ell, well." He looked at the other speculatively and added:
"But I thought you said it was dark. How did you know him?"

"Who else would be hanging around there?" demanded Big Slim, almost
savagely. "Nobody else in the world."

"Hanging around where?" asked Bat, innocently.

Upon the point of replying, the burglar checked himself.

"It don't make any difference where," he said. "I got this on him, all
right." There was a pause between them for a few moments, filled with
the click-click of the balls, the comments of the spectators and the
fervent ejaculations of the players. Then Big Slim said, in an altered
tone: "Say, you put that thing over pretty slick on Allen that night at
Duke Sheehan's; how'd you like to take on a job of slugging this guy?"

"This Fenton party?"

"Yes. He's bigger than I am--just as Allen was; and it'd be a bad chance
if I 'gunned' him."

Scanlon realized instantly that if he refused the man's proposition
there would be a blur in their relationship, and this might prevent the
unfolding of several things which he felt must be unfolded. So he
replied without hesitation:

"Let's have a look at him, if he comes in."

A table became vacant in the back room in a few minutes, and Bat and the
burglar took possession of it. They had played for about a half hour
when Big Slim, in a journey about the table, apparently to survey the
balls from a new angle, said to Scanlon in a low tone:

"Spot the fellow with the broken nose, talking to Hutchinson. That's
him."

While the burglar sighted and prepared for a difficult shot, Bat took
occasion to inspect the man in question. He had just entered and seemed
rather breathless; a cap was fitted down upon his head; he wore no
overcoat and his coat collar was turned up, while the garment was
buttoned tightly about him. Though only about middle size, he was
strongly built and had a rugged, enduring look. His one prominent
feature was his nose. This had been broken at some time or other and
seemed absolutely boneless and flat.

"I've got him," said Bat. "There's no two noses like that anywhere."

Fenton talked rapidly to Hutchinson; he had the short-breathed, eager
manner of a man who bore tidings of an unusual nature; his gestures
were short and expressive of subconscious restraint The manager of the
pool room stood listening, a look of stupefaction upon his face; and as
Bat watched, he put out his hand and touched the other as though to
assure himself