. Jest plug right ahead an' do the best you know
how; then things will come out all right, I'm certain. By the time Sam
gets back we'll take care he don't meddle with the case, an' I reckon
Mr. Davis will fix the balance. When you goin' to leave here?"

"Jest as soon as I can. I made up my mind this noon that I'd let Sam
Barney lug me off to jail rather than stay any longer."

"Then come with us, an' there'll be time for you to get in some of the
evenin' trade if we hurry. Bill an' Dan will go over with you an' see if
there's any fellers 'round the Thirty-fourth Street Ferry that might
make trouble, an' most likely I'll see you again to-morrow."

At this point Dan would have told the firebug of Seth's good fortune,
but that the latter checked him, believing at such a time the
information had best be withheld, and the three Good Samaritans with
their penitent friend set out for New York.

CHAPTER IX.

THE UNIFORM.

When Jip Collins and those who had befriended him arrived at the point
nearest Ninety-four's house, on their way to the Thirty-fourth Street
Ferry, Seth halted to take leave of his companions, and knowing what he
was about to do, Dan urged that he be allowed to accompany him.

"You're goin' down to get your uniform on, an' I want to see it the very
first thing."

"So you shall, Dan; but I'd rather you wouldn't come with me now, 'cause
there was nothin' said about my bringin' anybody. Keep on with Bill an'
Jip, an' I'll go over to our room jest as soon as I get through at the
engine-house."

This did not please Master Roberts; but Bill Dean urged that Seth was in
the right, and was very emphatic in the assertion that it would "be 'way
off color to shove in" at such a time.

Therefore Dan ceased to insist, although it was with a very ill grace
that he accepted the situation.

As a matter of course, once such a conversation was started, it became
necessary to explain to Jip what important business called Seth away,
and he said with a sigh:

"I'm glad you're playin' in such luck, Seth, for you're mighty square. I
s'posed after what I'd done nobody would let me come 'round their
houses, an' as for my gettin' into any Department, why there never'll be
a show of such a thing as that."

"Now don't you get down in the dumps, Jip, 'cause you'll soon pull up
where you was before. All that's needed is to go on straight from this
out, an' show people you're sorry for meddlin' in such crooked
busine