As they reached the foot of the stairs the door of the coal office opened and three men stepped out on the sidewalk.
"The devil," said Chip, "that is more than I bargained for."
The three men stood a moment conversing, then the detectives heard
Cummings say:
"I'll be back in an hour," as he turned east and walked away.
The other two, Weaver and Haight, turned in the opposite direction and sauntered slowly along.
Turning to the two men who had been sent to relieve them, Chip said:
"Follow those two, and arrest them if possible without any noise; your warrant covers them."
By this time Cummings was some little distance below them, strolling leisurely along, and at the next corner the detectives saw him enter a saloon.
Crossing the street, their revolvers in their side coat-pockets ready for use, Sam and Chip entered the saloon.
Cummings, without the false mustache, which he had either removed or lost (in fact it dropped off as he entered the coalyard) had just ordered a drink as the detectives entered.