only one thing saved old king brady from an awful death.

the impetus given by the push was exceedingly fierce.

an ordinary shove would have dropped anyone right under the onrushing wheels.

but the force of the push sent the old detective far out into the air. he struck the further rail and the locomotive just brushed his body as it rolled over upon the next track.

it was a fearful fall, however, and for a moment stunned the old detective.

he lay half senseless upon the middle track.

luckily no train was approaching for it was not the time of day for the expresses which used this track.

a great shriek of horror went up from the spectators.

women fainted, men turned sick and all was fearful excitement.

harry was so horror-struck and dazed that he allowed the assailant to vanish.

when he found that his partner had escaped death, he turned to look for the perpetrator of the deed.

but it was too late.

he was gone.

meanwhile, the train guards and policemen had climbed down to give assistance to the detective.

but though badly shaken, old king brady recovered and got upon his feet.

he was assisted back to the platform and the train went on.

the police, learning who he was, asked no questions. the bradys, it is needless to say, were on the qui vive.

“did you see the fellow?” asked old king brady.

“no,” replied harry. “he got away too quick.”

“i have no doubt it was one of the trio.”

“oh, certainly!”

“that was a close call, harry.”

“i should say so.”

“to think he was so near us and we did not know it. i fear we have lost ground, my boy.”

“we are the shadowed!”

“just so.”

“well,” said the young detective, resolutely, “we’ve got to rig a trap for those fellows. if we don’t they’ll finish us.”

“you are right!”

“what can we do?”

“i have an idea!”

“what is it?”

old king brady was thoughtful. they had decided not to take the train and had left the elevated station.

they were walking down a part of columbus avenue. the elevated trains thundered along overhead.

but before old king brady could elucidate his plan, exciting incidents came along in quick order.

harry suddenly ejaculated:

“there is our man!”

he clutched old king brady’s arm and drew him back into a doorway.

standing before the door of a liquor saloon on the opposite side of the street, sure enough, was dan collins.

he wore the same slouch hat and it was beyond doubt that he was the villain who had pushed old king brady off the platform.

the two detectives gazed at him for a moment intently.

then harry whispered:

“it’s no use!”

“what?”

“he is onto us! he knows we are watching him.”

“do you think so?”

“sure!”

old king brady changed his position slightly.

then he gave a start.

“by the great horn spoon!” he exclaimed. “they are all around us!”

harry followed his gaze and saw his meaning.

on the opposite corner stood martin van. the crook seemed utterly oblivious of the presence of the detectives.

but the bradys knew better.

they were sure that the villain knew of their presence.

“we will test it,” said old king brady, after some discussion.

the old detective left the doorway and leisurely sauntered toward the corner.

instantly van, who appeared to be studying something in his hand, began also to change his position.

“ah! that is it!” thought the old detective. “he can see me plainly enough from the little mirror he carries in his hand.”

very swiftly the old detective revolved a plan of action in his head.

he acted with great suddenness.

as he slowly approached, van moved as slowly away.

this was irritating to the old detective.

suddenly he made a panther-like leap forward.

so swift was his action that the villain was taken off his guard.

old king brady actually succeeded in getting hold of his arm.

a hissing curse broke from van’s lips.

he aimed a murderous blow at old king brady.

but the old detective dodged it.

he would have had his man then and there but for an unlooked-for incident.

27

when harry saw the old detective grapple with van, he also saw collins perform a strange act.

he raised the palm of his hand.

in it was a tiny revolver.

the next moment the spiteful little report rang out on the air and old king brady released his hold on van and sank to the sidewalk.

harry had crossed the street in flying leaps and was upon collins like a panther.

people on the sidewalk paused in terror, not understanding the situation at all.

in another moment harry would have collared his man.

but a sharp warning cry from van caused collins to turn his head.

with a side leap he went through a saloon entrance.

harry burst into the place hot after his man.

half a dozen or more men were drinking at the bar.

these turned in surprise as harry burst into the place.

the proprietor, a huge, red-faced man, confronted the young detective.

“what do you want here?” he demanded. “get out before you’re bounced!”

“easy, my friend,” said the young detective. “i am in pursuit of a criminal. he came into this place.”

“you’re mistaken. no such man is here!”

“i saw him enter.”

“that’s not so. come, get out!”

harry ran his gaze quickly over the place.

he saw a door at the far end of the saloon.

he was convinced that his man had gone through that door.

he made a move toward it, but the big man barred his way.

“no, i guess not!” he said. “you’re not going in!”

“you stop me at your peril!” said harry, sternly. “i am an officer of the law!”

“is that so?” cried one of habitues of the place, jeeringly. “well, we haven’t any use for you here!”

“he’s a peeler!”

“throw him out!”

these were the cries which filled the place.

harry saw that the situation was by no means a pleasant one. he was only one against ten.

all this while collins was making good his escape. probably by some rear way.

this angered the young detective exceedingly, and he cried:

“you pack of hounds! you are trying to aid in the escape of that man. you are thwarting justice.”

a jeering roar of laughter followed.

but at this moment the door of the place burst open again.

this time old king brady and a couple of policemen appeared.

the old detective had not been seriously wounded.

the bullet had struck him a glancing blow in the leg and had brought him down with the shock.

but he had quickly recovered.

van, however, was beyond pursuit.

but old king brady had seen harry pursue his man into the liquor saloon.

realizing that the young detective might need assistance, he hailed a couple of policemen and started after him.

he had arrived just in the nick of time.

harry was facing the gang of crooks, but the odds were too great for him and the result might have been serious had he been left to play his hand alone.

the appearance of the officers, however, had a salutary effect.

the gang fell back toward the bar.

“what’s this?” cried old king brady. “where is your man, harry?”

“i might have caught him but for these fellows who have tried to block me,” said harry.

the old detective gazed keenly at the proprietor of the place.

“if i am not mistaken, i know you, jack billings!” he said. “up to your old tricks, eh? where is dan collins?”

billings shifted his gaze.

“i don’t know who you mean,” he said.

“yes, you do, too,” said old king brady, sharply. “come, out with it. i want the truth.”

“i don’t know the man!”

“you speak falsely!”

“i swear it.”

“your oath is worthless. come, tell us the truth. where is he?”

“really,” protested billings, “i don’t know the man you are speaking of. but perhaps you are after a fellow who rushed through here a little while ago and went out through that rear door.”

“and you detained me here on purpose to aid his escape,” declared harry. “don’t you deny it. you shall pay for this.”

“that is not so!”

“don’t lie about it. i shall see you later!” cried the young detective as with his companions he rushed through the door at the far end of the saloon.

they emerged into a small paved court.