CHAPTER XXVI
CASSIDY CATCHES NED
A systematic search of the lodging houses was begun that afternoon. But it was harder and more baffling work than any one had imagined.
John Newton gave them unexpected aid. As he had much time to himself he offered to go with them to the different lodging houses in the evenings, and give his whistling imitations of birds.
“What good will that do?” asked Bart. “Does he think Ned will hear him and come from hiding?”
“Not that,” explained Fenn, to whom John had told his scheme. “But when he’s whistling there’s sure to be a crowd around him, and, if Ned is in the place, he’ll join the others and we may see him. I think it’s a good plan.”
The others did also, and, for several evenings John amused the inmates of the lodging houses with his whistling. As Fenn had said, crowds gathered about him, and the three chums looked eagerly through them for a sight of Ned.
It was perhaps one of the best plans the boys could have adopted, for in their eagerness to hear the “Bird Warbler” the unfortunate lads and men who were forced to the shelter of the places crowded close up around John Newton. In this way Bart and his companions could scrutinize at short range nearly every person in the throng.