CHAPTER II
I LOSE MY FRIEND
“Here, dog-catcher,” shrilled an impish young voice. “Here’s the kennel where the strange dog ran in. I saw him. He hadn’t a collar on.”
I scarcely dared breathe. Some Bowery imp had seen me, and reported me to the police.
“Gringo,” said an unusually resonant man’s voice, “come out. We’re going to raid your kennel.”
Gringo told me afterward he gave his master a wink. Anyway, when the deep voice sounded again, it was to a different tune.
“Officer,” it said carelessly, “do you think a strange dog would get by that face?”
“No I don’t,” said a policeman’s voice. “Run home, young one, and when you dream again, don’t call me.”
“What are you givin’ me?” asked the imp’s voice, and I knew by the twang it was a girl imp. “Gringo’s foolin’ you. He’s the soft dog in the heart spot. See me ram my fist down his throat.”
Gringo told me afterward it was as good as a play to see the cop’s face when impie ran her thin young arm in between his rat-trap jaws. Of course he had to bite her gently. There was nothing else to do.