“I suppose it couldn’t be helped, but better luck next time.”
The man went in one direction and Lannigan in another.
The direction of the latter led him to the front of the City Hall, at the bottom step of which he stopped, and then, as if thinking better of his intention to enter the hall, turned and went up the street.
If he was aware that he was being followed by the two young men, he gave no indication of it in his manner, but walked along steadily without looking behind him.
He went on until a drinking saloon was reached which was, as Chick knew, a favorite resort for sporting men.
He entered this as if familiar to the place and the two, Chick and Patsy, undisguised as they were, entered also.
Lannigan, on entering, stood still a moment or two, looking over the room. Seeing two persons standing on one side, he went to them and entered into conversation with them.
They were too far away for Chick and Patsy, who had gone to the bar, to hear.
But, a moment later, the three came to the bar, also, and standing near Chick and Patsy, ordered drinks.
The two young detectives overheard Lannigan say, as if it were the conclusion of his previous conversation: