“The Mikado’s messenger,” was the youth’s answer. “Hurry up and let me in; don’t go through all the usual foolishness.” “What does he bring?” the voice proceeded. “A watermelon,” was the youth’s reply. “Come on now, Jake, it’s only——” “Mention no names!” exclaimed the voice, seemingly in anger. “Remember your instructions.” The next instant the door opened, and the youth, pushing Jimmy in front of him, entered, when the portal was quickly shut. The man who had been at the slide locked and barred the door, and then followed the youth and Jimmy down a passage that led toward a room where a light glowed. “Who’s coming?” asked a voice from the room. “It’s me,” replied the youth. “Any luck?” “Sure; I’ve got the kid.” “No! Good for you, Peter!” and then, as the youth and Jimmy entered the room, a man, who seemed to be scrubbing his hands at a sink, looked up, and laughed. “Good enough, Peter,” he went on. “We’ll see what our friend Larry Dexter has to say now. He’ll sing a different tune, I guess.” “What you doing?” asked Peter Manton, for it was the old copy boy of the _Leader_ who had kidnapped Jimmy, and delivered him into the power of the gang. “Trying to get rid of that blue stuff on my hands,” was the man’s answer. “It sticks worse than a porous plaster. I’ll not dare to go out now, for that reporter, Newton, will have every detective in New York looking for me, and if they see my hands, even in gloves, they’ll nab me, and the game will be up.” “Do you think they’ll suspect you?” asked Peter. “Suspect? They probably know for a certainty that I’m mixed up in this. Those reporters are no fools. They’re better than half the detectives.” “Will they suspect me?” asked Peter, with something like a whimper in his voice. “Of course, and if they get us you’ll have to take your medicine with the rest.” “You said you’d protect me,” said Peter. “So I will as much as I can,” replied the blue-handed man, “but I can’t fight the whole police force. I’ve done pretty well as it is.” “I want the steam-engine and the kite,” said Jimmy, his voice trembling. “I want to go home! I want Larry!” “We must keep him quiet,” the blue-handed man said. “Give him something to eat, and get out some kind of Chinese toys. He’ll be asleep pretty soon, if I’m any judge.” CHAPTER XXX JIMMY HELD CAPTIVE Jimmy was ready to burst into tears. He had kept his courage up under the strangeness of being taken away from Larry, by the promise of the animals first, then the steam-engine, and next the kite. When none of these was forthcoming, the boy felt that he had been fooled, and this made him feel badly. Then, too, he was really frightened by the darkness and the strange man and place to which he had been brought. “Here, kid!” called Peter, after rummaging in a closet, “here’s a fine jumping-jack,” and he gave Jimmy a Chinese toy.