Only one thing saved Old King Brady from an awful death.  
The impetus given by the push was exceedingly fierce.
 
An ordinary shove would have dropped anyone right under the onrushing wheels.
 
But the force of the push sent the old detective far out into the air. He struck the further rail and the locomotive just brushed his body as it rolled over upon the next track.
 
It was a fearful fall, however, and for a moment stunned the old detective.
 
He lay half senseless upon the middle track.
 
Luckily no train was approaching for it was not the time of day for the expresses which used this track.
 
A great shriek of horror went up from the spectators.
 
Women fainted, men turned sick and all was fearful excitement.
 
Harry was so horror-struck and dazed that he allowed the assailant to vanish.
 
When he found that his partner had escaped death, he turned to look for the perpetrator of the deed.
 
But it was too late.
 
He was gone.
 
Meanwhile, the train guards and policemen had climbed down to give assistance to the detective.
 
But though badly shaken, Old King Brady recovered and got upon his feet.
 
He was assisted back to the platform and the train went on.
 
The police, learning who he was, asked no questions. The Bradys, it is needless to say, were on the qui vive.
 
“Did you see the fellow?” asked Old King Brady.
 
“No,” replied Harry. “He got away too quick.”
 
“I have no doubt it was one of the trio.”
 
“Oh, certainly!”
 
“That was a close call, Harry.”
 
“I should say so.”
 
“To think he was so near us and we did not know it. I fear we have lost ground, my boy.”
 
“We are the shadowed!”
 
“Just so.”
 
“Well,” said the young detective, resolutely, “we’ve got to rig a trap for those fellows. If we don’t they’ll finish us.”
 
“You are right!”
 
“What can we do?”
 
“I have an idea!”
 
“What is it?”
 
Old King Brady was thoughtful. They had decided not to take the train and had left the elevated station.
 
They were walking down a part of Columbus avenue. The elevated trains thundered along overhead.
 
But before Old King Brady could elucidate his plan, exciting incidents came along in quick order.
 
Harry suddenly ejaculated:
 
“There is our man!”
 
He clutched Old King Brady’s arm and drew him back into a doorway.
 
Standing before the door of a liquor saloon on the opposite side of the street, sure enough, was Dan Collins.
 
He wore the same slouch hat and it was beyond doubt that he was the villain who had pushed Old King Brady off the platform.
 
The two detectives gazed at him for a moment intently.
 
Then Harry whispered:
 
“It’s no use!”
 
“What?”
 
“He is onto us! He knows we are watching him.”
 
“Do you think so?”
 
“Sure!”
 
Old King Brady changed his position slightly.
 
Then he gave a start.
 
“By the great horn spoon!” he exclaimed. “They are all around us!”
 
Harry followed his gaze and saw his meaning.
 
On the opposite corner stood Martin Van. The crook seemed utterly oblivious of the presence of the detectives.
 
But the Bradys knew better.
 
They were sure that the villain knew of their presence.
 
“We will test it,” said Old King Brady, after some discussion.
 
The old detective left the doorway and leisurely sauntered toward the corner.
 
Instantly Van, who appeared to be studying something in his hand, began also to change his position.
 
“Ah! That is it!” thought the old detective. “He can see me plainly enough from the little mirror he carries in his hand.”
 
Very swiftly the old detective revolved a plan of action in his head.
 
He acted with great suddenness.
 
As he slowly approached, Van moved as slowly away.
 
This was irritating to the old detective.
 
Suddenly he made a panther-like leap forward.
 
So swift was his action that the villain was taken off his guard.
 
Old King Brady actually succeeded in getting hold of his arm.
 
A hissing curse broke from Van’s lips.
 
He aimed a murderous blow at Old King Brady.
 
But the old detective dodged it.
 
He would have had his man then and there but for an unlooked-for incident.
 
27
............