permit.

"Put up your hands quick!" and he hastily obeyed the injunction.

"Not a sound out of you or you get it good and proper. You know what we
want. Get to work, Bill; I'll watch his hands."

"Help yourselves, boys. I'm not fool enough to scrap about it. Don't
hit me or shoot, that's all. Be quick about it, because I'll take cold
if my overcoat is open long. How's business been to-night?" Brewster
was to all intents and purposes the calmest man in New York.

"Fierce!" said the one who was doing the searching. "You're the first
guy we've seen in a week that looks good."

"I hope you won't be disappointed," said Monty, genially. "If I'd
expected this I might have brought more money."

"I guess we'll be satisfied," chuckled the man with the revolver.
"You're awful nice and kind, mister, and maybe you wouldn't object to
tellin' us when you'll be up dis way ag'in."

"It's a pleasure to do business with you, pardner," said the other,
dropping Monty's $300 watch in his pocket. "We'll leave car-fare for
you for your honesty." His hands were running through Brewster's
pockets with the quickness of a machine. "You don't go much on jewelry,
I guess. Are dese shoit buttons de real t'ing?"

"They're pearls," said Monty, cheerfully.

"My favorite jool," said the man with the revolver. "Clip 'em out,
Bill."

"Don't cut the shirt," urged Monty. "I'm going to a little supper and I
don't like the idea of a punctured shirt-front."

"I'll be as careful as I kin, mister. There, I guess dat's all. Shall I
call a cab for you, sir?"

"No, thank you, I think I'll walk."

"Well, just walk south a hundred steps without lookin' 'round er
yellin' and you kin save your skin. I guess you know what I mean,
pardner."

"I'm sure I do. Good-night."

"Good-night," came in chuckles from the two hold-up men. But Brewster
hesitated, a sharp thought penetrating his mind.

"By gad!" he exclaimed, "you chaps are very careless. Do you know
you've missed a roll of three hundred dollars in this overcoat pocket?"
The men gasped and the spasmodic oaths that came from them were born of
incredulity. It was plain that they doubted their ears.

"Say it ag'in," muttered Bill, in bewildered tones.

"He's stringin' us, Bill," said the other.

"Sure," growled Bill. "It's a nice way to treat us, mister. Move along
now and don't turn 'round."

"Well, you're a couple of nice highwaymen," cried Monty in disgust.

"Sh--not so loud."

"That is no