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148 he seemed to be laying down the law to the kid, who was getting madder by the minute; and when he broke in he raised his voice so that I could hear every word. 'You can't bluff me with any more of that bunk, Drew,' he said. 'I know you can send me up, but you won't; because you'll go too, and you know it! You can bet your boots I kept your letters, they were the only protection I had! I was a sucker and you bled me white, but don't forget I've got a come-back.' The other one growled something I couldn't hear, and then the kid broke in again. 'Not a chance! I don't know whether I got away with it to-night or not, but it's the last; and if you don't want to have to answer some embarrassing questions you'll clear out until this thing is over. I tell you Titheredge wised up that chap from Headquarters as to how you stand in our family circle and I don't think the statement was a flattering one.'

"I heard footsteps coming down the side street then, and ducked behind a pile of pickle-tubs that the delicatessen next door had stacked up in the alley; it was lucky I did, for a man passed twice on the sidewalk looking in and then turned and came straight toward me. I thought he had seen me, but he went right up to the back door of the tailor's shop and knocked twice quickly and after a minute once more. The door opened and he went in, and I beat it back here to you."

"All right. Go over and watch the front door of the shop and if anyone comes out stop them and blow your whistle; McCarren's on his beat and he'll be along here somewhere." Odell turned to Porter. "Come on. We'll have a look at what is doing in that back room."

They crossed the avenue, entered the alley and crept to