Average Jones laughed. “Of course they did. Some day New York will find out that ‘the finest police force in the world’ is the biggest sham outside the dime museum. Except in the case of crimes by the regular, advertised criminals, they’re as helpless as babies. Didn’t you take any other precautions?”
“Oh, yes. I reported the attempt to Judge Elverson. He sent a secret service man over to live with me. Then I got a commission out in Denver. When I came back, about a month ago, Judge Elverson gave me the two dogs.”
“Two?”
“Yes. Rags and Tatters.”
“Where’s Tatters?”
“Dead. By the same road as Rags.”
“Killed at your place in Flatbush?”
“No. Right here in this room.”
Average Jones became suddenly very much worried about the second button of his coat. Having satisfied himself of its stability, he drawled, “Er—both of—er—them?”
“Yes. Ten days apart.”