Dan Carter and the River Camp Part 29

After awhile, the boy became aware of the approach of a high-powered speedboat. Turning to look, he was astonished to see that a Webster City police patrol boat was beaching on the island.

As he went down to the water's edge, a sergeant and plainclothesman stepped out of the boat.

"Is this the Cub camp?" the sergeant inquired.

"Yes, sir, it is," Dan replied. He wondered what had brought police to the island at such an early hour, or for that matter, at any hour.

"We're looking for a Mr. Hatfield."

"He isn't here just now. But I expect him back in a half hour or so."

"Mr. Holloway?"

"They're together."

"We came to take one of the boys back to the station with us," the sergeant explained. "A kid by the name of Dan Carter. Is he around?"

Dan drew in his breath, and answered uneasily: "I'm Dan Carter. Why do you want me? What have I done now?"

"Why, nothing-not a thing," the police officer rea.s.sured him. "Weren't you one of the youngsters who saw the operator of a motorboat that struck Mr. Holloway's sailboat?"

"That's right. But how did you know?"

"Oh, we check up," the sergeant replied with a friendly grin. "Remember the blindman?"

"I did tell him about the crash," Dan recalled. "He pa.s.sed the information on to you?"

"Right. You saw the men in that boat?"

"Yes, but not plainly. The boat was running without lights."

"Think you could identify any of the men if you saw 'em again?"

"One of them, I might."

"Describe him."

"Well, he was short and muscular-heavily built. His jaw was sort of square and his face puffy. I couldn't see the color of his hair, but would say he was on the dark side."

"That's a pretty fair description, Dan," the sergeant praised. "You're observing."

"Actually, I think I saw him twice," Dan replied. "Once in the boat and then again on sh.o.r.e talking to a little fellow with a paper bag. 'Paper Bag Eddie', they called him."

The police sergeant and plainclothesman exchanged a quick glance.

"Kid, you're the one we need to help us," the latter said. "Now this is the set-up. We've picked up a man we think may have been mixed up in the fur robbery. Also, he may be the one that rammed Mr. Holloway's boat. We want you to identify him."

"I don't know if I can," Dan said doubtfully. "I'll be glad to try."

Excited at the prospect before him, Dan scribbled a note for Mr. Hatfield and the Cubs. This he placed under a pile of stones on the beach where he was certain it would be seen. He then boarded the police boat and was ferried across the river.

At the police station, Dan was told to wait in an ante-room. He sat down, thumbing through the pages of a magazine. Policemen went in and out, but save for an occasional glance at the boy, no one paid any attention to him.

Dan began to wonder if he had been entirely forgotten.

After awhile, he arose and wandered out into the first floor corridor. As he stood there watching men and women pa.s.s through from James St. to Whitehill Ave., he suddenly stiffened.

Through the revolving doors came Paper Bag Eddie. The man was alone. His hat had been pulled low over his eyes, and his coat collar was high, but he carried the familiar paper sack.

A policeman, recognizing the man, stopped him for a moment.

"h.e.l.lo, Eddie," he said, eyeing him guardedly. "What brings you here?"

"The measles," Eddie retorted, his thin lips curling into a sneer. "You got nothing on me, copper. It's a free corridor, ain't it?"

"Just keep moving, Eddie."

"I'm here to pay a traffic fine," the man replied. "Any law against it?"

"Go ahead," the policeman said. "Just make it snappy and get out. We don't want you loitering around here."

Eddie eyed the police officer insolently, but made no reply. Pa.s.sing Dan, he entered a door which bore a sign: "Pay Traffic Fines Here."

However, he did not remain three minutes inside the room. No sooner had the policeman stepped into one of the court rooms, than Eddie emerged into the corridor again.

His fox-like eyes darted back and forth, noting that no other policemen were anywhere in sight.

This ascertained, he sidled over to Dan.

"You're here to identify a man you're supposed to have seen in a motorboat," his purring voice said. "Get this! You never saw the guy before."

Taken by surprise, Dan stared at Eddie and made no reply.

"Have some popcorn?" the man invited.

Dan shook his head, and made uncomfortable by those dark boring eyes, moved a step back against the wall.

Eddie had opened the bag. Now he thrust it directly under the boy's eyes.

Dan saw then that it contained not popcorn, but a 32-caliber revolver.

"You never saw the guy before," Eddie repeated. "If you forget-you'll hear from me. I got a way of taking care of my friends and them that ain't."

Two policemen had emerged from one of the offices. Dan turned to signal to them. Before he could do so, Eddie wheeled and departed by way of the revolving doors.

"You're Dan Carter?" one of the policemen called, noticing the boy.

"They're waiting for you."

"That man who was talking to me!" Dan exclaimed. "Did you notice him?"