“No; it’s the next corner. Louie’s place is halfway down the block,” the reporter informed him.
“Then I think it would be a good idea to stop the car right here,” said the Camera Chap. “I hardly think it would be a wise plan to ride right up to the door. The sound of our motor might scare Officer Horgan into dropping his pinochle hand.”
“No need to be afraid of that,” declared Parsons, with a laugh. “It would take more than an automobile to faze Red Horgan. He’s a son-in-law of one of the biggest politicians in the county, and has such a strong pull that I guess he wouldn’t care if Chief Hodgins himself came into the back room of the café and caught him playing cards when he ought to be patrolling his beat. I’ve often heard him boast that there isn’t a superior officer in the department that isn’t afraid to call him down, no matter what he does—that if any of them dared to get gay with him, he’d mighty soon show them where they got off at.”
“Must be a pleasant sort of chap,” said Hawley, with an ironical smile. “It’ll be a genuine pleasure to publish his picture, eh, Fred?”
“But surely you’ve no intention of going into Dutch Louie’s place to get it?” Carroll protested anxiously. “That’s out of the question.”
The Camera Chap looked astonished. “Why out of the question? Didn’t you just hear Parsons say that anybody can get into the place?”
“Oh, yes, I haven’t any doubt that you could get in, all right; but if you were rash enough to try to take a flash-light picture inside I rather guess you’d have some difficulty in getting out. Dutch Louie’s few patrons are a pretty tough bunch. They’d probably kick in a few of your ribs before Officer Horgan placed you under arrest for taking photographs without a license. Better pass this one up, old man, and look for something a trifle easier.”
But Hawley had no intention of foregoing this opportunity to procure a snapshot of Mr. Red Horgan in the rôle of a pinochle player. He realized that there were difficulties in the way of his getting the picture, but he was determined to make the attempt.
“It’ll be a gem!” he declared enthusiastically. “If I can get it and it turns out all right, Fred, just imagine what a hit it will make with the readers of the Bulletin. Stop the car, please, Parsons. Here we are at the corner. I’m going to get out.”
Carroll clutched at his coat to restrain him, but the Camera Chap laughingly shook off his hold, and got out of the automobile.