“It means that I have a warrant here for the arrest of Moses Flood. Where is he?”
“Arrest of Flood, eh?” rejoined Nick, with a derisive laugh. “Why the devil didn’t you come in on horseback to serve it?”
Gerry, who was an impulsive fellow, though a very capable officer, resented the remark with an ugly snarl.
“None of your durned business!” he cried angrily. “I’d have come in an automobile if I’d wanted to.”
“You might have come in a balloon, Gerry, for all I should have cared,” retorted Nick.
“Oh, is that so?”
“Flood’s not here, as you may see for yourself. It’s a bit early for him to show up. Come down at this hour of the night, Gerry, and you’ll find him. There are but few of us owls out in the sunlight.”
“Evidently you’re looking for trouble, mister,” snapped Gerry, with a threatening nod at Nick. “I happen to know that Flood is here, for Peters said so at the street door. He’s not so far away but that——”
“Stop a bit!”
“Not I!” thundered Gerry, drawing a revolver. “If you interfere with me, my man. I’ll let daylight into you.”