Into the Lake

The detectives were startled by the sound of the siren but it immediately put them on their guard. Seeing the car which Moonshine Charlie was driving, tearing down the street, they thought something was wrong and they threw themselves to the ground. The gangster was bent on revenge, though there was little he could do. His plan evidently was to drive by the group of detectives, and through the open window of his car, fire on them as he passed. It was a violent gesture, born of hate and contempt.

The detectives threw themselves on the ground, dragging the two gangsters down with them. Moonshine Charlie fired four or five times as he sped by, but all his shots were futile and hurt no one. However, Jack was only a couple of yards behind him. The boy slowed down as he came alongside a group of policemen. Mr. Grey jumped forth and leaped onto the running board. “Drive!” he cried.

The car leaped forward and flew out of sight. The gangster kept speeding straight ahead. Jack kept his siren screaming and hoped no one would get in his way. Mr. Grey assured himself of a firm hold and then turned his attention to the fleeing automobile ahead of him. The police car was much more powerful and Jack was gaining gradually. Mr. Grey aimed and then fired, but with no result.

Moonshine Charlie turned the next corner on two wheels. Jack was after him. The gangster began to zigzag and that was to his disadvantage because that enabled Jack to gain considerable distance on him. Mr. Grey fired a second time, but again, the shot had no effect. Suddenly Jack caught his breath. Moonshine Charlie had turned a corner. The boy knew that it was a dead end street and unless the gangster slowed up, the car would run straight into the lake.

Jack slowed up as he turned the corner. Mr. Grey of course did not realize why, but as soon as the corner was turned, he saw for himself. The gangster didn’t know it was a dead end street. It was too late when he realized it. Slamming on the brakes, the car seemed to shiver and bounce into the air. Evidently Moonshine Charlie had lost control of his machine, for it ran onto the sidewalk, almost crashed into the brick wall of a house, and then leaped through the wooden fence and into the lake.

Jack pulled the car up to the curb and stopped. Mr. Grey and he rushed up to the lake. The terrible splash of the water caused by the plunging automobile was already becoming calm. Jack stared at the approximate spot and shivered. Mr. Grey asked, “Anything wrong, fellow?”

“No,” was the meek answer. There was a short silent pause, then he remarked with deep feeling, “It’s a terrible death.”

The government agent nodded silently, then replied, “He lived a terrible life.”

By now a crowd had gathered and several reporters and photographers had arrived. Mr. Grey and Jack pushed their way through and drove off again. “Shall we go back and see if the men are still there?” asked Jack.

Mr. Grey nodded. “Yes, let’s go back.”

For a short while they drove along in silence. Jack felt so shaken by the incident that he drove the car at a very slow pace. The agent commented, “It’s a good thing you happened to be there on the spot, or else he would have gotten away and might also have wounded some of the men.”

“Yes,” answered Jack ironically, “I thought I was safely out of it when bang, there. I was right in it.”

Mr. Grey regained his good humor and laughed. “It seems that we can’t get along without you fellows. You boys have done more in the capture of the gang than I and the detectives did. I wonder if they got Harriman all right.”

“I don’t suppose they had any difficulty,” was Jack’s opinion.

“I’m not so sure of that,” was the contrary opinion. “Harriman was a violent sort of person, very temperamental and brutal. But for that matter they all were. A tough bunch they were.”

They arrived at the scene of the battle. The change was now so vastly different, that Mr. Grey commented upon the fact, “Suddenly, everything is again quiet and serene. Isn’t it wonderful?”

Jack was silent. There was no one in view and they assumed that the detectives with their prisoners had returned to police headquarters. Mr. Grey suggested that they enter the house and see what was inside. Jack had no objection and together they mounted the few steps to the porch and entered the house. The door opened on a small foyer, with stairs leading up to the rooms above. On their left was a door which Mr. Grey opened and they entered. The room was fairly well furnished as a living room, but now, after the battle, it was in considerable disorder.

They went from room to room and then upstairs. They were all fairly well furnished. Except for the two rooms which were used by the gangsters in their struggle with the police, the furniture was not at all disturbed. Jack asked, “Did the gangsters occupy this house?”

“In a fashion. But they didn’t live here,” the agent informed him. “Actually they lived at the hotel, but they used this house from which to carry on their operations. Let’s go, shall we?”

