That man was far away, still wending his course across the State. Convict 9648 was once more Herbert Carpenter!
CHAPTER XIII
A MAN AT BAY
THE summer season at Seaview City had reached its height. Gay crowds thronged the board walk. The Club Catalina was doing great business.
It was here that a tall, furtive man appeared early in the evening, to take his place at an obscure table. He seemed possessed of a desire to keep out of the light, this man. He had good reason. He was none other than Herbert Carpenter.
The escaped convict had come to Seaview City with definite intent. Despite the fact that he had been arrested and convicted in this resort, he figured that it afforded him comparative security. Even if any one had looked for him, he was disguised well enough to avoid detection.
Last night, Carpenter had visited his cottage. There, he had found only the children — asleep — and in care of an elderly woman whom Jerry Stevens had provided. Carpenter had not lingered long. He knew that Madge must be in the hospital.
Carpenter’s path to Seaview City had been a circuitous one. First he had visited the town where he had his small savings account. He had drawn the money, and mailed some of it to Jerry Stevens in New York, keeping enough to finance himself for a short time in Seaview City.
But in his heart, Carpenter knew that misery and poverty were here. Those funds had amounted to only a few hundred dollars; the amount that he had sent to Jerry was only enough to enable the brother-in-law to bluff along until more cash was forthcoming.
Money! He must have it! That was why Herbert Carpenter had come here — to learn if Big Tom Bagshawe was around. It would be easier to reach the gambling king than it would be to approach the others. Big Tom would have to come through — if he hesitated, Carpenter would force the issue.