“Won’t it keep?” objected Blue. “I’ve important business on hand and can’t stop—”
“Yes, you can! Come on!” He started across the street, away from the crowd of grinning boys.
“What is it? You see, I’m due at Hotel Royal at quarter past four, and—Hold on there, Joseph! I’ll be back in a jiffy!”
“You’ll have time for anything when I’m through with ye,” said the officer grimly.
“What do you mean?” cried Blue, startled by Fitzpatrick’s manner. “Is Doodles—?”
“He’s all right, poor little kid!” The officer shook his head sadly. “I’ve just been up to see him.”
“Oh! then he told you—”
“He did! And it broke me all up! Blue Stickney, you’ve got to take my word for it, without any explanation! Don’t ye waste a cent on that doctor up at the hotel!”
“Wh—what?” Blue stammered.
“I mean what I say! Give him a wide berth, and keep whist! Tom Fitzpatrick knows what he’s talking about! I started to tell the kid, but it was too much for me—I couldn’t do it!”