Mistrust of his ex-employer’s intentions would have caused the boy to ignore this summons and take to his heels in panic, if Melba had not come to the window, and, standing beside Carroll, smiled down encouragingly to him.
The sight of his fair champion reassured Miggsy. His heart beating wildly, he crossed the street, entered the Bulletin Building, and came very sheepishly into the presence of the man whom he had wronged.
“Mr. Carroll,” he began stammeringly, “I—I don’t know how——”
“That’s all right, Miggsy,” the proprietor of the Bulletin interrupted gruffly. “Never mind trying to explain. Just forget all about this unfortunate incident, and get back to your work. For the rest of the day, Miggsy,” he added, “I want you to stand on guard out in the hall, and watch very closely whoever goes upstairs to the photo-engraving room. If Neilson has any visitors, notify me promptly.”
Hawley grinned as he listened to these instructions. “You seem to expect callers, Fred,” he remarked dryly.
“Well, I think it quite likely that we shall get some,” Carroll replied.[Pg 55]
CHAPTER XXV.
BEFORE PRESS TIME.
Young Mr. Gale, with an exceedingly peevish expression upon his handsome countenance, dropped into police headquarters with the intention of having a little talk with his friend, Chief Hodgins.
He was greatly disappointed when the patrolman on guard at the head of the stairway told him that the chief was not in.
“He’s taking a day off,” the man explained. “He’s gone out of town, I believe; but we expect him back to-morrow morning. Can’t your business wait until then?”