He paused for a moment.
“Your uncle is missing?”
“He was kidnaped last night,” replied Bob. “There were three in the gang and they got him and the radio paper which was stolen from our file.”
Arthur Jacobs nodded sorrowfully.
“I’m sorry about that, Bob, for he is in great danger then. I’ll tell my story as quickly as I can; then you must act without loss of time.”
Chapter XXVII
ACTION AHEAD
★
Arthur Jacobs wiped the perspiration from his forehead and then reached for the glass of water. He drained it at one gulp and leaned back in his chair, an air of relief on his face.
Bob, tense, waited for him to speak. When the words finally came they rushed out in a torrent and Bob heard a story that wrenched at his own heart.
“It’s been terrible, Bob, terrible. I’ve got to tell you the whole story. When Fritz escaped from prison he made his way east and I had letters from him. He needed money; he had always needed money as far as that was concerned. When I sent word that I had none to spare, he started threatening me. Then he fell in with bad company and the first thing I knew he was here in Washington.”
The filing chief paused a moment and wiped his forehead again for the perspiration was running freely.