"Won't he? Well, we'll see about that. Anyway, he's got two kids at his home now. I sent them there last night so that he could start the Orphanage at once at Ash Point."
"You did!"
"Yes, and sent a note along, asking him how he liked town rats. My, they were a tough pair of youngsters, about as dirty as you'll find anywhere. 'Sloppy' Sue's kids, you know."
"Ho, ho, that's a good one," Whittles roared. "Have you heard from Abner since?"
"Sure. He did me a great favor this morning, and that's why I'm so friendly to him now."
"What did he do?"
"Walked into the office of The Live Wire, and smashed up Joe Preston so badly that he's in the hospital now getting patched up."
Whittles' eyes fairly started out of his head at this astounding piece of news, and he dropped his cards upon the table.
"What was it all about?" he at length found voice to ask.
"Oh, merely over that article in the paper about Mrs. Andrews running away with Ikey Dimock's chauffeur. I got the news from the police station late last night, and phoned it to the Wire. I knew that Joe would make the most of it, and get something in return. I'm mighty glad he did, for he's been very bumptious of late, and has rapped me pretty hard. Abner's saved me a nasty job."