The Ruby Ray Mystery Read online

  His pal’s voice sounded faint in the earphone. “Here. Our man is having breakfast in the hotel dining room.You through?”

  “I’m leaving now. See you after I pick up some fresh batteries.”

  “Okay.”

  Rick restored the unit to his pocket. Actually, he could have carried on the conversation without removing it, but he was proud of the little transceivers and he wanted Thomas to see it.

  The agent nodded appreciatively.“Very neat. I assumed you were wearing a hearing aid.

  Are these sets official equipment?”

  “No, sir.We made them ourselves.”

  “Wish you’d make me a set. Ours are a little clumsier than that.” Thomas held out his hand. “Good hunting. If you need anything else, just call.”

  Rick thanked him and left. He picked up a taxi in front of the embassy. He felt fine. As Scotty had said, he was never happier than when working on a mystery of some kind. He knew perfectly well he was a long way from being a full-fledged detective or an intelligence agent, and he didn’t want to be either one of these, anyway-he wanted to be a scientist like his father. But he also knew that Steve Ames trusted him and Scotty, and depended on them to carry out their assignments.Being assigned to trail a scientist in a foreign country appealed to his romantic side.

  He had the taxi drop him at the corner ofHerholdtsgade andNyropsgade , only a block from the hotel. He went into an electronics shop where he lingered for a few minutes over some very fine tape recorders of German and Swiss make, then bought batteries for the Megabuck units. Then he walked back to the hotel.

  Keller had gone back to his room, and Scotty was in the lobby. The boys put the batteries in the units, then waited together until nearly time for the morning session.

  When Keller reappeared, they followed him to the Institute and took seats while he joined the scientists who were to deliver papers that morning.

  The American doctor’s paper, illustrated by slides, was interesting. He described a technique for using a ruby laser that emitted a beam, smaller in diameter than a needle tip, as a surgical knife andcautery combined. The technique was particularly valuable in the repair of aneurysms in arteries. He showed slides of the instruments being used in repairing an aorta, one of the main arteries of the body.

  Rick didn’t get all of it, but he knew enough about physiology to understand that Dr.

  Keller’s technique allowed the operator to perform surgery of great precision in very confined and difficult areas.

  Dr. Keller had brought with him a large-scale model of a ruby laser for demonstration.

  From a distance of about fifty feet he projected onto the screen on the stage a sharply focused beam of ruby light. The model equipment filled a large case, and the ruby laser was larger in diameter than a heavy broomstick. Then, for contrast, he showed the surgical instrument. The power supply was about the size of a cigar box, and the ruby laser was contained in a tube no larger than a fountain pen.

  The applause was heavy and prolonged. No doubt of it, Keller had something

  impressive.

  After answering a number of questions, Keller packed up his equipment and stepped down from the stage. He walked to the back of the auditorium, carrying his case, pausing now and then to exchange a word with a colleague, or to accept congratulations.

  When the scientist entered the anteroom, Rick and Scotty were waiting behind a convenient hat rack.

  Keller hailed a taxi and directed the driver to the hotel. The boys, within earshot, caught the next taxi and followed.

  “Wonder why he’s leaving the session?” Scotty asked. “Wouldn’t it be more normal for him to remain and hear the other papers?”

  “Absolutely.He has something on his mind. We’d better stick close.”

  At the hotel Keller talked with the porter briefly and handed him the demonstration case. Then he paid his bill and hurried to the elevators.

  “Make a run for it,” Rick said quickly. “Pack for us. He’s checking out. Use the knapsacks. You know what I’d pack. I’ll check us out and arrange for the rest of our bags to be taken to Dad’s room.”

  Scotty hurried off. Rick asked for their bill and paid it. He told the porter they were leaving bags in their room, which were to be delivered to Dr. Hartson Brant’s room. He got paper and envelope and quickly scribbled a note to his father, explaining that Keller was apparently leaving, and they were sticking with him.

