ved of all
observers. Many remarks, pertinent and characteristic, were made
concerning them, and yet, seemingly unconscious that they were
attracting any attention at all, they moved along. Upon reaching the
platform they met a train that had just arrived from the city, and
boarded it to make the short run to the Island. And all the time they
maintained their frivolous demeanor, but four sharp eyes were on the
alert, and Oscar observed:

"They are swallowing the bait."

"Yes, we've got 'em."

It's strange, but about the same idea ran through the minds of the three
rogues. They had feared that their game might take a train to the city,
and when they saw them board the train bound for the Island the man who
had spotted the game said:

"What did I tell you, covies?"

"They are going to the beach."

"They are, dead sure."

"We are in luck."

"We are, you bet, and now I am going to prophesy again. That gal has got
a good thing. I tell you she will walk him away off down the beach. She
is bound to have those sparkles. She has her eye on them. Good enough; I
hope she'll get 'em, but she'll never wear 'em. No, no, it's I and you,
my covies, who will wear those sparkles. We covets them, we do, and we's
got to have 'em; yes, sir, we's got to have 'em, and we will."

Oscar saw the man get on a rear car, as intimated, and there was triumph
in his heart.

We will here explain the theory upon which the confederate detectives
were working. Wise had said that there was an organized gang, that the
scoundrels were practicing all manner of criminality, and he had
determined upon the link by link game--a good one--a search for clues.
One thief as a rule knows another thief, and so the linking of
acquaintance goes on until a rogue is struck who suggests a
participation. The rule does not always work, but generally it is a
success, and was likely to prove so in the "shadow" Oscar was working.
He knew he might get on to the trail of a dozen or more rogues before he
struck one that was a member of the secret criminal organization. He had
every reason to hope he would succeed.

The confederate detectives arrived at the Manhattan Beach Hotel, and as
our hero had resolved to move very slowly and take notes as he went
along he led Cad to a table and ordered a dinner, and during the meal
the same amusing farce was kept up, and the thieves passed and repassed
the table where their selected victims were seated.

"They are following d