Cad Metti, The Female Detective Strategist | Page 5

and the watch, and then, my covies, what will we do?"
"We'll nip her, eh?"
"You bet. Now just watch. There they go. Who was right, eh?"
"I reckon you were, old man."
"You bet I am, every time. Ah, we're in luck."
Oscar occasionally got a sly chance to glance at the three thieves, and so cute was he, and such a face reader, he could almost have repeated their talk without hearing a word of it. He read their conversation on their well-marked faces.
"Let's go, Cad. We've got them well hooked. They have seen your wad; that's what they are measuring."
The girl tittered. It was her way of working off her excitement in view of the adventure she knew they were to pass through; and indeed a very startling adventure was to crown the incidents of the day and night.
Oscar and Cad left their seats and had wandered like a pair of happy young lovers toward the exit gate, and they were the observed of all observers. Many remarks, pertinent and characteristic, were made concerning them, and yet, seemingly unconscious that they were attracting any attention at all, they moved along. Upon reaching the platform they met a train that had just arrived from the city, and boarded it to make the short run to the Island. And all the time they maintained their frivolous demeanor, but four sharp eyes were on the alert, and Oscar observed:
"They are swallowing the bait."
"Yes, we've got 'em."
It's strange, but about the same idea ran through the minds of the three rogues. They had feared that their game might take a train to the city, and when they saw them board the train bound for the Island the man who had spotted the game said:
"What did I tell you, covies?"
"They are going to the beach."
"They are, dead sure."
"We are in luck."
"We are, you bet, and now I am going to prophesy again. That gal has got a good thing. I tell you she will walk him away off down the beach. She is bound to have those sparkles. She has her eye on them. Good enough; I hope she'll get 'em, but she'll never wear 'em. No, no, it's I and you, my covies, who will wear those sparkles. We covets them, we do, and we's got to have 'em; yes, sir, we's got to have 'em, and we will."
Oscar saw the man get on a rear car, as intimated, and there was triumph in his heart.
We will here explain the theory upon which the confederate detectives were working. Wise had said that there was an organized gang, that the scoundrels were practicing all manner of criminality, and he had determined upon the link by link game--a good one--a search for clues. One thief as a rule knows another thief, and so the linking of acquaintance goes on until a rogue is struck who suggests a participation. The rule does not always work, but generally it is a success, and was likely to prove so in the "shadow" Oscar was working. He knew he might get on to the trail of a dozen or more rogues before he struck one that was a member of the secret criminal organization. He had every reason to hope he would succeed.
The confederate detectives arrived at the Manhattan Beach Hotel, and as our hero had resolved to move very slowly and take notes as he went along he led Cad to a table and ordered a dinner, and during the meal the same amusing farce was kept up, and the thieves passed and repassed the table where their selected victims were seated.
"They are following down to a close shadow on us," said Oscar.
"Yes, and I am looking forward to the surprise we have in store for them."
"It will be very enjoyable; but, Cad, I've been thinking."
"I call you down before you speak."
"What was I going to say?"
"You were going to say there was risk, and I must not scare it."
"Partner, you are a mind reader."
"I can read your mind when it runs in a generous direction."
"It is not a matter of generosity but of precaution. Those fellows look like a desperate trio."
"Certainly, but they are off their guard."
"They are?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"Oh, you know well enough, we've acted so as to throw them off. Do you know how they have measured us?"
"I have an idea. What is yours?"
"They think you are a flat."
"That's certain."
"They think I am playing you."
"Right again."
"They think a slight rap on the ear will send you squealing."
"Yes, that's correct."
"Then they will go through me, and as I am, as they believe, a thief like themselves they fear no risk from me."
"Admitting what you say is true----"
"We will give them a great surprise."
"Sure, but after they discover their mistake----"
"It will be too late for them to do any harm. We will