A FRIENDLY FACE
The Delafield Reform School was situated not far from the New Jersey
state line. Therefore, the route over which the boys were taken was
through a part of northeastern New Jersey, first crossing the great
bridge which bears the magic name of George Washington.
It was upon entering the vast span that Nickie Fallon made known to
Skippy his resolve. After that he lapsed into a long silence, looking
past his new-found pal and out upon the gleaming concrete lanes that
flanked them on both sides. His too-bright eyes seemed to roam through
space and for a moment his gaze rested on the giant cables that
stretched between sky and water like monstrous birds poised for flight.
Skippy had no doubt but that Nickie's thoughts were also on flight. The
detectives, however, seemed not to be cognizant of it, for they were
laughing and talking in low tones and apparently easy in mind about the
safety of their charges.
Dusk was settling and the broad plaza on the New Jersey side of the
bridge was resplendent with the last rays of the setting sun. Very
swiftly they left it behind and whisked down under a broad concrete
arch which brought them to a highway practically devoid of traffic.
"Ain't many people travelin' our way," a boy commented on the farther
side of the seat. He was no more than sixteen, red-haired and with
small blue eyes.
"Dippy Donovan's his name," Fallon informed Skippy immediately. "He
drew a year for wreckin' the principal's office in school. Twict he
done the same thing so now he's got his bit. I don't see doin' a
stretch for anything like that. At least I got some dough outa what _I_
done--how about _you_?"
"Yeah," Skippy murmured. And in order to divert the conversation from
himself, he asked, "Who's the kid next you an' who's the one 'long-side
him?"
"Greek pickpockets--Shorty an' Biff; don't ast me their last names! I
can't pronounce 'em."
Skippy grinned and turned his head away looking off into the dusk. He
was thinking that everything had gone fine so far and his behavior must
certainly have impressed Nickie, for that youthful transgressor seemed
to have accepted him at face value as one of his own kind.
It was during these reflections that Skippy noticed the detective
sitting up in the seat beside the driver. He was a thin, lanky sort of
man with hollow eyes and just at that moment he was glancing at the
boys. Presently his gaze rested on Skippy and without warning he pursed
his lips significantly and a look flashed from his eyes that the boy
immediately understood.
One of Mr. Conne's men!
He turned his head away again so quickly that, under other
circumstances, Skippy might have been inclined to consider the look as
merely a figment of his imagination. But in this instance, he knew that
he was right and that the detective had deliberately caught his
attention to assure him of his helpful presence there as Mr. Conne's
representative.
Well, it was helpful certainly, and tremendously reassuring to Skippy.
Mr. Conne had kept his word so far and the play gave great promise of a
successful conclusion. The boy was happier now and no longer felt alone
in his new venture. He had a staunch and dependable supporter and all
was well!
The shadows were lengthening and a lone bird winging swiftly homeward
for the night, looked dark and small against the feeble light on the
distant horizon. Talk lagged, then ceased altogether, and when night
enfolded them in one vast black shadow no sound could be heard save the
monotonous hum of the engine and the soft swish of the tires upon the
concrete road.
After a little while they turned off into a dirt road. The powerful
headlights gleamed out over deep ruts and in places the sandy soil lay
in little mounds, causing the car to bump and flounder about from one
side of the road to the other.
"Can't slow down too much," the driver said to the detectives. "I'm due
back at ten and it's after eight now."
"It's O. K. with us," said one of the men sitting in back. He nodded at
the man beside the driver. "You're not afraid of being thrown out
either, are you, Dorcas?"
"If I am I can pick myself up again," came the reply. The speaker
turned and though it was too dark to see very clearly, Skippy thought
the man smiled at him.
So Dorcas was his name!
Glad of that additional knowledge, Skippy put from him any lingering
fears. He was confident that nothing would mar Mr. Conne's well laid
plans. Dorcas would always be there at Delafield.
They were still bumping along at a pretty fair speed when the engine
emitted peculiar sounds. The driver made some comment but did not stop,
saying that it was probably due to the gas which he was trying for the
first time.
The engine continued to "act up" as the driver called it, but he did
not lessen his speed. They seemed to bump in and out of the ruts faster
than ever. Suddenly the car lurched forward tumbling them all about.
And, while Skippy strove frantically to keep himself from falling
entirely off the seat, they lurched again.
The driver yelled, the brakes ground and for the fraction of a second
the powerful car seemed to whirl. Skippy felt himself whirled along
with it, his head struck something and amid the ear-splitting shouts
and screams from the boys and the men, there came the sound of breaking
glass.
There was a sickening crash after that, but Skippy did not hear it.