cab or hack in this blizzard, and at this time of night, to get him up
from the ferry. If you'll take the job, I'll give you fifteen dollars
for it."

"That ain't so easy earned in a reg'lar snow-in; besides, I don't want
to be a party to gettin' him furder into your grip by takin' him over."

"Oh, that's all right. He's got a friend with him who'll see to him for
the rest of the night."

"Well, I don't mind then. It's goin' on one now, an' I might as well
make a night o' it on t' other side. It's damned hard on the hosses,
though, an' it's ten to one I don't get lifted myself by one o' them
cussed cruelty to animil fellers that sometimes poke their noses into
the wrong end o' their business.--Make it twenty an' it is done."

The detective smiled. "Twenty it is." He patted the noble Percherons and
felt their warmth under the blankets. "You're not the kind they're
after. What have you got in your team?"

"Nothing but the hosses' feed-bags."

"That'll do. We'll put him in now in case any one comes on at Staten
Island for the return trip. You don't know nothing about _this_, you
know." He looked at him knowingly.

"All right, Cap'n; I'd be willin' to say I was a bloomin' idjot for two
saw-horses. Come, rake out."

The detective laughed. "Here's ten to bind the bargain--the rest when
you've landed him."

III

The brewery team made its way slowly up from the ferry owing to the
drifting snow and icy pavements. From time to time a plough ran on the
elevated, or on the trolley tracks, and sent the snow in fan-like spurts
from the fender. The driver drew rein in a west-side street off lower
Seventh Avenue. It was a brotherhood house where the priest had taken a
room for an emergency like the present one. He knew that within these
walls no questions would be asked, yet every aid given, if required, in
just these circumstances. The man beneath the horse-blankets was still
unconscious when they lifted him out, and carried him up to a large room
in the topmost story. The detective, after removing the handcuffs, asked
if he could be of any further use that night. He stepped to the side of
the cot and looked searchingly into the passive face on the pillow.

"No; he's safe here," Father Honore replied. "You will notify the police
and the other detectives. I will go bail for him if any should be
needed; but I may as well tell you now that the case will probably never
come to trial; the amount has been guaranteed." He wrot