him. He leaped silently at the Wolf. There was a sudden flash
of steel, and the Weasel turned with a spring, whirled, and went
down in a heap. The Wolf, almost before he touched the ground,
tightened his grasp on Asa, and dodged back into the park.
Rapidly, through paths that seemed familiar, he gained another
entrance, and emerged on a quiet street. Down this street he
hurried the exhausted boy, turned suddenly into a basement where
it was pitch dark, and rapped on the door. It was a peculiar
rap, and reminded Asa of telegraphy. In a moment the door swung
open, they entered, the Wolf fastened the door behind him, and
for the first time since he caught Asa, he let go of his
shoulder. He struck a match and let the blaze shine in his face.
There was a queer grunt in the darkness. Without speaking, the
Wolf clutched the boy once more, and led him up three flights of
carpeted stairs, and into a huge room lighted by a couple of
candles. It was the Wolf's den.

He flung Asa into a big, ragged chair, and, throwing his goggles
and hat on the table, sat down opposite Asa, and lighted a
cigarette. Then, reaching under the table, he pulled out a big
square box on rollers, and unlocked it with a key which he wore
on his watch chain. He took out a bottle and glass. Pouring a
full portion, he drained it at a gulp. Another and another glass
he emptied. The fiery liquid went to his head. A new look came
over his face.

"I've got you, haven't I," he demanded of the boy. "I've got
you, and this time I'm going to keep you!" He took another
drink.