The random assertion struck some of the blood from the young man's cheek, but he said good-humoredly: "Well, I'm glad to hear it. But tell me who you are, and what I can do for you."
The man's face, which had grown rather loose and mobile, instantly became business-like and alert.
"I'm 'Lije Stobo, Mr. Varney—Hackley'll tell you. I was hired a week ago by Mr. Maginnis to watch trains for a certain party kind of expected to show up here." His voice, already very low, dropped several tones lower, as he hurriedly went on: "Well, Mr. Varney, the party come in on Number 14 just now. It ain't five minutes ago since he stepped down on the deepo platform—disguised in some pretty good glad rags, he was, but o' course we spotted him right off, and—"
"Higginson?"
The man nodded. "My partner was with me—Callery—and we shadows our party to the Palace Hotel where he takes Room 41 and sneaks upstairs. Callery's sitting in the lobby now, and I runs out to take the tip to Mr. Maginnis—but Lord bless you, Mr. Varney—" He pointed out the open door in the direction of the little speaker's stand where Peter sat impregnably walled in on all sides by dense human masses. "It might be an hour before I could get to him through that. I was up against it, f'r he'd sure kill me if I let our party give us the slip again, and then I heard 'em all cheerin' you, and thinks I, there's my man, and—"
Varney interrupted gratefully but briskly.
"You did exactly right, Mr. Stobo. I have long been anxious to see Mr.—that is, this party. In fact," he added, putting on his hat with significant firmness, "it is because of some business that I have with this party that Mr. Maginnis asked you to look out for him."
Mr. Stobo's eyes ardently approved the young man's readiness for "trouble."
"Well, sir—that's took a load off'n my mind, I tell you! I'll just skip on—will I, Mr. Varney?—and try to get the tip to Mr. Maginnis, as my orders was. He was that set on interviewin' this here party—but Lor', he'd give him to you, same's himself. Only—are you sure you're feelin' up to it to-day, Mr. Varney? If mebbe you'd let me'r Callery go along now, just in case, y' know—"
Varney gave an answer which Mr. Stobo found completely reassuring. At the same time, he rapidly produced his pocket-book and pulled out a bill of alluring complexion.