y. So if we kin find out where he
belongs we'll git de reward an' business'll be better fer us."

"Dat's so. How youse goin' t' do it?"

"Listen, an' I'll tell ye."

Then the two cronies whispered together for come time.

"Dat's a good plan," said Mike at length. "I'll do me share. When
youse goin' t' try it?"

"T'-night. Once youse gits Jimmy outer de way de rest'll be plain
sailin' fer me."

"Oh, I'll do it."

Soon after this the two plotters separated. Meanwhile Dick and Jimmy,
all unconscious of what was being planned against them, were doing
business as usual.

When Dick got back to the room, late that afternoon, having been out
selling extras after their regular work in the financial district, he
was surprised not to find Jimmy. He had seen the latter, not an hour
before, and his partner had said he was, even then, on his way to the
lodging-house to get ready for supper. Jimmy had promised to wait for
Dick.

"I hope he hasn't gone off with some of those boys, pitching pennies,"
thought Dick. For he never could be quite sure of Jimmy, who was
easily tempted, though, of late, he had been very good indeed.

But Dick's wonderment over his chum's absence was cut short by the
entrance of Bulldog into the room, when, in answer to a knock on the
door, Dick had called an invitation to enter.

"Evenin'," said Bulldog shortly. "Jimmy sent me fer youse, Dick. He
want's youse t' come."

"Jimmy wants me? Where is he? What has happened?"

Dick felt a sudden fear.

"He's hurted a little bit--not much," went on Bulldog, "and he was took
inter a house. He wants youse t' come. Will yer?"

"Of course. Do you know where he is?"

"Sure. I seen him a while ago. He ain't hurt bad. If youse'll come
wit' me I'll show youse."

"Wait until I get my coat on and I'll come with you."

Dick followed his former enemy out of the lodging-house. He had no
reason to suspect anything, for, of late, Bulldog had been rather
friendly than otherwise.

Dick followed his guide into one of the worst parts of New York, but
had little fear, as he had, more or less, become used to traveling
about the slums with Jimmy. Bulldog led the way down through a dirty
alley and into a ramschackle tenement.

"He's right upstairs," he said. "Come on."

Dick followed in the semi-darkness, illuminated by only a flaring
kerosene lamp. Bulldog went into a room, and Dick, expecting to see
his partner lying hurt on a bed or lou