pipe,
"and asked if there was a drug store ahead in this part of the town. I
told him he'd find one on the next block, around the next corner to the
left. So----"

"Thank you!" came politely from three breathless boys, and off they
started again on a trot.

"Any one sick?" called the man after them. "Huh! Curious how excited
those boys are!"

"Two minutes! I'm afraid horses will leave us far behind with that
start," groaned Dick.

Then they turned around the corner. Ahead of them, in front of the
little drug store, or rather, just past the entrance, stood the cab that
occupied all their thoughts at the present time.

"There it is!" breathed Dick excitedly, as though forgetful of the fact
that his chums had eyes also. "Come along--over on the other side of the
street--in the dark."

In a twinkling all three lads had crossed stealthily to the further side
of the little street.

"Oh, for a policeman!" appealed Dick. "Or any full-grown man, who would
listen to us and have the grit to give us a strong hand."

"If Dexter has the little girl, and that's his cab, what has he taken
her into a drug store for?" whispered Dave.

"We don't know that he has taken her into the store. We don't know
anything until we see it," was Dick's answer. "Dexter didn't stop for a
trifle. He isn't buying Myra a glass of soda, or anything like that."

The three boys were stealing down the street, on the further side,
keeping close in the shadow of the buildings. They did not wish to risk
being seen until they had had a chance for a good look at the cab and
its possible contents.

Dick's reason for crossing the street had been that he had first caught
sight of the driver standing on the sidewalk beside the cab. If he could
get down close to the cab, and have that vehicle between himself and the
driver, Dick hoped that he would have a chance to steal across the
street and look inside the rig.

By good luck, combined with stealth, Dick, Dave and Greg succeeded in
gaining a point on the street opposite the cab.

"Careful, now," whispered Dick, "one bad move might spoil everything."

On tip-toe they crossed. At a point midway in the street they halted a
brief instant. From this point they could make out the unmistakable form
of Ab. Dexter at the back of the drug store, walking to and fro as if
waiting for something.

No word was spoken. Still on tip-toe the boys went on until they stood
by one of the doors of the cab.

Dave and Gr