"Jim Huskin," he murmured. "I wonder if he has anything new on?"
Feeling that Shotmore and Robert must have given up the pursuit by this time, he descended again and hurried after the man he had recognized.
"Hullo, Jim!" he said, as he caught the other by the arm.
Jim Huskin started, half fearing that it was a detective who had accosted him, for he was wanted for several petty crimes--indeed the two rascals were well matched, and had committed many a wrong deed together.
"Andy!" replied Jim Huskin. "How are you?"
"Nothing to brag of," answered Andy Cross.
"Then you haven't been striking it rich lately."
"On the contrary, I've had mighty poor luck. Have you got another cigar, Jim?" He said this for Huskin was smoking.
"No. I got this out of a gent at the Palmer House. I tried to work him for a loan, but it was no go."
"Then I reckon you haven't any more money than I."
"I've got a quarter," answered Jim Huskin, frankly.
"You are exactly five cents richer than yours truly."
Both sharpers laughed at this. With them it was "easy come, easy go," and temporary poverty did not bother them.
"Perhaps I am five cents richer," went on Jim Huskin. "But I owe my hotel three weeks' board."
"It's a wonder they let you stay that long."
"I've got a well-filled trunk in my room." And Huskin chuckled and winked one eye.
"No, paving stones--although they are about the same thing. Say, when the hotel keeper opens that he'll have enough to build on another addition."
"He won't build it on to accommodate such guests as you."
"I don't suppose he will--and I don't care."
"I am behind two weeks with my landlady. She's sharp after me--but I don't care. I can't go back, even if I wanted to."
"Yes. One of the boarders got a money order and I tried to get it cashed for him."
"No, it didn't--and what's more, the man and a boy came close to having me arrested. I'll tell you what, Jim, I would like to get that boy in some spot where I could go through his pockets."
"He's got a good silver watch, and I saw him cash money orders at the post office amounting to one hundred and fifty dollars."
"Phew! that would make a nice haul. Where is the boy?"
"I don't believe he's far off. I left him near the post office."
"He would recognize me and make trouble."