About one hour after the brief but violent sidewalk encounter already described, a small and ragged street boy entered Chief Trask’s quarters, cast a searching eye over the group of men who were assembled there, and then walked quickly over to Bruce Decker, who was at work, can in hand, oiling the wheels of the chief’s wagon.
“Is dis your name, boss?” he inquired, as he handed to him a letter, enclosed in a dirty yellow envelope, on which was written, in sprawling, uncertain characters, the words:
Bruce Decker,
In Care of Hook and Ladder.
The young fire lad opened the message, and deciphered the following sentence:
“Cum down and meet me at Lyonse’s, and eat supper to-night. Wot time will you come?
Skinny.”
“Dere’s an answer ter dat,” said the boy, as Bruce finished reading the note.
“Dere’s an answer ter dat,” said the boy.—Page [286].