“Good: do you know where Black Nathan lives!”
“Um hum!”
“Can you take me to Nancy Kaiser’s lushing ken?”
“Um hum; Charlie knows.”
“Then, Charlie, you shall have that star soon.”
And Vernet turns to his men. “I will take this fellow for guide, and look up these places: they are most important,” he says rapidly. “I shall be less noticed in company with this fellow than if alone. Riley, I leave you in command until I return. Remain here, and keep the fellows all together; some of them are coming now.”
Riley’s quick ear detects the approach of stealthy feet, and as Vernet shuts his lantern, and utters a low “Come, Charlie,” the first installment of the Raiders appears, a few paces away.
Seizing Vernet by the arm, Silly Charlie lowers his head and glides down the alley, as stealthily as an Indian.
“Charlie,” whispers Vernet, imperatively, “you must be very cautious. I want you to take me first to where Black Nathan lives.”
“Hoop la!” replies Charlie in subdued staccato; “I’m takin’ ye; commalong.”