CHAPTER XIV.
BOB OUTWITS THE OLD FENCE.
Bob easily gained admittance to the den by the aid of his confederate. He found there old Gunwagner, Felix Mortimer, and another boy, who passed out just after the young detective entered. The old fence eyed Bob sharply, and perhaps somewhat suspiciously. The manner of the small boy was excited. He did not appear natural, and this alone was sufficient to attract the old man’s attention.
It was a critical moment for Bob. He did not know that the boy would not turn against him. In fact, he half suspected he would, but nevertheless he was willing to take the chance in the interest of Herbert, and that he might do a skillful piece of detective work. Moreover, there was the danger of being recognized by Felix Mortimer, who had seen him twice that very day; once at the bank in the morning, and again in the afternoon when Bob played the role of bootblack.
Old Gunwagner questioned him sharply. The small boy, however, told the story precisely in accordance with Bob’s instructions. The young detective meanwhile hastily surveyed the room and its furnishings, and when he had discovered what he thought would serve his purpose, he turned to his confederate, and said:
“Well, I believe I’ll let this man have the things I brought with me. You may go out and get them, and bring them in here.”
“Why didn’t you bring them in with you?” asked the fence, suavely.
“I didn’t know as we could trade, so I thought I’d better leave ’em outside,” answered Bob, carelessly.
When Tom saw the boy come out alone, he knew the part he was to act, and following out the directions of his chief, he and the confederate rushed into the dark passageway leading to the fence, and yelled “Fire” with all the power they could command. Before giving the alarm, however, they lighted a newspaper, and placed it near the outer door.
Bob had purposely made his way to a far corner of the room, so that, as a matter of fact, he was farther from the place of exit than either Mortimer or Gunwagner. This was part of his scheme.