bully.

"You're a stranger in this city, Mr. Sabin, and I guess you aren't
altogether acquainted with our ways yet," he said. "But I want you
to understand this. The report which is in your pocket has got to be
returned to me. If I'd known what I was meddling with I wouldn't have
touched your business for a hundred thousand dollars. It's got to be
returned to me, I say!" he repeated in a more threatening tone.

Mr. Sabin helped himself to fish, and made a careful examination of the
sauce.

"After all," he said meditatively, "I am not sure that I was wise in
insisting upon a sauce piquante. I beg your pardon, Mr. Horser. Please
do not think me inattentive, but I am very hungry. So, I believe, is my
friend, Mr. Skinner. Will you not join us--or perhaps you have already
dined?"

There was an ugly flush in Mr. Horser's cheeks, but he struggled to keep
his composure.

"Will you give me back that report?"

"When I have read it, with pleasure," Mr. Sabin answered. "Before, no."

Mr. Horser swallowed an exceedingly vicious oath. He struck the table
lightly with his forefinger.

"Look here," he said. "If you'd lived in New York a couple of years,
even a couple of months, you wouldn't talk like that. I tell you that
I hold the government of this city in my right hand. I don't want to be
unpleasant, but if that paper is not in my hands by the time you leave
this table I shall have you arrested as you leave this room, and the
papers taken from you."

"Dear me," Mr. Sabin said, "this is serious. On what charge may I ask
should I be exposed to this inconvenience?"

"Charge be damned!" Mr. Horser answered. "The police don't want
particulars from me. When I say do a thing they do it. They know that if
they declined it would be their last day on the force."

Mr. Sabin filled his glass and leaned back in his chair.

"This," he remarked, "is interesting. I am always glad to have the
opportunity of gaining an insight into the customs of different
countries. I had an idea that America was a country remarkable for the
amount of liberty enjoyed by its inhabitants. Your proposed course of
action seems scarcely in keeping with this."

"What are you going to do? Come, I've got to have an answer."

"I don't quite understand," Mr. Sabin remarked, with a puzzled look,
"what your official position is in connection with the police."

Mr. Horser's face was a very ugly sight. "Oh, curse my official
position," he exclaimed thickly. "I