He decided at once that he would not meet 29 Ted. That would show one thing—the important thing to those who would want to know. How could he get to the boy’s mother without being observed?
To the girl who waited on him he whispered that he wanted her to arrange for two cars to wait at the main entrance of the Hotel La Salle at ten o’clock.
He strolled out and immediately felt himself shadowed. He reached the hotel, looked at the register very carefully, as if there was something there he wanted to see, then turned to the cigar-stand. Turning around, he saw another man looking just as carefully at that register. He smiled. Now he knew one of those who were watching him. He pulled out some memorandum slips from his pocket and made some notations. As if by accident he left one of the slips on the case, lighted his cigar, bought a newspaper, and sat down and lounged.
Another man came to the cigar counter, also bought some cigars, picked up some matches, and with it the slip of paper.
So there were two.
At five minutes past the hour Strong strolled to the door, made a frantic dash for 30 the machine, which seemed very slow to start. A moment later two men entered the machine immediately next, gave the driver instructions to follow the first machine, which by now had dashed off.
The first car went south. You may remember that Mrs. Marsh lived north. The second car followed. The occupants could never suspect the innocent appearing chauffeur of that second car, as he swore and raved at the policeman who had ordered him to stop to let the east and west traffic go by at the side street. The frantic men inside were assured that he would make up the lost time; that he knew the number of the car he was following. But he never found that car. He became very stupid, although always pleasant.
John Strong reached the home of Mrs. Marsh, certain that he had eluded the pursuit.
“Mrs. Marsh, I believe?” he asked as she opened the door.
“I am Mrs. Marsh,” she answered.