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144 Odell. "If he comes out shadow him but 'phone back here to Headquarters the first chance you get so that I can follow you. Get me?"

"Sure, Sergeant."

There came the almost simultaneous click of two receivers, and Odell turned to his chief.

"Can I have Miller? I've a hunch we'll need him; Gene Chalmers thinks he has given Porter the slip, and he is over on Third Avenue in some joint that has a shop in front for a blind. I rather think there will be developments."

With the readily accorded permission he and Miller taxied swiftly uptown, dismissing the car a block from their destination. Most of the shops were closed; but the avenue was still brightly lighted, and as they approached the drug store they could distinguish Porter's short, stocky figure leaning nonchalantly against the lamp-post at the curb.

As they neared him he turned and greeted them boisterously in the tough language of the quarter for the benefit of any chance passer-by, then drew them around the corner.

"Look back over your shoulder," he said in low, hurried tones. "See that shop between the delicatessen and the tobacconist's? That's the joint. Gene Chalmers hasn't come out yet and no one else has gone in; but it must be some sort of a meeting-place." "What is that narrow open space around the corner on the side street, back of the tobacconist's?" Odell queried. "Looks like a sort of alley to me. Miller, go and see if it runs back of the tailor's shop and if there is a door opening on it. Look for any lights in the rear and be careful if there is anyone hanging about."

As Miller nodded to them carelessly and sauntered across