18
As she started down the steps, Alec reached the bottom. Gazing around, he apparently caught sight of Lambert, for he glanced up at Daisy, gave her a brief wave, and strode off.
“Blast!” If she went down any faster, she would risk breaking her neck. What if she couldn’t find Alec in the maze of tunnels? She’d have to retire ignominiously to the hotel and wait to hear from him. No doubt he’d be delighted to have her well out of the affair.
Just when he seemed to have realized her pursuit of Pitt was worthwhile!
At the bottom, Daisy turned in the direction Alec had taken. She saw no sign of either him or Lambert. Ahead of her, gaped the mouths of several tunnels. A bewilderment of signs directed her steps, none of which helped as she didn’t understand them and didn’t know where she wanted to go, anyway.
Nor did she dare stand still, in case the fat woman above had summoned a policeman. What if she were arrested for attempted kidnapping and had to appeal to Sergeant Gilliganto vouch for her? Not only would it be horribly humiliating, but she’d miss the chase after Pitt.
She moved uncertainly towards the tunnels. Just as she reached the point where she would have to decide which way to go, and probably lose Alec and Lambert altogether, the latter appeared.
“This way, Mrs. Fletcher. Quick!”
“What’s happened?” Daisy asked, joining him and hurrying down a tunnel at his side.
Lambert blushed. “I guess it was my fault. I pulled my hat down at the front, like you told me not to, and turned my coat collar up. Pitt got kind of twitchy standing in line and kept looking around. I guess he noticed me watching him, and then next time he looked around, there I was watching him again.”
“With those glasses lurking between hat and collar, you must have been rather conspicuous.”
“I can’t take off my glasses. I can’t see a thing without them,” he reminded her anxiously.
“No, but with your collar down and your hat in a normal position—push it a bit further back and tilt it at a jaunty angle. That’s better.”
Lambert was dubious. “I’m not exactly a jaunty sort of person.”
“Pitt doesn’t know anything about your character. Think of it as a disguise.”
“Oh, a disguise! O.K. Mr. Fletcher took over tailing Pitt and sent me back to find you.”
“Where’s Pitt going?”
“The subway, I guess. I have to admit, I haven’t figured out their system. All the signs seem to be the names of companies, not where the trains are going.”
“No wonder I can’t make head or tail of them. I wonder whether Pitt can?”
“Gee, not likely. He’s a backwoodsman, isn’t he? Maybe he’s just chasing his nose.”
“I’m sure his aimwasto get back to his backwoods, but now he’s simply trying to escape us. You, anyway. With any luck, he hasn’t caught on yet to Alec and me.”
“Do you think I ought to quit?” Lambert asked wistfully.
“No! We need you. You’re the only one with official standing. But I thought you weren’t frightfully keen.”
“That was before. Look, there’s Mr. Fletcher.”
Alec was standing on the platform just beyond the barrier, facing their way. Seeing Daisy and Lambert, he gestured urgently. Daisy heard the rumble of an approaching train.
Hastily she and Lambert paid and passed through the barrier as brakes screeched.
“Don’t look to your right,” Alec muttered. “Head straight for the train, but don’t get on till I say.”
The train came to a halt. Doors opened. Alec glanced casually to his left, and then to his right, as if looking for an uncrowded carriage—not that much was visible through the filthy windows.
“Right-oh, he’s got in. Let’s go.”
The New York business day started early, in conformity with the motto “Time is Money.” At this time in the morning, the subway was well patronized but not crammed with passengers. They found three seats together, next to a door.
