“If it don't take me off my beat.”
“Have you got an alarm box and telephone near here?”
“Yes.”
“Go to it, call up headquarters, and tell them to repeat your message to New York headquarters.”
“All right.”
“Here is the message.”
“Fire away.”
“Send Barney to Erie Basin, Brooklyn, at once. The quicker the better. He must bring bundle containing two suits of old clothes, a river- man's kit. Also set of burglars' tools. Have him find policeman—what's your name?”
“Nat Thompson.”
“Policeman Nat Thompson, of the—th Precinct, for further instructions.”