They returned to their car and drove back to police headquarters. There they found that the prisoners had been brought in and put in jail; not one of the detectives had been hurt. The chief greeted them and shook Mr. Grey’s hand. “Great work,” he said, “great work. Did you get Moonshine Charlie?”

The government agent shook his head sadly and replied, “No, I’m sorry to say I didn’t.” He turned to Jack for confirmation. “You see,” he continued, “he got away. We were just about to grab him when phizz, up he goes and jumps into the lake.”

“Jumps into the lake!” exclaimed the chief.

“Yes,” was the answer. “You see, he was going so fast, he couldn’t stop himself.”

“He fell in, car and all,” added Jack.

Chief Bates heaved a sigh of relief. “Whew! For a moment you had me thinking that he actually got away.”

“Well, he did,” insisted Mr. Grey. “He got away so cleanly, no one will ever catch him again.”

The chief and the detectives laughed. Catching sight of Jack, the chief pulled him forward and shook him by the hand. “I already heard of what you did, fellow,” he said. “That was very bravely done.”

“As I was telling him just before,” commented Mr. Grey, “I don’t know what we would have done without him and his friends. They did more to capture the gang than all of us put together.”

“You didn’t hear all of it,” exclaimed the chief. “Did you hear what his friend, Paul Morrison, did?”

Jack nodded and wondered what Paul had been up to now. “What this fellow, Paul, did?” continued the chief. “He went with three men to take Harriman into custody. Well, this fellow put up a tough battle. To make a long story short, he came out of the rear of his store, barricaded himself and fired shot for shot. They might still be there shooting it out if it wasn’t for this fellow. He sneaked up on his rear, jumped the gangster, and bingo! there he was all captured and no longer tough and fighting.”

Mr. Grey laughed heartily. “These fellows,” he remarked, “are showing us all up. Did I say before you ought to make them honorary members of your force? I take it back. They would show your men up so, the whole force would soon be plagued with an inferiority complex.”

The chief roared and slapped his knee. “That’s a good one,” he cried.

Jack said, “By the way, where are Ken and Paul?”

“They are in the detectives’ room. Shall I call them? Do you want them?”

“Well, it’s about time we went home.”

Mr. Grey laughed. “Notice how calm and nonchalant he is and with what poise he said that,” commented the government agent. “The job is done, nothing else to do, so it’s about time to go home, just like that.”

Jack blushed and Chief Bates laughed. “Well,” he said, “there is really no reason why the boys should not go home.”

“No, I guess not. I think they deserve it.”

“Yes.” The chief winked to the government agent. “I think I will send them home in an official car.”

“Oh, that isn’t necessary at all,” cried Jack. “We can just as well walk home.”

He rose to his feet as if he intended to leave. “Now you just sit there,” said the chief. Opening the door of his office, he called his secretary to have the boys come in.

Chief Bates and the government agent continued their joking. A minute later Jack and Ken and Walters entered. “Oh, there you are,” cried Paul. “We didn’t know where you were and what happened to you.”

“Yes,” added Ken, “we were waiting for you.”

“Well, here I am,” Jack informed his friends, “and I think it’s time we went home.”

Chief Bates, addressing the detective, said, “Walters, will you please take the boys home?”

“Oh, that isn’t necessary at all,” cried Paul. “Thanks all the same. But we can walk home.”

“Notice the modesty of them,” remarked Mr. Grey. “It’s really funny.”

The chief laughed. “All right,” said Walters, “if you’re ready, let’s go.”

Chief Bates came around the desk and shook hands with them. “Any time I can do anything for you boys,” he said seriously, “don’t forget to call on me.”

“And when you want some good detective work done,” intervened Mr. Grey, “you call on them.”

The boys were beginning to feel uncomfortable. The government agent rose and approached them. “Well, boys,” he said, “it was a real pleasure to work with you.” He paused for a second, then added, “The only trouble of collaborating with you is that you do all the work and leave the other fellow nothing to do.”

There was laughter all around. Then Jack said, “Mr. Grey, you must not forget that we want to talk some things over with you. There are a couple of mysterious details that we think, you can clear up for us.”

The man bowed low and replied, “I am at your disposal, sir.”

“Perhaps you might visit us tonight at my house,” added Paul. “Then you could tell us everything.”

“That’s right,” nodded Ken. “How about it?”

“I shall be there at eight sharp, gentlemen.”

The boys smiled at the man’s behavior. He was really lots of fun. They said goodbye all around and left, accompanied by Walters.