Francois conducted the lads to a section of the city where every indication betokened it to be of the less desirable class. The houses were old and the streets were not well kept. There were few people abroad at that hour and these were evidently men who followed no regular employment, but gained a precarious living from odd jobs.
Noting the character of the passersby and the section of the city, the lads commented rather unfavorably in that regard. Their distrust was not lessened when they observed the character of the restaurant which they finally entered. Francois apologized for the place, but stated that it was the best available at that late hour. It was too late to go elsewhere.
"Poulet au champignons!" cried Jimmie, glancing over the greasy menu. "Is that chicken with champagne or champagne with chicken?"
"It is fowl with a mushroom sauce," explained Francois.
"All right, send in five orders of that!" assented Jimmie.
"What shall we others eat?" Jack inquired, teasingly.
"That order was for the whole bunch!" declared Jimmie, indignantly. "You don't suppose I'm going to eat five hens, do you?" he added.
A waiter in a soiled apron presently appeared and received their orders with an injured air. Evidently he did not relish being roused from his inactivity. Scarcely had his shuffling feet carried him kitchenwards before a man entered the place and engaged in conversation with the cashier. Jack, keenly alert because of their surroundings, noticed that the newcomer seemed to be indicating in a guarded way the lads seated at the table.
"I'll bet," he whispered to his companions, "that we get 'held up' when we leave this place. That fellow looks suspicious to me!"
The boys stole surreptitious glances at the man indicated and all agreed with Jack that he was evidently a low character planning to attack them as they left the place. They were confident, however, that nothing in the way of robbery would be attempted in the restaurant.