Jimmy realized it a dozen curious pedestrians were approaching them from

different directions, and a burly blue-coated figure was shouldering his

way forward.

Jimmy had permitted his captive to rise, but he still held tightly to

his wrist as the officer confronted them. He took one look at Jimmy's

companion, and then grabbed him roughly by the arm. "So, it's you again,

is it?" he growled.

"I ain't done nuthin'," muttered the man.

The officer looked inquiringly at Jimmy.

"What's all the excitement about?" asked the latter. "My friend and I

have done nothing."

"Your fri'nd and you?" replied the policeman. "He ain't no fri'nd o'

yours, or yez wouldn't be sayin' so."

"Well, I'll admit," replied Jimmy, "that possibly I haven't known him

long enough to presume to claim any close friendship, but there's no

telling what time may develop."

"You don't want him pinched?" asked the policeman.

"Of course not," replied Jimmy. "Why should he be pinched?"

The officer turned roughly upon the stranger, shook him viciously a few

times, and then gave him a mighty shove which all but sent him sprawling

into the gutter.

"G'wan wid yez," he yelled after him, "and if I see ye on this beat

again I'll run yez in. An' you"--he turned upon Jimmy--"ye'd

betther be on your way--and not be afther makin' up with ivery dip ye

meet."

"Thanks," said Jimmy. "Have a cigar."

After the officer had helped himself and condescended to relax his stern

features into the semblance of a smile the young man bid him good night

and resumed his way toward the hotel.

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