wn dere. Ted he sait as
how he could beat Jimmy, und Jimmy says as how he can vin all Ted's
pennies. So dey are at it, und I is sellin' Jimmy's babers."

"Pitching pennies!" exclaimed Dick to himself, with a little sinking of
his heart. "I hope Jimmy doesn't do much of that gambling. If he gets
in with that crowd he'll begin smoking again. I must go after him."
And he started toward the Battery to look for his erring partner.

CHAPTER XVI

THE DOCTOR'S VERDICT

Dick did not have to ask any directions to find Jimmy when he reached
the Battery, which, as most of my readers may know, is a small park at
the lower end of the metropolis. He saw a crowd of lads gathered in a
secluded corner, and he at once knew them to be newsboys and
bootblacks, for he recognized a number of them.

"That's where they are probably pitching pennies," he thought. "I must
get Jimmy away from there."

His approach was unnoticed, so intent were the lads on the game, and
not until Dick called Jimmy's name was the latter aware that his
partner was present. Even then, beyond a first start of surprise, he
showed no astonishment.

"Hello, Dick," he called. "How'd you find me?"

"Sam Schmidt told me."

"Sam Schmidt! I'll punch his head fer squealin' on us!" exclaimed a
red-haired lad. "What right's he got t' butt in?"

"That's all right," responded Jimmy with an air of superior knowledge.
"He's a partner of mine. Dick's all right. Did you want me, Dick?"

"Yes, you'd better come with me."

"Aw, an' break up de game!" expostulated several. "Why, Jimmy is
winners, an' he can't go until we gits our stakes out."

"Sure I'm winnin'!" said Jimmy proudly. "I'm forty-two cents to the
good now."

"I'd like to talk to you," went on Dick to his chum.

"All right, I'll come."

"Naw; stay!" called Pete Lanson. "Here, have a cigarette, Bricks."

Jimmy stretched out his hand to take one of the paper and tobacco
rolls. For an instant he forgot his promise to Dick. Then he
remembered it and shook his head.

"Gee! Youse must 'a' turned inter a Sunday-school kid," sneered Pete.

"I cut out smokin'," declared Jimmy, with a slight blush. "Me an' me
partner can't afford it," he went on. "We're savin'--I mean saving--up
for to buy a regular stand."

"Git on t' his sassiry language!" remarked another, with a mean laugh.
"Fust we know Bricks'll be shakin' us all togedder."

"Dat's right," chimed in one or two.

"Go on, Bric