an by tellin' all them lies?" he demanded.

"Lies?" repeated the astonished watchman. "I never told no lies."

"You did. You said this gentleman," indicating the nervous and
apprehensive Captain Elisha, "was fightin' and murderin'. I ask your
pardon, sir. 'Twas this bloke's foolishness. G'wan ashore! You make me
sick. Good day, Mr. Pearson."

He departed, driving his new victim before him and tongue-lashing him
all the way. The captain drew a long breath.

"Say, Mr. Pearson," he declared, "a minute or so ago you said this was
a lucky day for you. I cal'late it's a luckier one for me. If it hadn't
been for you I'd been took up. Yes, sir, took up and carted off to the
lockup. Whew! that would have looked well in the papers, wouldn't it?
And my niece and nephew.... Jerushy! I'm mightily obliged to you. How
did you handle that policeman so easily?"

Pearson laughed. "Oh," he replied, "a newspaper training and
acquaintance has its advantages. Slattery knows me, and I know him."

"Well, I thank you, I do so."

"You needn't. I wouldn't have missed meeting you and seeing you handle
those fellows for a good deal. And besides, you're not going to escape
so easy. You must lunch with me."

The captain started, hastily pulled out his watch, and looked at it.

"Quarter to one!" he cried. "And I said I'd be back at that lawyer's
office at half-past twelve. No, no, Mr. Pearson, I can't go to lunch
with you, but I do wish you'd come and see me some time. My address
for--for a spell, anyhow--is Central Park West," giving the number, "and
the name is Warren, same as mine. Will you come some evenin'? I'd be
tickled to death to see you."

The young man was evidently delighted.

"Will I?" he exclaimed. "Indeed I will. I warn you, Captain Warren, that
I shall probably keep you busy spinning sea yarns."

"Nothin' I like better, though I'm afraid my yarns'll be pretty dull
alongside of your Uncle Jim's."

"I'll risk it. Good-by and good luck. I shall see you very soon."

"That's right; do. So long."

CHAPTER VI

The boy, Captain Elisha's acquaintance of the morning, was out, regaling
himself with crullers and milk at a pushcart on Broad Street, when the
captain returned to the officers of Sylvester, Kuhn and Graves. The
clerk who had taken his place was very respectful.

"Captain Warren," he said, "Mr. Sylvester was sorry to miss you. He
waited until half past twelve and left word for us to telephone if you
came. Ou