  By the time he had finished, Scotty was back. He had two knapsacks of the kind used by European schoolboys for carrying lunches and books. The boys had purchased the knapsacks for their own use at home because they were practical and easier to carry than a bag or briefcase.

  “The porter took Keller’s case into the other room,” Rick reported. “That means Keller isn’t taking it with him. But I doubt that he’d be separated from it for long. What do you think?”

  Scotty shook his head. “The way he handled it on the stage, you’d think it was a new baby. I don’t think he’d leave it. Does that mean he’s not going?”

  Keller, carrying an overnight bag, appeared as the elevator opened. He went to the porter’s desk, turned the bag over to the porter,then headed for the front exit.

  “He’s going somewhere,” Rick said swiftly. “Look, you stick with him. I’ll stick with his luggage. We can keep in touch by Megabuck, just in case he’s pulling a trick of some kind.”

  “Okay. Here, take your knapsack.”

  The boys had been careful to remain out of sight, behind a display stand of Danish wood carvings. Rick took the knapsack and pushed through a door leading to the hotel dining room. Scotty went in the other direction, hurrying through the front door to the street, well ahead of Keller. Rick knew that Scotty would manage to keep out of sight and step into a convenient doorway, and pick up Keller the moment Keller emerged.

  Through the glass dining-room door, Rick watched Keller for a few moments as he walked to the front of the hotel. Then, moving cautiously, Rick followed him into the street. Keller had turned right and was walking briskly up the street.A moment later Scotty appeared, on the other side of the street. Rick watched Keller, trailed by Scotty, turn the corner in front of the railroad station. Then he went back into the main lobby,

  bought a copy of the overseas edition of The New York Times, and settled down on a bench from which he could keep an eye on Keller’s demonstration case and bag. He hoped it wouldn’t be a long wait; he didn’t care much for long waits. But his pal Scotty was on the move. He wondered how Scotty was making out.

  CHAPTER III

  GardenofPleasure

  Scotty watched Dr. Keller cross the street in front of the railroad station, turn left, and walk to the front of the airline terminal building. Keller stopped in the doorway and surveyed the street, paying particular attention to the way he had come.

  Scotty had taken up a position at the kiosk in front of the railroad station, concealed from Keller’s view by a group of schoolgirls. Scotty waited until Keller was apparently satisfied that no one was showing undue interest in him. The tall scientist walked around the corner intoVesterbrogade , while Scotty hurried across to the corner opposite and watched the long-legged American hurry toward the entrance toTivoliGardens , one of the famous places ofEurope . The boys had visitedTivoli on their first day inCopenhagen

  , so Scotty was on familiar ground. He knew that the combination ofa public park-with woods and ponds, a number of excellent restaurants around its outer rim, an outdoor theater, scenic rides throughout the park on tiny trains, stagecoaches, or horseback-and a large amusement-park area would offer plenty of places for Keller to meet someone.

  Scotty saw that Keller was keeping an eye out for a possible follower, and kept his position on the opposite side of the street, almost abreast of the doctor.

  The American went through theTivoli gate and Scotty hurried after him. Scotty paid hiskroner and went in behind a huge German tourist and his well-fed family. Keller headed for the amusement-par
k area, a street of rides, arcades, and the Danish equivalent of hot-dog stands.

  Rick’s voice came through Scotty’s earphone. “Scotty, the porter just put Keller’s luggage in a taxi and told the driver to take it to the airport. I’m following.”

  Scotty moved into the shadow of a building. “Okay, Rick. I’m inTivoli . Keller is worried about being followed.”

  “Roger. Keep in touch.”

  “Okay.”

  Keller stopped in front of a ride and glanced around; then he drew coins from his pocket and bought a ticket. Scotty watched from a safe place, wondering. He couldn’t tell the name of the ride, which was in Danish, but he recognized the type. The rider got into a chair for two, which traveled on a track. The chair lumbered through double doors and disappeared into the building. Scotty gathered from the signs that it was a chamber of horrors of some kind.

