Cad Metti, The Female Detective Strategist | Page 6

have them flattened out, or we will have forgotten an old way of managing these things. Oscar, it is a great thing to meet an antagonist who really underrates you."
"That is true."
"And so in this deal I tell you I think we are on a better lay than we are aware of. After we have downed these fellows we will know what to do."
"Yes, we will follow them up."
"Certainly, and we will have a great lead."
Oscar and Cad lingered a long time at the table. They desired "wind and tide," as we will put it, to be just right for them.
It was well on toward five o'clock when the confederate detectives rose from the dinner table and walked down toward the beach. They walked very slowly and all the time maintained the r?le they had started out to assume. They passed the bathing pavilion, walked along beyond the Oriental Hotel and then turned toward the beach at a point bordering on the inlet, and there they halted and stood to admire the incoming waves. Twilight was beginning to cast its lengthening shadows over land and sea.
The men who were set to rob the couple meantime dodged along on their trail, keeping far in shore toward the Sheepshead Bay, and their leader was chuckling all the time. He said:
"Oh, covies! how am I for a prophet? I'm a mind reader, and I'll set up for a professional. These fagots are carrying out my programme to the letter. I tell you I know the ways of smart gals like the one who has that poor dude in tow. She is going for him right smart. She will clean him out. I shouldn't be surprised if she sandbagged him and left him lying on the beach. Well, well, won't we have a haul! I saw that wad, and I tell you it's a big one; and the watch and the diamonds! Ay, ay, we will just have a jolly time for a week. Talk about betting, eh! well, this little trick beats all betting. We play to win, not to lose, every time. There is no chance here. That gal is walking the dude right into our trap. We've got the wad already, and won't we have a surprise for the smart, bright-eyed little miss! Why, she is laying out her cash already, she is so sure of getting all the chap has; but we'll do the shopping on his wad, not she, you bet."
As stated, Oscar and Cad wandered down to the beach and here as before they enacted their r?le to perfection, and it was at this moment that one of the men asked:
"How shall we do it?"
It was then the man uttered the words with which we open our narrative:
"Let's duck him and steal the girl."
The three laughed. It all looked so easy. The young fellow was, as they supposed, such a "sweetie," such a little darling, who would turn pale and plead for mercy the instant one of the three men spoke to him. The latter discussed their plan, and it was arranged that their leader should approach the young people and engage them in conversation. The man did approach and Oscar remarked to Cad:
"Now the fun commences. Well, well, what a real pretty surprise we have in store for those rogues! Cad, I enjoy this; yes, I do--it's immense!"
"Don't forget yourself, Oscar, and laugh too soon."
"Don't fear me, but there will be two or three sore heads around here in a few moments."
Meantime the man approached. The two detectives did not appear to see him until he stood directly in front of them and said:
"Good-day."
Oscar elevated his glasses to his eyes and stared at the man in true dude style, and Cad recoiled as though shocked at being addressed by a stranger.
"I beg your pardon, my friend," said Oscar, "I haven't the pleasure of your acquaintance."
"Oh, you haven't?"
"No, I can't say that I ever saw you before."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed it is true, my friend."
"What a pity! why, we are old friends."
The thief's pals were drawing near.
"You are mistaken, my friend," said Oscar, adding: "And I must kindly request you to move off and not disturb us."
The man haw-hawed in a rough manner and said:
"Well, you are playing it nice."
"I do not understand your allusion, sir. It is very vulgar--yes, sir, very vulgar."
"Is it, indeed? Why, you rat, do you think I do not recognize you?"
"You certainly do not recognize me. I never saw you before in my life."
"He! he! ha! ha! that's great, my covie; yes, that's great. So you never saw me before? Well, well, I've seen you often enough. I was looking at your portrait only yesterday."
"You were looking at my portrait only yesterday?" repeated Oscar.
"Yes."
"Where on earth did you see my portrait?"
"In the rogues' gallery--number