ey ought to be locked up! We don't want any such work as that
around New York City."

"Where am I?" asked Hal, again.

"You are at the half-way house on the Jerome Avenue road."

"How far is that from downtown?"

"Quite a few miles, young man."

"Which is the nearest way down?"

"There is a station on the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad not
far from here. But there won't be a train down until half-past ten."

"And what time is it now?"

"Quarter past nine."

"Then I think I'll wait."

"You had better. That crack on the head is an ugly one."

"I must have gotten it when I jumped from the coach."

"It was a desperate leap. Who was the fellow who was carrying you off?"

"A tough from the east side."

"Maybe he'll be coming back looking for you."

"That's so," cried Hal. "Is there a police officer around?"

"I'll find out."

"Macy is down by the stable," put in a man present.

"Call him, please," said Hal.

The policeman was summoned, and to him and the proprietor of the place
the youth told his story, omitting all details that were not necessary.

"We might follow him in one of the rigs here," said the policeman. "But
it's more than likely he'll be back."

"Will you arrest him for me?"

"Sure."

A few minutes passed. Then the door opened, and the negro who had helped
to pick Hal up came in.

"A feller wid an empty coach jess drove up," he said, somewhat
excitedly.

"It must be Macklin!" exclaimed Hal. "Where is he?"

"Jess gitting ready ter cum in, I reckon, sah."

"We'll go down and meet him," said the policeman, and he led the way.

The door leading to the bar-room was partly of glass. Beaching it, the
policeman pointed to a man standing at the bar, gulping down a glass of
liquor.

"Is that the chap?" he asked.

Hal gave a look.

"Yes, that's Macklin. Don't let him get away!"

"No fear. I've dealt with many a tough customer, and I know how to
handle them."

"I will step in first, and give him a surprise," said the youth, and he
opened the door.

Macklin's back was turned at the time, and he did not see our hero until
Hal tapped him on the shoulder.

"Well, Macklin, were you looking for me?"

The tough turned quickly. Then he grew pale, and the glass almost
dropped from his hand.

"Wot--where----" he stammered.

"You didn't expect to meet me here, did you?" went on Hal, pleasantly.

"No--dat is--where did yer cum from?"

"From your coach, Macklin. I got tired