  The building had a balcony. As Scotty watched, a chair carrying two screaming kids came out of doors, crossed the balcony, and moved slowly through doors on the other side.

  Keller went up the ramp and got into a chair. Scotty noted it was decorated with dragons, and had number 15 in gold on the side. Keller’s chair moved off, and disappeared through the double doors.

  Scotty shook his head in bewilderment. He could see why Keller might come intoTivoli

  . It would be a good place to meet someone. But why take a ride in a chamber of horrors? The tall American surgeon didn’t seem the type who would do it for fun-at least not alone.

  The minutes ticked by. Scotty watched chairs cross the balcony and disappear through opposite doors. The chairs were filled mostly with yelling youngsters. Suddenly the boy stiffened and ran for the entrance. Chair 15 had just appeared-and it was empty.

  Scotty thrust money at the ticket seller, took his ticket, and hurried up the ramp. He handed the ticket to the attendant and got into the chair. What was going on? Why had Keller gotten out of the chair?

  The chair started moving and pushed through the double doors. Scotty found himself in darkness. The chair lurched along, turned a corner, and pushed through another pair of doors into a chamber lighted with lurid fluorescent red light. A pair of devils lunged at him with pitchforks. Something gibbered and screamed in the background. The chair turned sharply and climbed into what seemed to be roaring flames. Suddenly the lights went out and he was in darkness again.

  The chair continued on its track, climbing sharply. Now and then some horrible figure was illuminated briefly-a man jerking on the end of a rope; a headsman dropping a huge ax on the neck of a screaming victim-then darkness again. The chair pushed through more doors and entered a large chamber filled with greenish ghosts that reached out as if to grab him.

  Suddenly a dark figure lunged across the room, hands outstretched. The hands grabbed for him.

  Scotty let out an involuntary yell as a powerful pair of arms jerked him from the chair.

  He landed sprawled, and instantly rolled over and away. The moment of surprised shock was gone, and he was in full possession of his senses. Someone had seen him following Keller, and was waiting for him!

  The greenish glow from the gibbering ghosts gave him enough light to see the dark figure dive for him. Scotty reached up, grabbed, and thrust upward with his feet. He felt the impact of a heavy body on his feet, and felt the roughness of cloth in his hands. He put all his weight into a throw and the man sailed over his head and smashed into one of the ghosts. The figure collapsed amid sounds of splintering wood and ripping canvas.

  Scotty jumped to his feet and got set. The dark figure struggled up and came at him again.

  It wasn’t Keller. The American wasn’t short and wide. Keller wouldn’t have something metallic in his hand, with green light glinting from the blade.

  Scotty reacted.When someone comes at you with a knife, that’s no time to fight by the Marquis of Queensbury rules. The boy slipped off his knapsack and threw it at the man’s face, then as the figure recoiled, he stepped in and lifted his foot in the savate, the French blow with the foot. His heel caught the attacker under the chin, lifted him,threw him backwards into the wall of ghosts. Again there were the sounds of splintering wood. This time the figure collapsed in a heap and didn’t move.

  Scotty jumped forward and grabbed for his knapsack. Whoever the attacker was, he would be out for a long time.

  Where was Keller? Scotty searched quickly. There was no one else in the chamber.

  Wherever the scientist had gone, he was no longer here. The question now was how to get out. Scotty had no desire to try to follow the chair track. There were too many chances of crossing an electric line and getting killed.

  A rumble warned him that another chair was coming. He’d have to ride it, occupant or no, or he’d never find his way out. He put his knapsack on and waited.

  The chair lumbered through the doors, carrying two girls who screamed at the sight of the remaining ghosts. Scotty stepped to the chair side and said pleasantly, “Excuse me,may I ride with you?”

  The screams went up several octaves and increased in volume. He stepped on the side of the chair and held on. “It’s all right,” he shouted. “I won’t hurt you.

  The chair crossed the chamber and pushed through double doors that almost brushed him off. The screams went up almost out of audible range. A handbag crashed across the side of his head.

