is sniffling, reluctant brother.

They apportioned the last of the cucumbers and crossed the tracks in
single file, pausing now to balance fantastically on the shining steel
rails, and now to skip flat, smooth pebbles against the black, weathered
girders which supported the block signals. As they reached the home
precincts, a still-panting figure joined them.

"Has he gone?"

John nodded. "He was only bluffing. Might have known that. We're going
over to the flats."

"The flats" was the largest building on their home street. Built on the
corner, in the shape of a huge, four-storied, red brick "C," it was
really composed of a number of apartments with separate entrances with a
common, cement-paved inside court on which the back porches fronted. The
basements were given over to boiler rooms, laundry tubs, and storerooms,
linked by long, twisting, badly lighted corridors which formed excellent
hiding places for the boys in time of pursuit.

The gang gathered noisily just off the corner and waited for victims. A
gray-haired, poorly clad woman shuffled past. Sid raised his arm. Silvey
whispered a protest. "That's old lady Allen. Has the rheumatism. Leave
her alone."

John broke into a gleeful chortle. "Look what's coming, fellows."

The cause of his exultation was a callow youth of sixteen, whose father
had met with a sudden wave of prosperity and was now trying to sell his
rather modest home that he might move to a more exclusive neighborhood.
The son was inclined to patronize old acquaintances and affected a
multitude of expensive tailored clothes and a light cane. John eyed the
gray, immaculately pressed suit appreciatively and let fly.

The boy wheeled in surprise, then stooped to pick up his hat.

"You fellows had better cut that out," he blustered, as he straightened
the soft, felt brim.

"Who's going to make us?" Silvey jeered, as his cucumber hit the neat
lapel.

"Just do that again. I'll show you."

A volley of the juicy missiles greeted his words. He charged upon the
boys, who fled to the haven of the darkest of the corridors and took
refuge in an empty outer storeroom. There they barricaded themselves and
awaited his coming.

"Ya-a-ah," John taunted, as he heard heavy breathing through the door.
"What'll you do now?"

"Just wait until dinner time."

"Not going to make us stay that long, are you? Please don't be mean."

The elder boy deigned no reply. John raised the little window which
fronted