The Mystery of the Merry Magician (6 page)

“You don’t think so now?” Gully asked.

“No,” Ryan shook his head. “Sounds like hammering. Rats don’t use hammers.”

“Could we see the pier?” Gully asked.

“Nothing to see except empty space.” Ryan stepped aside to let them pass through the narrow doorway. He followed them in. “Cargo won’t be arriving for another day or so.”

“Is it all right for us to walk in?”

“Sure, but be careful. The old planks they took out are still lying around. Don’t trip over them.”

“Thanks, Mr. Ryan.”

Gully walked in, his footsteps sounding hollowly on the heavy wooden flooring. Behind him trailed Fisty and Peggy. It was a vast warehouse, dimly lighted by several large, unshaded bulbs hanging high overhead. The place was full of echoes and strange sounds.

Halfway down the dock, old planking had been ripped out and a square of fresh flooring had been put in. Beams and scraps of wood lay scattered about.

At both sides of the warehouse large, sliding doors stood wide open and Gully could see the dark waters outside. He walked to the nearest opening and looked out.

“Why are the sides open?” he asked as his two friends came up to him. He stared across the water between the two piers at Captain Foster’s barge, black and silent in the moonlight.

“To sling the cargo from the pier to the ship,” Fisty explained. He cocked his head to one side, listening. “I hear the noise now. It’s louder here than on the barge.”

Gully nodded, then dropped to his knees and placed his ear to the wooden floor of the dock.

“Very loud,” he whispered. “Almost like it
was
right under us.

He went to the edge and peered at the water.

“There’s a wooden ladder on the other side,” Fisty said. “Nailed to one of the pilings. We can climb down and look under the dock.”

“Mr. Ryan already did that,” Peggy said, a little uneasy. “He didn’t find anything.”

“I’ve got to look for myself,” Gully said. He crossed the dock. “Where is the ladder?” he asked Fisty who had stayed close at his side.

“Somewhere over here.”

Peggy joined the two boys. “I don’t see anything …”

Suddenly she gasped, choking a frightened cry that escaped her lips.

“What’s the matter?” Gully glanced quickly at the girl.

Her eyes wide with horror, Peggy pointed, unable to say a word.

Gully turned to look.

Something was slithering through the water. Something black and shiny, and weirdly quiet. For a moment it remained on the surface.

Then silently it sank down into the water.

G
ULLY
’
S
scalp crawled and his stomach became an icy knot. He held his breath as he leaned over the edge of the dock, peering into the darkness, expecting the black, glistening shape to reappear.

But nothing was visible except the glitter of reflected moonlight and a few air bubbles rising soundlessly to the surface.

Beside him Peggy whispered, “What … what was it?”

In a tense voice, Fisty answered, “The same thing I saw through the window of Sandro’s house! The monster from space!”

Behind them came the thud of running feet and a moment later Ryan joined them.

“What happened?” the night watchman asked. “I heard a scream.”

“Something in the water,” Peggy said. “I was frightened.”

“A black thing? Shiny? Like a seal?”

Gully turned. “Then you’ve seen it!”

Ryan ran his hand over his eyes. “Only for a second. I sort of figured it was just my imagination. Alone here all night and the moonlight queer on the water—a man can see many things that aren’t there.”

“It
was
there, Mr. Ryan. We all saw it.”

“And that’s a fact for Gully’s notebook, that is!” said Fisty.

“I’m going to keep my eyes open a lot more than I’ve been doing,” Ryan said. “If there’s something going on here, I mean to find out.”

“And if you do find out something?” Gully asked.

“Why, I’ll report it to the police.”

The watchman motioned back toward the gate and turned. They followed him.

“It’s late. Half the night’s gone,” Ryan said as he let them out into the street.

They said, “Good night, Mr. Ryan.”

“Good night.”

Vague fears seemed to hang over them as they walked back to the barge. They parted at the door of the deckhouse, Peggy slipping down below to her cabin, and Gully and Fisty silently getting under their blankets.

It was a long time before Gully finally fell asleep. All the facts he had collected until that moment were spinning and turning around in his mind.

