O’Farrel gasped.
“Here! here! here!” he cried; “don’t be afther tryin’ any av yer funny thricks on me! Oi won’t shtand fer it!”
“There is nothing funny about this; it is sober, serious business. Although you have not been long on the force, Mr. O’Farrel, you have distinguished yourself by your courtly bearing, your utter fearlessness and your politeness to the ladies. You have been a bright and shining star on the New Haven force, shedding brilliant effulgence around you, so that, although in your modesty you were not aware of it, you were regarded with admiration and esteem by a large number of citizens. Whenever you were on night duty, the belated citizen who passed over your beat felt that he was safe, for he knew you were a terror to footpads. In the daytime the ladies went blocks out of their way in order to have you escort them across the street. The moment it was known that you had been injured, there was general sorrow and indignation. Then it was that your friends showed themselves, and they have raised a fund to be paid you as long as you shall be incapacitated for work.”
O’Farrel nearly lost his breath.
“In—inca—— Pwhat’s thot mane?” he gurgled.
“It means as long as you are unable to perform your duties.”
“Is thot it? Oi didn’t know but it wur th’ name av some new disease. You don’t be afther tellin’ me thot th’ citizens av New Haven are goin’ to pay me fer bein’ hurted?”
“Exactly that.”
“Oi’ll belave it whin Oi receive th’ money.”
“Here is your first week’s payment,” said Frank, producing a roll of bright new bills and dangling them before the officer’s eyes.