Cinder Path Tales

204 CINDER-PATH TALES nasal tones from the ticket office. It was Paddy's "ancient enemy" who had dis­ covered us, with his face close to the aper­ ture, securein the protection of the window. He called lustily, until a huge fist swung through thehole, and landed on the Roman nose with a dull, sickening thud. Silence followed Paddy's skilful blow, but the mis­ chief was done, forthere suddenlyappeared through the door behind us a knock-kneed bobby, club in hand. Tom called "'Ware the cop ! " and by giving the promptest kind of leg bail they just escaped him, bolting out the door, and across the Bowery, the crooked-legged copper close after. Harry, who was leading, swung down a dimly lightedalley, Jimand Paddy following in order. The policeman, who apparently had little confidence in his ability to catch such nimble-footed gentry, stopped at the corner, andcommenced a devil's tattoo with his night club on the pavement as a signal for some compatriot to head offthe fugitives. Tom and I, who were close up, dashed by him without aword, resolved to stick to our friends, no matter what the cost. Tom was chuckling with delight, gaveme a look over his shoulder, and set a killing pace, with the laudable ambition of running me off my feet, as well as distancing our pursuers. Chasing