  “Don’t,” he protested. “I won’t hurt you.” He thought, “Never again will I take a ride like this!” An elbow smashed into his stomach and the handbag caught him across the face. It hurt. He held on like grim death as the chair lurched along on the track.

  The chair bumped into double doors and light flooded in. They had reached the balcony! Scotty waited only long enough to clear the doors, then called, “Thanks for the ride!” He didn’t stand on ceremony. He went over the balcony and dropped lightly to the ground in the midst of an amazed group of tourists. This was no time to linger. He threaded his way through the crowd and hurried into the safety of a comfort station.

  Once inside, he took a few deep breaths. He had to grin. Those poor girls probably would never recover. At least they would have something to tell their friends.

  He took his Megabuck unit and held it to his lips. “Rick, where are you?”

  Rick’s voice was very faint in the earphone, and it was obvious he was talking to someone else. “How far is it to the airport, driver?”

  That was the clue Scotty needed. “Okay, Rick. I’ve lost Keller. I’ll follow you to the airport.”

  “Fine,” Rick said. “It’s a pleasant ride.” Scotty knew his pal was talking to the taxi driver and to him at the same time.

  “Got it,” he said.

  A quick survey ofTivoli showed no sign of the American. Scotty hitched his knapsack higher on his shoulders and headed for a gate. It was perfectly clear what had happened.

  Keller was involved in something, with someone. That someone had wanted to make sure Keller was not being tailed, and had instructed him to go toTivoli and take that particular ride.

  Very probably Keller’s contact had spotted Scotty, and had put the plan into effect.

  Keller had gotten out of the chair and had left the ride on foot through one of the passages used by the maintenance men. The contact had waited, to take Scotty out of action.

  The unknown person had apparently been thoroughly familiar with the ride. It might be possible to get some information by talking with the ride operators. But Scotty shook his head. That could wait. The important thing now was to find Keller again. The laser demonstration case was the ace in the hole.

  It didn’t seem logical that Keller would leave the laser behind. It was the only one of its kind, and too valuable to leave among strangers.

  Scotty grinned. Rick would stick to the luggage like glue. If Keller rejoined his demonstration outfit, they would have him again. If he didn’t. . .

  CHAPTER IV

  Three Tickets toParis

  Rick Brant was worried. He didn’t blame Scot
ty for losing Keller. Of course he didn’t know how it had happened. But he knew Scotty’s skill as a tracker, and realized something unusual had taken place. What, though, if Keller didn’t rejoin his bag and demonstration case? Suppose he was carrying out some plan Steve Ames would want to know about, and planned to pick up the luggage after it was all over?

  Rick had instructed his taxi driver to hurry. Luckily the driver had passed the taxi carrying the demonstration case and bag, so Rick was waiting when the driver with the luggage arrived. He saw the luggage turned over to an attendant, who carried it to the Air France ticket counter.

  The Air France employee accepted the bag and case and placed them behind the counter, first tagging them. Rick would have given much to see the tags, but when he sauntered over, one tag was out of sight and the other was facing the wrong way. He retired to a corner of the main floor and worked out a plan of action.

  Keller would arrive at street level, check in at the Air France counter, and get his ticket or have it stamped. The luggage would be checked through.

  Keller would then go up the flight of stairs to the balcony, pay his airport tax, and then enter through passport control to the main waiting room.

  Rick decided that if he could be on the balcony when Keller arrived, he would see Keller’s every action ... if only he had binoculars, he could even read the American’s

  ticket. The purchase of binoculars certainly would be a legitimate expense. He walked swiftly along the line of shops on the main floor until he found what he wanted, a shop that specialized in electronic and optical equipment. He chose binoculars of Swiss make, paid for them, and hurried up the stairs to the balcony.

  As he picked a vantage point from which he could watch the entrance and the Air France ticket counter, he heard Scotty’s voice in his ear.“How much farther to the airport, driver?”

  Rick grinned. Scotty was on his way. Was Keller?

  Two minutes later his question was answered. Keller came through the entrance door.