But his situation was such that there was nothing for it but to drift helplessly with the tide, with Detective Hook for his rudder, to steer him to whatever haven of safety he might choose.
And the boy did well to place his reliance where he did.
Had he searched New York from end to end, he could not have found a shrewder ally or a better man.
"Good!" exclaimed the detective. "The testimony of two is better than that of one. Would either of you know the three men again?"
"Every one on 'em," said Jerry, decidedly.
"Good again. You saw the man over whom I tumbled in Catherine street this morning, when I tried to catch hold of your coat. Was he one of them?"
"Yes, he was, boss, an' a minute after another—the big feller wot dropped the box—went up the street."
"He did?"
"Sure's yer born. I know'd him the minute I saw him."
"I saw him, too, Mr. Hook," said Frank, eagerly, "and with him——"