'We got some way to go, boss,' he said. 'I wisht youse hadn't sent
away de cab.'
'Did you think we were going to drive up to the door? Pull yourself
together, my dear man.'
They walked on, striking eastward out of Broadway. It caused Jimmy
some surprise to find that the much-enduring thoroughfare extended
as far as this. It had never occurred to him before to ascertain
what Broadway did with itself beyond Times Square.
It was darker now that they had moved from the center of things, but
it was still far too light for Jimmy's tastes. He was content,
however, to leave matters entirely to his companion. Spike probably
had his methods for evading publicity on these occasions.
Spike plodded on. Block after block he passed, until finally the
houses began to be more scattered.
At last, he halted before a fair-sized detached house.
'Dis is de place,' he said. 'A friend of mine tells me of it. I
didn't know he was me friend, dough, before he puts me wise about
dis joint. I t'ought he'd got it in fer me 'cos of last week when I
scrapped wit' him about somet'in'. I t'ought after that he was
layin' fer me, but de next time he seen me he put me wise to dis
place.'
'Coals of fire,' said Jimmy. 'He was of a forgiving disposition.' A
single rain-drop descended on the nape of his neck. In another
moment, a smart shower had begun.
'This matter has passed out of our hands,' said Jimmy. 'We must
break in, if only to get shelter. Get busy, my lad.'
There was a handy window only a few feet from the ground. Spike
pulled from his pocket a small bottle.
'What's that?' inquired Jimmy.
'Molasses, boss,' said Spike, deferentially.
He poured the contents of the bottle on a piece of paper, which he
pressed firmly against the window-pane. Then, drawing out a short
steel instrument, he gave the paper a sharp tap. The glass broke
almost inaudibly. The paper came away, leaving a gap in the pane.
Spike inserted his hand, shot back the catch, and softly pushed up
the window.
'Elementary,' said Jimmy; 'elementary, but quite neat.'
There was now a shutter to be negotiated. This took longer, but in
the end Spike's persuasive methods prevailed.
Jimmy became quite cordial.
'You have been well-grounded, Spike,' he said. 'And, after all, that
is half the battle. The advice I give to every novice is, 'Learn to
walk before you try to run.' Master the a, b, c, of the craft first.
With a little careful coaching, you will do. Just so. Pop in.'
Spike climbed cautiously over the sill, followed by Jimmy. The
latter struck a match, and found the electric light switch. They
were in a parlor, furnished and decorated with surprising taste.
Jimmy had expected the usual hideousness, but here everything from
the wall-paper to the smallest ornaments was wonderfully well
