concourse.
Bob picked up a magazine and skimmed through the pages with fingers thatturned the sheets mechanically while his keen eyes roved over the room.Finally he came back to a lightly built man who had been leaning againsta radiator somewhat to the right and back of the bench on which he hadbeen seated.
The man was dressed in a poorly fitted dark suit, wore a cap, and movedrestlessly. He was the only one in the scattered gathering of people inthe station whom Bob would suspect of being there to watch him.
Just then the lights flashed over an incoming train board and Bob turnedand walked toward the train gates. Passengers started coming through thegate and among the first was the bulky form of Condon Adams. Bob calledto him and Adams turned aside.
"How's Tully?" asked Bob, who was really concerned over the condition ofthe young federal agent.
Condon Adams' face lighted up, for he was genuinely fond of his nephewand Bob's inquiry touched a soft spot.
"Getting along fine," he said. "Oh, he's pretty sore and all that, buthe'll be able to continue on his assignment in two or three more days."
"It was a tough break," said Bob and Adams nodded.
"What's been going on?" he asked.
"Plenty," replied Bob. "My uncle was kidnaped earlier this evening."
Adams dropped his bag and whirled to Bob.
"What's that?" he demanded, as though unable to believe the words.
"My uncle disappeared this evening and everything points to a kidnapingby this gang of smugglers we're after," explained Bob.
Condon Adams threw back his head and laughed, but it was a grim sort oflaugh that sent chills down Bob's neck.
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"Well that's good," snorted Adams. "Merritt Hughes, ace federalmanhunter, kidnaped. I suppose I'll have to hunt for him now instead ofthe kidnapers."
"I guess that's about the size of things," replied Bob slowly. "I've beenin touch with Washington. I'm to go on south to Atalissa on my originalassignment and you are to take up the hunt here for him. I've already gotthe Jacksonville police on the case. When Tully comes out of thehospital, he is to continue to Nira as first ordered."
"Let's get some coffee," said Condon Adams as they walked past theentrance of the station restaurant.
The older federal agent slid his traveling bag into a corner and droppeddown into a chair.
"What a mess to get into," he said, half to himself and half to Bob. Thenhe looked up.
"Your uncle means quite a lot to you?"
Bob nodded. "You know he does. He got me into the service and he's prettymuch of an older brother to me."
A waitress took their orders before Adams spoke again.
"Then you know how I feel about Tully; he's kind of a kid brother to me.But that's getting away from what I started to say. Your uncle and I havealways been rivals in the service. One of us would solve a good case andthen the other would win on the next one. He's never liked the way I gotin through a little political help, but on the whole I've done a prettygood job. Gosh, I wouldn't know what to do if anything happened to him totake him out of the service."
"He may be out for good now unless we can find him," said Bob bitterly.
"That's just it, and Bob, differences are going to be forgotten for thetime. Why I wouldn't be happy if your uncle and I weren't in some kind ofa scrap to see who could solve a new case. We'll find him and we'll findhim soon."
"Then you'll work a hundred per cent on the case?" asked Bob.
"Day and night," promised Condon Adams, reaching across the table toclasp Bob's hand firmly in his own and Bob knew that the older agent wasa man of his word and highly competent in his own peculiar way.
Cups of steaming coffee were set before them as well as the plate ofdoughnuts which Adams had ordered. They attacked the lunch with a willand Bob, draining his cup of coffee a few minutes later, caught anotherglimpse of the slender, slouching figure he had seen in the main waitingroom.
"Don't turn around," he said to Adams, "but when we get up, look at thelittle fellow in the dark cap and suit. He's outside looking in thewindow. I had a feeling in the station he was watching me."
Condon Adams reached for the checks and stood up. In reaching for histraveling bag he was able to turn toward the broad glass window and get agood view of the man Bob had described.
"I've never seen him before," said Adams, "but he doesn't look like avery savory character."
He paid the bill for their lunch and as they stepped out of therestaurant and looked for a cab, the man in the dark suit sidled up tothem.
"You guys federal men?" he asked.
Bob and Condon Adams whirled toward him.
"What of it?" barked Adams.
"I was just askin'. If you are, I've got a message for you."
"Who from?" it was Bob now.
The little man shook his head.
"I don't know," he mumbled. "Fellow down on the water front gave me anote to give to the federals. Said one of them was at a hotel. When Iinquired there I learned he'd gone to the station so I came along andthought I'd try you."
He reached for an inner pocket and too late Bob divined what washappening. The street they were in was quiet now and suddenly there wasdanger in the air.
Chapter XXIII SNAP AIM SCORES *
Before Bob could reach for his own gun, the little man had whipped asnub-nosed automatic from a shoulder holster under his left shoulder andhis eyes gleamed in the dim street light.
