Bobbie stood inside the hallway, face to face with the redoubtable Pop!
Pop's eyes protruded as they beheld this horrid vision of a bluecoat. A cynical smile played about Burke's pursed lips as he held the sign up toward the old reprobate.
"Can I get a job here? Is there any work for me to do in this employment agency?" he drawled quietly.
Pop acted upon the instinct which was the result of many years' dealings with minions of the law. He had been a contributor to the "cause" back in the days of Boss Tweed. He temporarily forgot that times had changed.
"That's all right, pal," he said, with a sickly smile, "just a little token for the wife and kids."
He handed out a roll of bills which he pressed against Bobbie's hands. The policeman looked at him with a curious squint.
"So, you think that will fix me, do you?"
"Well, if you're a little hard up, old fellow, you know I'm a good fellow...."
Up the stairs there was a scuffle.
Bobbie heard another scream. So, before Pop could utter another sound he pushed the old man aside and rushed up, three steps at a time. The first door he saw was locked—behind it Bobbie knew a woman was being mistreated.