ns, so that you
will be a good witness against them when the time comes."

"I can do that."

"I want you to work independently of me entirely. Your only part of the
game, so far as it is directly connected with my part of the work, will
be to hold yourself in readiness to lend me a helping hand from the
inside at any moment I may happen to want you."

"Of course. That goes without saying. Are Chick and Ten-Ichi going to be
in this?"

"Yes. But I have not determined in what way as yet. You will have to be
on the lookout for them. I may take one of them with me, and send the
other in to follow you. Or I may send both after you, and go it alone
myself. Or I may take them both with me. All that will depend upon what
information I pick up when I get to Calamont."

"I see."

"Now, Patsy, it is up to you. All that red you used on your hair before
has not disappeared yet; but you had better go to a hair dyer's and get
it fixed up over again. Then make yourself over once more into Pat
Slick. I leave the rest to you. But as a last warning, I repeat--look
out for that man Handsome."

"Oh, I am not afraid of Handsome. He's a----"

"He is a much smarter man than either of us gave him credit for. He is
an educated man, who can represent the hobo so perfectly that you would
never suspect that he has a college education. And he is devoted to
Madge. Look out for him. He is her right-hand man, and he is dangerous.
If he saw through you before, or had any idea that he did see through
you, your life won't be worth a snap of your finger the next time you
meet--unless you can manage to shoot first."

"I know that, too. But he did not suspect."

"I am not so sure of that. Madge had a little time to think things over
while she was in the jail, and as soon as she got out, she and Handsome
had a chance to talk things over. With their two heads together, they
make about as dangerous a pair to play against as could be imagined."

"All right. I'll stand pat--and bluff."

"Be careful that they don't call you. That's all."

"Is there any particular game afoot with the hoboes just now?"

"Not that I know of."

"What specific charge are we after Madge for?"

"No specific charge, save that she is accused of all the old ones. There
is enough against her to send her to prison for the rest of her life,
once she is caught."

"I guess that's no pipe dream."

"The railway people object to her being at liberty. That is about all."

"An