#11
_June 28th._
To-day I had to go to my work as usual, so I didn't see any of the gang
until night. In our present state of excitement and uncertainty we
have abandoned the Turtle Bay as a meeting place. I found my partners
in anything but a good humour.
In the first place they had learned through the friendly orderly that
in spite of all their measures, you had been safely spirited out of the
hospital in an ambulance. It was learned by way of the ambulance
driver that you had been carried to Dr. ----'s private hospital. It
was then too late to do anything. By the time they got there, you had
left, and the town had swallowed you up.
The entire strength of the gang, excepting me, has been devoted all day
to picking up your trail, so far without any success. They have
watched all your usual haunts, your flat, your restaurant, S. F.'s home
and your office on Fortieth street. Foxy brought in word that the
International Bureau on Forty-Second street had been closed, and all
the operatives discharged. He trailed Keenan, the supposed manager to
the office of the ---- Railway, where he was re-engaged for his old
position.
Jumbo came in with the information that the piece of evidence which
they regarded as of such importance had been returned to him. I don't
know what this was. Lorina, examining it, said that it appeared to
have the remains of paste on the corners, and that you had probably had
it photographed.
Foxy gave it as his opinion that you had been scared off. "We know
there is no one backing him," said he. "He has no financial resources.
He can't keep it up."
Lorina would have none of it. Her eyes become incandescent with hatred
when your name is mentioned now. "Don't you believe it," she snarled.
"That man will never give up. I have seen his face and I know! He's a
bull-dog. He will never rest until he has pulled us down, unless we
stop him with a bullet."
Jumbo became panicky. His suggestion was for the gang to scatter and
lie low for the time-being.
Lorina scorned him. She proceeded to point out to us all just where
you stood. She appeared to know as well as you do. Her insight is
uncanny. You have no case, she said, except possibly against Foxy.
You are too conceited to be satisfied with one. You will not strike
until you have a chance of landing the whole gang.
"But how about the kidnapping?" asked Jumbo.
"The police would have been here before this if Enderby wanted to
proceed on that," she said. "Why, he watched me walk away after I shot
him; and never said a word. No, I tell you he hasn't got the evidence
yet, and we're safe until he gets it. He's aiming to make a grand haul
of the whole gang together, and get his name in the headlines."
The others were considerably impressed. They asked for instructions.
"We've got to go on just as we are," said Lorina. "Foxy must keep the
room on Forty-Ninth street, Jumbo the flat on One Hundredth street, and
I stay here. Let everybody go about freely, and meet here as usual,
that is, all except English. English mustn't come here again. Enderby
isn't on to him yet. Enderby, if I have the right dope, will lie low
for a few days and then thinking that we are lulled to security, will
quietly start to work again. That's why we must keep our present
hang-outs. He's got to come to one of them to pick us up, and then
we'll have _him_."
This woman is a wonder in her way. Fortunately, there is one fact that
spoils all her reasoning--your humble servant.
As we broke up she said a significant thing. "Lord! the conceit of the
man, thinking he can break up the gang! Why if he did land all of us
it wouldn't make any difference. He hasn't got within a mile of the
real boss!"
Being excited she spoke more recklessly than usual. So it appears that
our work perhaps is just beginning!