He could imagine Ellery Queen listening to his story and smiling and saying to him, “New York is a big city. Millions of people live here and each of them is doing something. You only see little bits of what they do, not the whole thing. And these pieces of information may seem strange and mysterious only because you don’t know everything. …”

Yes, Gully thought, that’s just what Uncle Ellery will say. And before he fell asleep, he determined to have a complete story for Ellery Queen.

Fisty was up first in the morning and the slight sounds he made as he moved about, folding his blankets, awakened Gully.

“Go back to sleep, Gully. I have to go to work, you know.”

Gully sat up. “When will you be back?”

The sky was grey with the first light of dawn. The sun was rising somewhere on the other side of Manhattan, hidden by the forest of huge buildings.

“I finish about twelve. You going to be here when I return?”

“I’d like to stay another night, maybe two.”

“Ask Peggy. I’m pretty sure they’d like to have you.”

“I will. But I’ve got to ask my grandfather first.”

“Okay. See you later.”

With a casual wave of his hand, Fisty stepped to the dock and was gone in the gray light. Gully remained seated for a few minutes, then took out his notebook and began to write down the events of the previous night.

He was still writing when he became aware of the sharp smell of bacon frying. He looked up and there was Peggy standing just outside the deckhouse and looking down at him, a mischievous smile on her face.

“Oh! Good morning, Peggy.”

“Ready for breakfast?”

Gully jumped to his feet. “Im so hungry I could eat a bear …”

“When you’re on water, you say you can eat a whale,” the girl laughed.

“I’ll eat a whale, then.”

“There’s a folding table and chairs inside the deckhouse,” said Peggy. “Set them out on deck. We’ll eat outdoors this morning.”

She turned and went below. By the time Gully had the table ready, Peggy returned bringing a large tray with a platter of fried eggs, crisp bacon, milk and a heap of hot buns. Behind her came Captain Foster, carrying a pot of coffee.

“We’re in for a spell of hot weather,” the captain said, eyeing the dull gray sky as they sat down. “Hope we get the barge loaded and sail up river soon.”

They ate, watching the waterfront around them come to life. On the river, tugboats began to appear, pulling heavily loaded barges behind them. A freighter slipped down stream, heading out toward the open sea. Trucks rolled along West Street. Groups of longshoremen walked by, going to work on the other piers.

“I love the waterfront early in the morning,” Peggy said. “It smells so clean and fresh. Later it gets hot and dusty and full of gasoline fumes.”

They had finished their meal and were sitting quietly, enjoying the fresh breeze coming across the river when a car pulled to a stop at the foot of the pier.

“Visitors,” Captain Foster nodded, taking out his black pipe and pointing. “For you, Gully.”

Inspector Queen and Sergeant Velie stepped out of the car. They glanced about them curiously, then approached the barge. Captain Foster rose to his feet and waited for the two men to come aboard.

“You haven’t changed a bit,” he said, shaking hands with them.

“Nor you, you old fire-eater,” Inspector Queen laughed. “My grandson give you any trouble?”

“Not a bit.” Captain Foster introduced Peggy, then added, “We won’t mind having Gully aboard until we sail up river.”

“How did you like it?” Inspector Queen looked at his lanky grandson.

“What do you mean how’d he like it?” Velie grunted. “Any boy would like sleeping out in the open. I remember when I was a kid …”

“No ancient history, Velie.”

The big sergeant grinned sheepishly. “I guess you have heard my stories before.”

“A hundred times.”

“Grandpa, I’d like to stay here again tonight,” Gully said.

“Well, I don’t know …” The Inspector was doubtful.

“Say yes, Inspector. Please,” Peggy pleaded.

“I wouldn’t want Gulliver to be any bother to you …”

“He’s no bother,” Captain Foster said.

“Well-all right.”

“Gee! Thanks, grandpa! I’ll be able to get more facts for Uncle Ellery …”

“If it keeps you busy, go right ahead, son.” Inspector Queen turned to Captain Foster. “We have to get to headquarters. Just dropped by to see how Gully was getting along, and say hello to you.”

“Can you give me a lift? I’m going to the barge company’s office to check our next cargo.”

“Sure, skipper. Come along.”

“Be ready in a moment.” Captain Foster went below.

“How do you like living on the river?” Inspector Queen asked Peggy.

“Very much. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my summer vacation.”

Gully pulled Velie to one side while his grandfather talked with Peggy.

