Not a mere row, but a downright fight, in which lives would be taken; and if such a thing was to occur, Chick wanted to be in it.
He knew that Barney could not possibly reach the place much under two hours, and so he settled himself to wait, prepared to take the shadow business in hand himself, if Gentleman George should leave the Rat-Hole before the arrival of the man from headquarters.
An hour passed, and Chick, from the place of concealment that he had selected among a lot of debris that was lying upon the wharf, saw no sign of life.
But a half hour later, as he was beginning to hope that Barney would reach the scene in time, after all, he saw the chief of the river-thieves come forth, closely followed by Red Rob.
They came upon the pier, and sauntered along until they reached time very pile behind which the detective was concealed.
Gentleman George seated himself upon a piece of an old box, and leisurely lighted a cigar.
“Talk away, now, Rob,” he said, “for I haven't much time. You have something important to say to me, I think.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I have something important to say to you, but my communication can wait, I will hear you first.”
“It's about the steel casket,” blurted forth Red Rob.