Perk looked astonished.
“But see here, boss, we got our credentials from Washington to prove we’re in the Secret Service, an’ sky detectives at that; they jest wouldn’t dare hold us on some sorter flimsy charge ’cause that’d get ’em in hard with the Government, wouldn’t it?”
“You never know how these affairs may turn out,” said Jack. “Often there seems to be some kind of a jealous feeling between States officers and those of the Government—almost like a little vendetta, each arm of the Law striking out at the other, and getting in a sly lick that’s good for a laugh after hostilities have died down. These Southern city police might make out there was a grave charge of abduction or something like that, compelling them to hold us incommunicado—that is keep us from intercourse with the U. S. District Attorney’s office until several days had elapsed and then setting us free with a lot of apologies that didn’t mean anything whatsoever.”
“Yeah! I get your drift partner,” said Perk, frowning. “We sure can’t afford to spend any of our valuable time in the hoosgow here, if we c’n help it. ’Cause things set that way I hope you get busy an’ fix it so we’ll shake the dust o’ this same burgh off our shoes in a hurry. Got the date settled yet, Jack?”
“I shook hands with, and said goodbye to Mr. Adkins this morning, Perk and you are at liberty to figure that out as you please.”
“Then it’s tonight?” asked the other, looking well satisfied with such an enticing programme.
“Wind and weather permitting we’ll clear out soon after twilight settles down on the city and the river,” Jack assured his understudy.
“Me, I’m sittin’ pretty, an’ taking things as they come along, old hoss,” continued Perk. “Let’s perambulate and attend to the crying needs of this high noon hour—the girl told me they expected to have apple dumplings for lunch today an’ that’s one I’d nominate as bein’ among my prime favorites—you know I got a few I really enjoy an’ that’s no lie either.”
“Yes, I know a good many on your list—fact is,” said frank Jack, “if I ran down the whole menu this noon there’d be only a scant few that’s missed being called your especial favorites each in its turn as the wind blew. But just as well we did all the eating while the chance lasts, for only a magician can tell what our bill of fare is going to be during the coming week or two—some weird dishes most likely—boiled owl, fried rattlesnake, baked prairie dog—Heaven knows to what ends we may be reduced.”
“Have a heart, partner, don’t take my healthy appetite away by mentionin’ them terrible dishes. ’Member you promised we’d hire a taxi after lunch, an’ drive all around the city, lampin’ the big sights like the French market, the queer buryin’ places where holes in thick walls take the place o’ graves, on ’count o’ there bein’ so much water in the ground, with the city settin’ so low down, an’ the ol’ Mississippi on one o’ its benders. Then I want to eat Gulf oysters an’ shrimp at one o’ them cute little stands we noticed yesterday afternoon; try a reg’lar Creole dinner tonight at that place Mr. Adkins told us about—after which I’m all done with Orleans, an’ ready to pull up stakes for keeps.”