d the slow-spoken Lin from the pavement, "you're poor judges
of a badge, you fellows."

His tone pleased them where they stood, wide apart from each other.

Mr. McLean also remained stationary in the bluish illumination of the
window. "Why, if any policeman was caught wearin' this here," said he,
following his sprightly invention, "he'd get arrested himself."

This struck them extremely. They began to draw together, Billy lingering
the last.

"If it's your idea," pursued Mr. McLean, alluringly, as the three took
cautious steps nearer the curb, "that blue, clasped hands in a circle of
red stars gives the bearer the right to put folks in the jug--why, I'll
get somebody else to black my boots for a dollar."

The three made a swift rush, fell on simultaneous knees, and clattering
their boxes down, began to spit in an industrious circle.

"Easy!" wheedled Mr. McLean, and they looked up at him, staring and
fascinated. "Not having three feet," said the cow-puncher, always grave
and slow, "I can only give two this here job."

"He's got a big pistol and a belt!" exulted the leader, who had
precociously felt beneath Lin's coat.

"You're a smart boy," said Lin, considering him, "and yu' find a man out
right away. Now you stand off and tell me all about myself while they
fix the boots--and a dollar goes to the quickest through."

Young Billy and his tow-headed competitor flattened down, each to a
boot, with all their might, while the leader ruefully contemplated Mr.
McLean.

"That's a Colt.45 you've got," ventured he.

"Right again. Some day, maybe, you'll be wearing one of your own, if the
angels don't pull yu' before you're ripe."

"I'm through!" sang out Towhead, rising in haste.

Small Billy was struggling still, but leaped at that, the two heads
bobbing to a level together; and Mr. McLean, looking down, saw that the
arrangement had not been a good one for the boots.

"Will you kindly referee," said he, forgivingly, to the leader, "and
decide which of them smears is the awfulest?"

But the leader looked the other way and played upon a mouth-organ.

"Well, that saves me money," said Mr. McLean, jingling his pocket.
"I guess you've both won." He handed each of them a dollar. "Now," he
continued, "I just dassent show these boots uptown; so this time it's a
dollar for the best shine."

The two went palpitating at their brushes again, and the leader played
his mouth-organ with brilliant unconcern. Lin, tall and b