ers?"

"Nothing at all, except that he knew somehow that I was working on the
express-robbery cases, and yesterday he shadowed my partner and me to
East St. Louis, where we left him behind in an automobile."

Ted then told the chief how he had come about taking possession of the
red car, to which Desmond listened carefully. When Ted had finished,
Desmond rose and paced the room for a minute.

"Young man, you've got the big end of the chase," he said. "Dude Wilcox
is the man who we are positive killed the messenger and got away with
the swag. If it were you who found out how he got away with it, you will
have got the last of the gang."

"Is that all there is to it?" asked Ted.

"Lord bless you, no. That's only the bunch that has been working in St.
Louis. The big end of it is operating from some town farther west.
There's where Dude Wilcox came from. I don't know where they make their
headquarters, and it is out of my territory. I have all I can do to take
care of St. Louis."

"The government officers were of the opinion that St. Louis was
headquarters."

"That was true up to a few weeks ago, but we made it so hot for them
here that they emigrated."

"Well, there's no use in my staying here any longer. I might as well
hike out west. I'm not much good in a big town, anyway. I suppose you'll
have no trouble in handling Checkers without any word from me."

"Oh, yes. But let's have Checkers up and hear what he has to say for
himself."

The chief pushed a button and presently an officer entered.

"Go down to the hold-over and bring Checkers to me," ordered the chief.

In less than ten minutes the officer was back again.

"The jailer says he has no such man, chief," was the report.

"Where is he?"

"I'll inquire."

Back he came in a few minutes.

"Casey had him on the corner waiting for the wagon, sir, but in the
excitement during the fight Casey let go of Checkers for a moment, and
he got away."

Ted could see that the chief was very angry, but he controlled his
temper admirably.

"Very well," was all he said.

He turned and gave Ted a sharp look.

"If you stay around here much longer, you'll have to look out for
Checkers. He's a dangerous man, as well with a knife as with a gun."

"I guess I can take care of him," answered Ted.

"You look as if you could, lad," said the chief.

After a few more minutes of conversation regarding the red motor car,
during which the chief advised Ted to keep the