It was then that Bob disobeyed his orders from the federal chief. Instead of summoning a taxi, he hastened back to the street where the attack had taken place. He wanted to be sure that his uncle had not been wounded and left there. When he arrived the police squad had completed its search. “Find anyone?” asked Bob anxiously. “Not even a good ghost,” grumbled one of the officers. “Say, that taxi’s a wreck.” But Bob had no time to waste in talk over a damaged taxi. He half ran and half walked to the nearest thoroughfare where he flagged a taxi and ordered the driver to take him to the Department of Justice building. On the way over, Bob reviewed the events of the night. With the disappearance of his uncle the case had deepened and he felt as though he was drifting in a sea of puzzling problems. On reaching the Department of Justice building, Bob went directly to the upper floor where the federal chief’s office was located. An agent, evidently watching for him, escorted him into the inner office and Bob’s eyes widened as he saw Condon Adams and Tully Ross seated beside Waldo Edgar’s desk. The federal chief rose as Bob came in. “Have a chair, Bob. We want to hear in detail everything that went on tonight. Now that your uncle has disappeared, you’ll have to work with Adams and Ross here on the case. I’m counting on you for a lot of good work.” Chapter XXIV A SOLITARY HAND ★ Bob, as he eased his weary body into a chair, looked at Condon Adams and Tully Ross. Both of them looked tired and worn and their faces reflected the strain they had been under since the escape of the prisoner from the police station. “Some more bungling, I expect,” snapped Condon Adams. The words were harsh and uncalled for, and Bob’s temper flared quickly. “If it was bungling, it wasn’t the first bit of it today,” he shot back at the older federal agent. Adams’ face flushed. He started to reply, then thought better of it, and remained silent. “I want to know everything in detail, Bob,” said the federal chief. “Just tell me all that happened this evening.” “We were eating dinner,” said Bob, “when I happened to put my hand in my coat pocket and I felt a paper in there. When I pulled it out and discovered what it was, I was dumfounded.” “Dumb-bell!” The word was whispered, but everyone in the room heard it and Bob whirled toward Tully. “Another crack like that out of you and I’ll take you all apart,” he flared. “Calm down, boys,” said Waldo Edgar. “We’ve got to get facts and get them at once. A man’s life may be hanging in the balance. Go on Bob.” Bob went on to describe the start of their trip to the Department of Justice building. “We saw a car following us, but we were holding our own until we turned into a street where there was a lot of repair work going on. Our taxi driver tried to get through, but the cab became stalled and he took to his heels.”