(This interesting story was commenced in No. 153 of Nick Carter Stories. Back numbers can always be obtained from your news dealer or the publishers.)
CHAPTER XX.
A RASCAL’S LUCK.
It was quite by accident that young Mr. Gale, son of the proprietor of the Chronicle, learned of the Bulletin’s contemplated exposé of police conditions in Oldham. He happened to be passing police headquarters just as Patrolman John Hicks, with whom he was acquainted, came out of that building. One glance at the policeman’s scowling face was sufficient to inform Gale that something was wrong.
“What’s the matter, John?” he inquired. “You look worried.”
“I am worried, Mr. Gale,” Patrolman Hicks replied. “Something happened to me last night while I was on duty that has got my goat. Walk up the street with me a little ways, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Gale, scenting a possible story for the Chronicle, eagerly accepted this invitation.
“It was shortly before two this morning,” Officer Hicks began. “I won’t deny that I was taking a little nap. You see, Mr. Gale, night work don’t agree with me at all. I think it’s an outrage to ask a human being to do it.”
“Certainly,” Gale agreed heartily. “But what happened, John?”
“What happened was this, Mr. Gale: I was leaning against a lamp-post, sort of dozing off—as I say, I’m not going to deny it—when all of a sudden there comes a flash of light which hits me right in the eyes, and a sort of explosion. Well, of course, I opens my eyes quick, and there, right in front of me, is a big black automobile with three young fellers in it. Before I can ask any questions, that automobile moves off rapidly up the street and disappears.”
Gale was by no means a slow-witted young man. The probable origin of that flash of light immediately suggested itself to him. There arose in his mind also a suspicion of the identity of at least one of the three occupants of the big black automobile.