"But I do," said I, interposing. "Collins is as keen and genteel a villain as the city holds," said I.
"May be," said the chief; "but the rest of them are only cutthroats, without a particle of grace to save them."
"But they cannot be worse at heart than he," I responded. "He has chosen his crew for his own purposes—fit instruments for his style of villany."
"Well, you think you know him. I hope you do, and can manage him; but I'll tell you about this Payne. They have drained his purse, I think; in fact, I've had him watched, and have found out that he is greatly in their debt. They hold his notes, and he is about to sell property in Kentucky to meet them. At least this is my translation of Hunt's report from him. Hunt "cultivated" him for a while, but we couldn't find out anything from him in regard to the gang's rendezvous."
"Well, what am I to do? Where does he live, this Payne?"
"In West 19th Street, No. —, corner Sixth Avenue. He and his mother board there."
"O, ho," said I; "his mother! Does she know anything about her son's dissipations?"
"Yes; it was she who came to me first about him,—says her heart is broken, and that something must be done to save her son. She can learn but little from him; but says he's away a great deal all night, and sleeps mostly during the day; that she fears he's gambled away most of his property, etc."
"Then she can be approached upon the subject. Well, I see the way clear. I must make his acquaintance without his knowing why. I may make such use of your name as I please?"