_ CHAPTER XXXIV
The man drew closer to the detective, and said:
"You don't understand how the thing works."
"You want to see one of the detectives?"
"Yes."
"Well, it's easy enough; go to any of the deputy collectors or any of the inspectors, and they will give you the names of several."
"That's neither here nor there; do you want to make a few dollars?"
"Yes."
"All right, I'm going to give you a chance."
"Go ahead."
"I want to see one particular officer."
"Which particular officer?"
"Vance."
"You want to see Vance?"
"Yes."
"Go and tell the collector."
"That won't do."
"Why not?"
"I've been sold once, and this time I'm going to work my racket differently; do you know Vance by, sight?"
"Do you mean Spencer Vance?"
"Yes."
"I know him, and I'll introduce you to him if you want me to do so."
"I do not want you to introduce me."
"What do you want?"
"I want you to point him out to me."
"I haven't time to run around to point him out to you."
"I can make it worth your while."
"For how much?"
"Fifty dollars."
"I don't understand what you're getting at."
"I can't explain, but I'll give you fifty dollars to point that man out to me."
"You will give me fifty dollars?"
"Yes."
"I can earn that fifty dollars easy."
"I don't care how easy you earn it."
"But I don't understand your game."
"I've told you. I've got some valuable information--some 'tips' that Vance will pay big money to 'nip'; but I want my own way and time of opening up the subject to him, and I mean to make sure that my money is good."
"Why are you so anxious to deal with Vance?"
"I've been told he has got the inside track with the Government, and that he is a square man."
"That's the reason you want him?"
"Yes."
"And you will pay me fifty dollars to point him out to you?"
"I will."
"Must I wait for my money until you get your rake?"
"No."
"You will pay me right down?"
"I will pay you the money two minutes after you point the man out to me."
"Do you want an introduction?"
"No."
"Come along; I will put you on to him right away."
The two men started over toward the ferries.
"Will you stand a carriage?" asked the detective.
"What do you want of a carriage?"
"I must get back to go on duty."
"We don't want any carriage."
The man was struck with a shade of suspicion.
"Where are we to go?"
"To Ludlow Street."
The man started back and turned pale. "To Ludlow Street!" he ejaculated.
"Yes."
"What do you mean?"
"Come with me to Ludlow Street, and I will point out Vance to you."
"See here, Johnny, you are up to a smart trick, you are."
"Am I?"
"Yes."
"What is it you're up to, my friend?"
The man looked around. No one was near. The detective was studying the rascal's movements.
The fellow suddenly drew a club; but he was matched.
"Hold on! What do you mean?" he demanded.
"What do you mean? Drop that club."
"Who are you?"
"I'm the man you're looking for, Johnny."
"The man I'm looking for?"
"Yes."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Vance."
"Oh, go 'long!" exclaimed the ruffian, in a derisive tone.
"I'm your man! Now, what information have you got for me?"
"You can't play me," said the fellow.
"No; nor can you play me. Listen: how much are you to get for laying me out?"
The man turned pale and made no answer; he glanced backward; it was evident he had reached the conclusion that it was time for him to leave.
"Don't think of going, Johnny, I want you to answer my question."
"You are not Vance."
"I'll play Vance for you, so sling out your game, Johnny."
The man took a step back.
"Stand where you are," came the command, "or I'll make you."
"Are you really Vance?"
"Come up to Ludlow Street, and I'll prove who I am."
"I ain't going that way."
"Oh yes, you are; you've run right into my grip, and I'm going to shut you in with the rest of them, unless--"
The detective stopped.
"Unless what?"
"Unless you open up and tell me the whole story."
The fellow had a wicked eye. He saw that he had run into a snap, and he was determined to take a desperate chance to get out of it.
"I'm in for it," he remarked.
The detective had been watching the varying changes of expression upon the man's face, and dropped to the fact that the fellow contemplated some desperate expedient.
"I reckon, old man, the best thing for you to do is to own up, make a clean breast of it."
"Are you really Vance, or have I run against some other Government dandy?"
"I am Vance."
"I wish I were sure, old man, and I'd put you on the biggest lay of your life."
"You're safe to give me any information you possess."
"But if I let on to you I want to make sure of my rake in."
"About as sure as I am for the fifty dollars."
The man laughed, and said:
"Well, this is a nice joke all round."
"Yes, a nice joke," repeated the detective in a peculiarly significant tone.
"But," said the man. "I have some valuable information for Vance."
"And so have I some valuable information for you, Mister Man, and now throw up your hands."
"You are not in earnest," said the man, and he approached a step nearer.
"You will find out I am in earnest."
"Do you really intend to take me to Ludlow Street?"
"I do."
"Not to-night," exclaimed the man, and he sprung upon the detective, but he might as well have leaped head first at a hornet's nest.
The detective was ready for the man, and he brought him to his knees upon the grass, and an instant later the darbies were on him.
The man squealed like a pig, but the conviction was forced upon his mind that he had met Vance. _