not think I do," he answered, frowning
slightly.

"Well, ye ought to. I ain't never forgot ye, and I never will. You give
me a meal once and a dollar to keep me going."

O'Day's brow relaxed. "Yes, now I do. You are the man whose wife left
him, and who tried to steal my watch."

"That's it--you got it. You didn't give me away. Say, I been straight
ever since. It's been tough, but I kep' on--I work here three nights in
the week and I got another job in a joint on Second Avenue. Say--" he
added, glancing furtively over his shoulder. Then finding his suspicions
confirmed, and the attention of the group fastened on him, he began to
push the broom vigorously, muttering in jerks to Felix: "This ain't no
place for ye--git into trouble sure--what yer doin' here?--They're
onto ye, or the bunch wouldn't have their heads together--don't make no
difference who's here, everybody gits pinched--I can't talk--they'll git
wise and fire me."

Felix's lip curled and an amused expression drifted over his face. His
jaws set, the muscles forming little ridges about his ears.

"I will attend to that later," he said, in a firm voice. "Keep on with
your work."

He shook the ashes from his pipe, resumed his seat, and leaned
carelessly forward with his elbows on his thighs, his former protege,
now deep in his work, squeezing the wet rag into the bucket, and using
the broom where the mud was thickest. When the swabbing-up process
brought the man within speaking distance again Felix leaned still
further forward and asked:

"What sort of a place is this--a restaurant?"

The man turned his head. He was again on his knees, and had drawn
nearer. He was now wiping the same spot so as to be within reach of
Felix's ear.

"Downstairs--yes," he returned in a low voice. "Upstairs--in the
rear--across a roof--" He glanced again at the group and stopped.

"A gambling house?"

"No--a pool-room. That's why I give ye the tip."

Felix ruminated, the man polishing vigorously. "What kind of people come
here?"

"The kind ye see--and crooks."

"Do you know them all?"

"Why not? I been workin' here two months. Had two raids--that's why I
posted ye. It's the chop-house game now, with a new deal all around, but
they're onto it--so a pal of mine tells me."

Again Felix ruminated. "Women ever come here?"

"Oh, yes, up to ten o'clock or so--telephone operators, shop-girls--that
kind. Two of 'em are over there now; they work in Cryder's store
Christm