“I need a favor, Sergeant.”

“Oho! What’s on your mind?”

“Some information about the buildings across the street. The one rented by the Sandro Export Company. This man Sandro wants to make Mr. Merlin move and take the building for himself. The two buildings are right next to each other.”

Velie scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t see how he can do that, not if this Mr. Merlin has a lease on the place.”

“Can you find out for me? Maybe there’s something in the lease—”

“I can phone the owners of the building and ask,” Velie said. “They just might tell me to mind my own business … or give me the information. I’ll see.”

“Thanks, Sergeant.”

Captain Foster came up from below, carrying a heavy brief case. “I’m ready,” he said.

“Take care, Gulliver. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Inspector Queen called as the three men stepped to the dock and hurried away.

Peggy stacked the breakfast dishes. “I’ve some chores to do.”

“Let me help, Peggy.”

“I expect you to,” the girl replied quickly. “Will you wash the dishes? I’ll make up the bunks and mop the deck below.”

“Fine with me.”

The living quarters below were small but had a cozy air about them. The galley into which Gully carried the dishes was located at the end of a narrow passageway. Besides a sink, it had a stove and a small refrigerator. On either side of the passage were the two tiny cabins occupied by Peggy and Captain Foster.

The time passed quickly and pleasantly. Peggy sang as she worked. Gully hummed softly and was surprised to find that washing dishes—even a greasy frying pan—could be a pleasing task. Less than an hour later the place below was clean.

“I’ll just do the deckhouse,” Peggy said as they went up the companionway. “Dust always manages to get in.”

“I’ll help and we’ll both be free sooner.”

“You’ve done enough,” Peggy said. She glanced through the little window of the deckhouse. “Besides, someone is coming. And I think it’s your magician friend.”

Mr. Merlin, with Banjo leaping and scampering about him, was crossing the dock. He saw Gully as the boy poked his head out of the deckhouse, and waved to him.

“Gully! What are you doing here so early in the morning?”

“Good morning, Mr. Merlin. I slept here on the barge.”

“Indeed?” The little magician looked at him curiously.

Gully jumped to the dock and bending down, patted Banjo. The little dog skipped about him, wagging its tail.

“He recognizes me.”

“Certainly,” Merlin said, proudly. “Banjo never forgets a friend.”

“I’m glad.”

“I don’t forget either. And I keep my promises. I promised you ice cream yesterday, then left you very abruptly.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Well, a promise is a promise.” Mr. Merlin raised both his hands above his head. “Look carefully. Nothing in my sleeves …”

“Wait,” Gully stopped him, laughing. “You also promised no tricks with the ice cream.”

“So I did,” the magician said, disappointed. “Come to my house for the ice cream now.”

“I’d rather wait until Fisty gets here, Mr. Merlin,” Gully said. “And I’d like to invite Peggy …”

“Is this Peggy? By all means I Well have ourselves a party. No grownups, just us, eh?” He turned and started away from them at a queer little trot, then stopped and came back. “You didn’t see that man? Or anything unusual during the night, did you?”

“Not that gaunt man, no,” Gully said, frowning as he suddenly recalled the events of the night.

Merlin’s sharp little eyes caught the hesitation in Gully’s manner.

“Ah! Dear me! Your voice tells me you did see something.”

“Yes,” and Gully quickly told him what had happened, ending with Mr. Ryan’s promise to keep a careful watch on the place.

“Dear me! Dear me!” Mr. Merlin wagged his head worriedly. “It’s dangerous at night. You shouldn’t be out on the docks.”

“We didn’t think of any danger. Just wanted to find out about the noise,” Gully said, shrugging his shoulders. “Mr. Ryan will report to the police if he finds anything suspicious.”

“A very good idea,” Mr. Merlin agreed. “Now, I’m expecting the truck to bring more of my tools and things, so I must run along. Come, Banjo!”

He snapped his fingers and hurried toward the street. Banjo barked at Gully, wagged his tail, then scampered after his master.

Gully watched the magician dodge and dart through the traffic, while horns blared and brakes screeched and truck drivers shouted angrily at him.

He made it safely to the elevated highway and disappeared in the shadows beneath the structure.

Peggy squinted after him. “Your magician friend seems like a jolly little man.”