tly in an ill-temper.

"Don't you know any better'n to break up what a feller's fixin'?" he
asked angrily as he stood before Seth and Dan. "I was doin' some mighty
fine work, an' you've spoiled it all by yellin' so loud. Now the folks
in there know I'm 'round, an' won't so much as show theirselves."

"Do you reckon they believe you're a detective?" Dan asked, trying in
vain to check his mirth.

"Of course I do!" Sam replied hotly. "Folks have heard of me before
this, an' it stands me in hand to keep out of sight all I can."

"Who did you think was in the alley?" Seth asked.

"I'm lookin' for more'n one in this town, an' counted on finishin' up
two or three little jobs in the detective line before I lighted out to
nab Jip Collins."

"Do you know where he is?" and Seth appeared disturbed.

"What kind of a detective do you allow I am if I don't know that? I've
got it all figgered out, an' most likely I'll take a spin over to
Philadelphy to-night. If I do, you'll see him in court to-morrow
mornin'."

"Oh, has he gone over there?" Dan asked with a great show of interest,
pursing his mouth into shape for whistling to prevent an outburst of
laughter.

"That's about the size of it; but he needn't think he can run away from
me."

"Look here, Sam," and now Seth spoke in a serious tone; "Jip didn't try
to hurt anybody but Dan an' me, an' we don't want you to bother him.
We're willin' to give him a fair show, 'cause he'll take a big turn
after this."

"I can't help what you want," the detective replied obstinately. "When I
know that a feller has been burnin' up houses it's my business to run
him in, an' I'm goin' to do it."

"What is it to you, so long as we're satisfied?" Dan asked sharply.

"See here, ain't I a detective?"

"I ain't so certain of that," Master Roberts cried promptly.

"I guess other people know it if you don't, 'cause I've had more'n one
case in this town. Now, so long as that is my business I'm bound to take
up anythin' I hear about, an'----"

"Other detectives don't do that; they wait till the chief sends 'em out,
or somebody hires 'em."

Dan's reply staggered Sam for an instant; but he soon bethought himself
of what seemed to be the proper answer, and replied:

"That would be all right if I was on the force; but so long as I ain't
it stands me in hand to work my way along, same's Seth's tryin' to do in
the Fire Department. If I can catch Jip Collins and send him up the
river, it'll be a