"Maybe I am. Who is he?"
"Faith, I wish I knowed that. He calls himself Hobo Harry—that same!"
A dead silence followed upon this unlooked-for announcement. The boldness of it surprised Nick, startled Chick, and frightened Ten-Ichi, lest unpleasant results should come of it. But it was evident that Patsy knew his ground, and had prepared for this very moment, for he was cool and smiling, and he appeared to enjoy hugely the effect that his words had had upon the others.
It was Handsome who finally broke the silence that ensued; and he replied:
"That's a name, Pat—if that's your own handle—which isn't spoken lightly around these parts. What do you want with him?"
"By your l'ave, mister, I'll tell that to him when I find him. In the meantime, if youse be afther mindin' yere own business, it wouldn't hurrt ye any. Ye seem to be making of yerself a sort of highcockalorum elegantarium bosski. If ye tell me that ye know Hobo Harry, an' will take me to him, so's I can tell me story to him, mebby I'll answer ye; but not unless."
Again there was silence; and this time it was Nick who brought it to an end.
"Handsome," he said sharply, "who's this other bunch? What I want to know is, are they wid you?"
"They are," was the quick reply. Then he wheeled quickly to Patsy again, and added:
"Come with me—you—if you want to see the chief. I'll take you to him. The rest of you can wait where you are."