Dobbs was outside guarding the door, though the doorman said that no one ever would think of opening it.
“Ah, Captain!” cried Dobbs, as Allan emerged from the closet. “Loaded for bear now, are you?”
The doorman took great interest in the camera, and so did the Sergeant. Allan felt very grateful and generous, and suggested taking the Sergeant at his desk, the doorman standing near with his keys in a military attitude.
“I guess I should count six,” said Allan, “and you mustn’t move.”
“Hear that, Sergeant?” demanded Dobbs. “Look benevolent and don’t breathe.”
At this the Sergeant’s lips twitched, but he held quite still until Allan had completed the exposure. The thing was hardly done when a policeman came in with another prisoner.
“Business is good to-day,” laughed Dobbs; “good-by, Sergeant; hold on tight to my Ghost.”
Then Allan confessed to Dobbs that he had forgotten to change the focus of his camera to short range, and that the picture certainly was spoiled.
“Let it go,” Dobbs said reassuringly. “They’ll forget all about it, anyway. What do you say to walking up to the Grand Central by way of Broadway? We can take in Union and Madison Squares and so on.”
Allan thought this a good idea. The truth is, he was feeling resentful toward the regions in which he had spent most of the time since reaching the city in the morning. He was glad to get away toward Union Square and up-town.