CHAPTER XXII
BOB ACTS QUICKLY
Bob had almost lost sight of Lena through this temporary delay and hehurried ahead through the crowd, bumping into several people, and drawingblack looks from many for his rudeness. He was in a hurry, however. Hehad to catch up with Lena, and there was no time to be polite.
Lena too was hurrying. She threaded her way in and out among the throngsof people, and Bob was hard put to it to keep pace with her. As he rushedalong he became more and more puzzled and confused as to what was takingplace. There was no doubt in his mind that Lena and Heinrich were workingin the interests of Mr. Wernberg and therefore were to be watchedclosely. Apparently Lena was in league with the fake detective too, elsewhy should he stealthily slip a communication into her hand?
But the detective had blown up the house when Mr. Wernberg was within itand had nearly caused his death. If they were all working together howwas that fact to be reconciled with what had befallen him? Probably Mr.Wernberg had been injured accidentally as Sergeant Riley had explained.At all events Lena was hurrying along through the crowd and Bob's taskwas to follow her. His father was watching Heinrich and it would never dofor Bob to let his quarry escape him.
Lena followed the main street for several squares. The crowd was stillthick, but Bob kept his eyes on her. Presently she turned down a sidestreet, where it was easier to follow her and Bob heaved a sigh ofrelief. He was sure he could keep track of her now, and his mind waseasier. They passed fewer people all the time, and now the onlyilluminations were the street lamps and an occasional arclight.
Bob dropped further behind. His one wish was to avert suspicion on Lena'spart, and the sight of a tough-looking man with heavy black whiskers, oldclothes, and a dilapidated slouch hat dogging her footsteps might wellhave made her uneasy.
Every hundred feet or so Lena cast a quick glance over her shoulder. Bobdid not walk on the stone pavement, but skulked along in the shadow ofthe hedges and fences except when a passerby came along. Consequentlywhenever Lena looked behind her he stood still. It was exciting work.
A half-mile or so down the street Lena stopped. She stood under one ofthe street lamps, and after a sharp glance in all directions, stealthilydrew a piece of paper out of the bag she carried. She was plainlynervous, and Bob watched her intently. She was about to read the notethat the fake detective had handed to her.
It took Bob only a second to make up his mind. The occasion called forquick action and he acted quickly. Running swiftly and silently on themoist earth, he stole up behind Lena. She was standing still, deeplyengrossed in what she read on the paper she held in her hand.Consequently she was unaware of Bob bearing down upon her.
When he was about ten feet behind her, Bob suddenly dashed forward, evenmore swiftly than before, and before the startled cook knew what washappening he had snatched the paper from her hand and was speeding awaywith it. He ran only for a few steps, however. An exposed root from oneof the big maple trees that lined the sidewalk caught his foot; hetripped, was thrown violently forward, and fell sprawling on his face. Hedid not relax his hold on the paper, however. It was crumpled, but heheld it tightly clenched in his hand.
The fall jarred him considerably. The knee of his trousers was torn andhis hand scraped. His hat fell off, and as he slid along the ground onhis face, half of his false whiskers were ripped off. He picked himselfup as quickly as he could, however, and turned around to see what Lenawas doing.
She was nowhere to be seen.
Bob Cook and the German Spy Page 22
