ug of yours? Has the
imitation detective caught him yet?"

Seth told of Bill Dean's plan to prevent Sam from working mischief, and
the story caused the men to laugh heartily.

"That boy Bill must have quite a head on his shoulders," 'Lish Davis
said when his mirth had so far subsided that it was possible for him to
speak. "You can tell the firebug that he'd better give this section of
the city a wide berth for a spell, and if he walks a chalk-line it may
be he won't be troubled about that crime of his. If he should get funny
in that way again, however, we'll bring this case up in a jiffy, and
he'll get a long taste of prison life."

"Then you will keep the officers from arrestin' him?" Seth asked
eagerly.

"I didn't say that, Amateur. It may happen that he won't be troubled
while he does what is right; but there's been no promises made."

When Seth had finally finished the work of blacking boots to his
satisfaction, he put the box and brushes away upstairs, and approaching
'Lish Davis, said in a whisper:

"You've been awful good to me, an' I promise you shan't be sorry for
it."

"I believe you, Amateur, I believe you, else I wouldn't have turned a
hand in the business, even though you did do me a precious good turn the
other night. You're now in a fair way to get into the Department; but
from this out it all depends upon yourself. Keep moving as you've been
doing since I first saw you, and it'll come out all right in the long
run."

Then Seth left the building on his way down-town, and it is safe to say
that in all the city of New York there was not another as happy as he,
for it seemed just then as if the goal he had set himself was very near
at hand.

CHAPTER VIII.

JIP COLLINS'S RETREAT.

So excited was Seth by this sudden and unexpected change in his fortunes
that he could not bring himself to walk demurely down-town as he was in
the custom of doing; but ran swiftly more than half the distance,
repeating to himself over and over again:

"I'm really goin' into the Department after all!"

He was so highly elated when he met Dan that the latter instantly
understood something of the utmost importance had transpired, and asked
eagerly:

"What's flashed up on you, Seth? Got a big job?"

"Indeed I have! I'm goin' into the Department!"

"Wha--wha--what?"

"I'm goin' into the Department. Mr. Davis an' the rest of Ninety-four's
men have got me a job up at headquarters where I'll have a chance t