The officer looked at me—“Newspaper man, I s’pose?”

“Yes,” I said.

“What paper?”

“The American.”

“It’s the best ever.”

“I think so—possibly with a few exceptions.”

“She’s the queerest lot yet, is this kid,” and the big bluecoat jerked his thumb toward the girl.

I suggested that we go to the restaurant across the way and get a bite of something to eat.

“I’m not hungry,” said the officer, “but the youngsters look as if they hadn’t et since day before yesterday.”

We lined up at the counter.