He was thoughtful and busy formulating in his mind just what he would report at headquarters, and had proceeded less than half a dozen squares from home when passing an alley his name was called. Looking beyond the street Ralph recognized Ike Slump. He wore a very mysterious face and he was urgently beckoning to Ralph. The latter was about to proceed on his way with a gesture of annoyance, when Slump shouted out:
“You’ll be sorry if you don’t see me for a minute or two.”
“Well, what is it?” inquired Ralph, moving a few feet towards his challenger.
“I need five dollars.”
“Oh, you do?”
“Yes, bad. I want you to give it to me.”
“That’s cool.”
“I’ve got to get out of town. You’d better let me go.”
“I don’t see how I am preventing you,” said Ralph.
“You will, when I explain.”