Petey, stepping past the dog warily, led the way. The room was a squalor
of untidiness. Dirty blankets were tumbled on the army cot bed, and a
cracked mirror stood upon a paint-chipped dresser. The hand-organ, gaudy
with cheap trappings, leaned in a corner and, attached to it by a light
chain was a wizened, wrinkled, black-faced monkey. The animal flew into a
rage, climbed the length of its chain and, from the top of a
window-casing, shrieked and chattered.
"Ira was right," Captain Tucker said harshly. "And we're too late."
Joe's throat ached. Jolly Billy Foster taken by violence and held for
ransom! Hidden away in some dark hole, probably, homesick and
terror-stricken. He looked at his uncle. The blind man's face had become
intent.
"This room reeks," Dr. Stone said, "with the stench of cheap shaving
soap. Search it."
"For what?" Captain Tucker asked, puzzled.
"Hair."
Joe, conscious only of the stale stench of the room, marveled that his
uncle could detect the smell of soap. He poked into the corners. Petey,
lounging in the doorway, watched the search narrowly.
"What's this bird been pulling, Cap?"
"Kidnaping," Captain Tucker threw at him.
Petey went white. "So help me, Cap. I'm out of it. You ain't got a thing
on me. Take my oath. I ain't touching nothing like that. Who'd he
snatch?"
There was no answer. Lady, pawing, had brought a ball of paper out from
under the bureau. Captain Tucker opened the wad.
"Hair," he said.
"There's blood, too," Joe cried.
The blind man whistled soundlessly. "A shaved off mustache and a cut
lip."
"Tried a disguise and marked himself." Captain Tucker bolted for the
door. They pushed past the alarmed, agitated Petey and left him crying
after them.
At the railroad station a strange agent, a relief for the regular man,
came to the ticket window.
"Did you sell a ticket late this afternoon or this evening to a man with
a cut lip?" Captain Tucker barked the question.
"Why, yes." The agent spoke with a slow, maddening drawl. "Short, dark
fellow. Couldn't help noticing that lip. Looked as though----"
"How many tickets did he buy?"
"Why, if I recollect, he bought one. Yes; one ticket."
"Where to?"
"Peekskill. Yes; I remember that. Just happens that I have a married
daughter in Peek----"
Captain Tucker frothed. "Never mind your family. This is important. What
train did he take?"