"How nice of you to tell me you were federals; saved me a lot of trouble.Smart guys, aren't you? Well, get going toward that car on the other sideand don't make any bad steps."
A cold rage gripped Bob. They had fallen into a neat trap and probablywould soon be as helpless as his uncle, who had been kidnaped earlier inthe evening. In the meantime, the smugglers would have ample time to runin a large sum of gems. Since they were willing to take the desperatechance of abducting three federal men, the amount must be tremendous.
Condon Adams started to set down his traveling bag, but a sharp commandfrom the little man stopped him.
"Carry that bag and carry it carefully," he snapped. "You guys are goingfor a long boat ride."
They walked rapidly across the street. In fact, Bob was in a hurry toreach the car. For some reason they had not been searched and if he couldget inside the sedan he might be able to slip the revolver out of hisshoulder holster. Condon Adams lagged a little; perhaps suspecting whatwas in Bob's mind.
The door of the sedan opened as they neared and Bob saw a man slouched atthe wheel. There was no one else in the car and Bob stepped into thesedan, his muscles tense and his nerves cold.
"Stop!" the command was quiet but deadly and Bob halted halfway to theseat.
"Back up and back up slow; I'm taking no chances on gunplay."
The driver of the car sat up quickly.
"Ain't you searched them, Benny?" he asked.
"Shut up," snapped the man on the pavement and Bob, stepping backgingerly now, caught a glimpse of the man with the gun. There was just achance of success for a desperate play and he took the chance.
The gun in the shoulder holster was unfamiliar as was the holster, butBob was half hidden by the darkness of the interior of the sedan. Hisright hand, moving like a flash, grasped the butt of the gun. Withoutattempting to pull it from the holster, Bob simply elevated the muzzleand pulled the trigger.
He fired by instinct as much as anything and a flash of flame stabbed thenight. On the echo of the shot came a sharp cry and the man on thepavement leaped backward, his own gun replying.
Bob fired again and through the haze of smoke and the acrid smell ofburning cloth saw the little man tumbling. The driver of the car swungtoward Bob, but before he could get into the scrap, Bob jerked the gunfrom its holster and clubbed him over the head with the barrel. It was asavage blow, but he was dealing with men who knew no mercy themselves.The driver slumped forward in his seat and Bob, gun in hand, leaped fromthe car.
Condon Adams, who had been able to draw his own weapon, was leaning overthe man on the street.
"Great work, Bob. I thought they were going to get away with this for awhile."
"Is he hurt badly?" asked Bob.
"Well, I don't think he's going to be doing any more mischief for a goodlong time. Your first one caught his right shoulder and the second onetook his left leg--that's what I'd call disabling a gangster."
"It was spot shooting. I didn't have time to aim," explained Bob.
"Then I hope I'm not the target when you really aim," said the olderfederal agent.
Chapter XXIV AT THE HOSPITAL *
A policeman on duty at the station, attracted by the shooting, came onthe run and Condon Adams flashed his federal badge.
"Get an ambulance and get this man to a hospital. See that a heavy guardis placed at his bed. We'll take the fellow in the car down to thecentral station with us and make a personal report."
The federal men remained on the scene until an ambulance arrived. In themeantime Condon Adams had handcuffed the driver of the car, who was nowregaining consciousness. He pushed him into the back seat, tossed in hisown traveling bag, and with Bob driving the car, they started for thepolice station.
The trip was uneventful and they parked the car in front of the stationwhere a few hours before Bob had telephoned the news of his uncle'sabduction to Washington. The same night captain was on duty and his eyeswidened when he saw Bob and Condon Adams with their handcuffed prisoner.
Before the policeman could ply them wit
h questions Condon Adams explainedwhat had happened.
"Throw this fellow into a solitary cell; I'll question him after I getback from the hospital," he said.
"What charge shall I book him on?" asked the policeman.
"Attempted abduction of a federal officer," snapped Adams, who thenturned toward Bob.
"We'll get over to the hospital now and see if the fellow you clippedwith a couple of bullets is ready to talk."
They hurried outside the station, but Adams stopped short when he saw thesedan at the curb.
"I forgot all about the car," he said. "It's probably stolen. I'll reportit to the captain."
By the time the older federal agent was back Bob had a cab waiting at thecurb and they told the driver to speed them to the hospital.
"If we can get either one of these fellows to talk, it may be the breakthat will open up this case," mused Adams as the cab roared along the nowalmost deserted streets.
They pulled up at the hospital where a dim light glowed over theentrance. There was no general admittance at that hour of the night, butcontinued ringing of the bell brought an orderly and they gainedadmission.
Condon Adams revealed their identity to the night supervisor and askedthe condition of the man who had been brought in.
"He's resting fairly comfortably," said the nurse. "The bullet in hisshoulder has been removed and the one in his leg will be taken out in themorning."
"Case serious?" pressed Adams.