The house dick was resting his feet and reading the newspaper. He glanced up as Jay came in.
“Hyah, Harris,” Jay said, shaking hands. “How you makin’ out?”
Harris was a little plump guy, who lived in a bowler hat. He shook hands suspiciously. “Well, what is it this time?” he said. “I haven’t been bothered by you for months.”
Jay grinned at him. “I’ve been covering the Tammany Hall trial. Too bad that guy got off.”
Harris grunted. “They’ll get him the next time, you see,” he said. “Now what do you want? I’m busy.”
“All right, all right, keep your shirt on.” Jay grinned at him. “Can you give me a line on a guy named Cruise who hangs out here?”
Harris’s little eyes opened. “Aaah!” he said. “Now, I was wonderin’ when you boys were goin’ to get on to him. What makes you ask?”
Jay shrugged. “Curiosity. I’ve never seen the guy, but I’ve heard about him.”
Harris wasn’t to be drawn. “What have you heard?” he asked, looking cunning.
Jay knew there was only one short cut to getting anything out of Harris. Reluctantly he took out his roll and thumbed off ten bucks. He dangled the notes in front of Harris’s nose. “No questions,” he said.