“I thought you weren’t goin’ to hold me, chief,” protested the cab driver.
“I’ll do better than that,” said Cardona. “You’re going to be here a while, aren’t you, inspector?”
“Yes.”
“All right, I’ll ride up in this man’s cab. I’ll stop off at the Fourth District and pick up Clark. If that call comes in from Philadelphia, hold it. I’ll ring in from the district station.”
Cardona and the cabman hurried to the street. The detective climbed into the cab, and the vehicle sped uptown. It had hardly passed the nearest corner before a car shot after it.
Flash Donegan was at the wheel of the pursuing automobile. Beside him was Cliff Marsland. Flash and his companion had seen the cab stop at headquarters. They had seen Cardona come out with the taximan.
Therefore, while Flash evidently had a purpose in trailing the cab, he was not staying too close to it.
Cliff had no definite idea concerning Flash Donegan’s purpose. He was now a member of the racketeer’s newly formed mob. He had met Flash Donegan the night that Dip Riker had suggested he be added to the organization. He had passed Donegan’s keen inspection.
Tonight, he had been called upon this special duty. Flash was noncommittal, but Cliff knew that the gang leader was bound upon an important mission. Flash had selected Cliff because he appeared to be the most capable gat wielder of the outfit.
Flash spoke while they were riding uptown. It was one of the first times that the suave man had expressed himself.