The detective saw him.

Still he did not move.

No change took place in his countenance.

Not a muscle moved.

Brockey looked around the back room.

His eyes fell on Carter, whose eyes were bent on the paper.

Brockey started, bent forward, and a change took place in the expression of his evil face. He uttered an ugly oath and stepped up to Carter, exclaiming:

“Why, Mugsey Donovan, when did you get out?”

Carter looked up, smiled inanely—a weak, silly, maudlin grin!—and replied:

“How are you, Brockey? Wot’s dot youse said? Sit down an’ have a ball wid me?”