nd cab-drivers and street
cleaners, I suppose. They're all in the same class to me--just
servants."

"What precinct did he come from?"

Baxter's tone was more earnest than it had been.

Burke's face reddened at the girl's slur, but he continued his waiting
game.

"Precinct? What's that? I don't know where he came from. He's a New
York policeman, that's all I found out. It didn't interest me, why
should it you? Oh, Mr. Baxter, look at that beautiful willow plume on
that girl's hat. She is a silly-looking girl, but that is a wonderful
hat."

Baxter grunted and seemed lost in thought.

Burke espied Jimmie the Monk meandering through the tables, in company
with a heavy, smooth-faced man whose eyes were directed from even that
distance toward the table at which Lorna sat.

Burke wiped his forehead with his handkerchief, thus cutting off
Jimmie's possible view of his features.

"Ah, Jimmie, back again. And I see you're with my old friend, Sam
Shepard!"

Baxter rose to shake hands with the newcomer. He introduced him to
Lorna, backing close against Burke's shoulder as he did so.

"This is my friend, Sam Shepard, the theatrical manager, Miss Lorna,"
began Baxter. "He's the man who can get you on the stage. You know I
was telling you about him. This is Miss Barton, you've heard about,
Sam. Sit down and tell her about your new comic opera that you're
casting now."

[Illustration: "This is my friend, Sam Shepard, the theatrical manager,
Miss Lorna. He's the man who can get you on the stage.]

As Shepard shook Lorna's hand, Jimmie leaned over toward Baxter's ear
to whisper. They were not two feet from Burke's own ears, so he heard
the message: "I've got de taxi ready. Now, make a good getaway to
Reilly's house, Baxter."

"Say, Jimmie, just a minute," murmured Baxter. "This girl says a cop
was up calling on her father. I met the guy. His name was Burke. Do
you know him? Is he apt to queer anything?"

Jimmie the Monk started.

"Burke? What did he look like?"

"Oh, pretty slick-looking gink. Well set-up--looked like an army man,
and gave me a hard stare when he lamped me. Had been in the hospital
with the old fellow."

"Gee, dat's Burke, de guy dat's been after me, and I'm goin' ter do
'im. Is he buttin' in on dis?"

"Yes; what about him? You're not scared of him, are you?"

"Naw; but he's a bad egg. Say, he's a rookie dat t'inks 'e kin clean
up our gang. Now, you better dish dis