“Now there’ll be a picnic,” he thought, wondering how the attempt to rob the young mechanic would be made.
He did not think Gilmore would allow any work of the kind on the premises, for it would be certain to become known, and would direct the attention of the police to the place, a thing which the burglar could by no means afford to have done.
Nick’s chop was finished by this time, but he ordered a cup of coffee and a cigar, and sat there smoking and waiting.
Before long one of the toughs walked over to where the young mechanic was sitting.
“I’ve just been strikin’ de boss fer a lunch,” he said, with a grin, “an’ I couldn’t make it stick. Can’t you help me out?”
The mechanic motioned the bum to take a chair, and beckoned to a waiter.
“Fill him up,” he said, shortly. Nick started at the sound of his voice, and then a pleased smile crept over his face.
In a moment the seeming mechanic took out his money again to pay for what the tough had ordered.
The tough sprang from his chair and made a grab for the roll of bills.
The next moment he was one of the most surprised men in Chicago.