“Yes, yes!” exclaimed the others in unison. “Find that man!”
CHAPTER XI
THE DOORS CLOSE
During all this time what had been happening to the air pilot, Curlie Carson, Johnny’s one time pal?
We left him forty feet below the city’s streets in a narrow tunnel with fumes of sulphur filling in behind him, and steel doors closing before him.
Curlie Carson could not remember the time that he was not conscious of some all-pervading presence hovering over and protecting him. Call it what you will, this feeling gave him calm confidence.
With all the remaining strength that was in him, he threw himself forward and through the door.
Scarcely had he passed than the doors closed with a sickening thud, and he dropped to the floor, exhausted.
He was soon on his feet, however. There was work to be done. The package that meant so much of honor or disgrace to him was still in the hands of the mysterious stranger.
Turning, he raced down the narrow tunnel. Coming to an intersection, he paused to listen. The trainman had disappeared. For a time the echoing tunnels were still. As he placed his ear to the ground he caught the sound of receding footsteps.
“Off to the left,” he told himself, “and he is not running. He thinks I am no longer on his trail!”