, and I guess he did, too. Ah,
congratulations, O'Connor! I haven't had a chance to tell you before how
pleased I was to learn you had been appointed first deputy. It ought to
have been commissioner, though," added Kennedy.

"Congratulations nothing," rejoined O'Connor. "Just another
new-deal-election coming on, mayor must make a show of getting some
reform done, and all that sort of thing. So he began with the Police
Department, and here I am, first deputy. But, say, Kennedy," he added,
dropping his voice, "I've a little job on my mind that I'd like to pull
off in about as spectacular a fashion as I--as you know how. I want to
make good, conspicuously good, at the start--understand? Maybe I'll be
'broke' for it and sent to pounding the pavements of Dismissalville,
but I don't care, I'll take a chance. On the level, Kennedy, it's a big
thing, and it ought to be done. Will you help me put it across?"

"What is it?" asked Kennedy with a twinkle in his eye at O'Connor's
estimate of the security of his tenure of office.

O'Connor drew us away from the automobile toward the stone parapet
overlooking the railroad and river far below, and out of earshot of
the department chauffeur. "I want to pull off a successful raid on the
Vesper Club," he whispered earnestly, scanning our faces.

"Good heavens, man," I ejaculated, "don't you know that Senator Danfield
is interested in--"

"Jameson," interrupted O'Connor reproachfully, "I said 'on the level' a
few moments ago, and I meant it. Senator Danfield he--well, anyhow, if I
don't do it the district attorney will, with the aid of the Dowling law,
and I am going to beat him to it, that's all. There's too much money
being lost at the Vesper Club, anyhow. It won't hurt Danfield to be
taught a lesson not to run such a phony game. I may like to put up a
quiet bet myself on the ponies now and then--I won't say I don't, but
this thing of Danfield's has got beyond all reason. It's the crookedest
gambling joint in the city, at least judging by the stories they tell of
losses there. And so beastly aristocratic, too. Read that."

O'Connor shoved a letter into Kennedy's hand, a dainty perfumed and
monogrammed little missive addressed in a feminine hand. It was such a
letter as comes by the thousand to the police in the course of a year;
though seldom from ladies of the smart set.

"Dear Sir: I notice in the newspapers this morning that you have just
been appointed first deputy commissione