The tough made the strongest protest in his own language that he had no idea of going back on Patsy, and the young detective slipped away.
He did not go far, however, but, concealing himself in a place where he could not be observed, watched to see the two toughs come from the drinking place where he had left them.
They came out in a short time and went in the direction of Thirty-fourth Street, turning to the east.
Patsy slipped after them and cautiously followed down the block in Thirty-fourth Street to see them meet, on the next corner, a young lad of their own kind, not more than sixteen or seventeen, who told something to Spike which gratified him to such an extent that he grasped Bally Morris’ hand and shook it hard as he capered a clumsy dance on the sidewalk.
The two then turned on their heels, walking in the direction whence they had come.
Patsy was put at some difficulty to get out of sight in time, and only did so by hiding behind a signboard leaning against a grocery store.
The two passed on to Third Avenue, Patsy in fairly close pursuit.
Reaching Third Avenue, Bally Morris made an inspection of the drinking saloon on the corner and soon came out shaking his head at Spike.
The two then walked up Third Avenue rather leisurely, followed by Patsy, until Forty-second Street was reached. Here again Bally Morris went into the liquor saloons on the corner and came back to report to Spike standing on the upper corner.
The place was not an easy one for Patsy to keep the two in sight.