“Maybe that’s Rod!” he whispered.
CHAPTER XVI
THE WORM DIGGER
Somehow Bob Dexter thought that the game wasn’t going to fall into their hands as easily as all that It would be too good to be true. Of course they had trailed after the suspect through a long, dreary evening, and at much personal discomfort But here, in front of them, it being only necessary for the chief to step forward and arrest him, was the man answering the description of the free spender.
He had betrayed himself, and yet—Bob could not credit their good luck.
“Never say die, boys! Set ’em up in th’ other alley! I got money to spend an’ I’m spendin’ it! Whoop-la!”
It was a characteristic attitude of one in his condition.
“We won’t have any trouble with him, Bob,” whispered the chief. “He’ll come along with us for the asking.”
“Unless some of his friends, or would-be friends object,” remarked Bob. For, as he spoke, the doors of several dark hovel-like buildings opened, letting out dim shafts of light. And in this illumination stood half-revealed, sinister figures—men and women, too, who were on the lookout for just such a gay and reckless spender as this foolish fellow proclaimed himself to be.
“Oh, I’ll handle them all right,” said the chief.