"But what in thunder was he doing behind those palms? That wasn't a
very sensible bit of detective work, was it?"

"Most detectives is asses. He was hidin' there just to earn his
money. To-morrow he could go to th' juke an' tell him how slick he'd
been in hearin' w'at you said to th' young lady w'en you thought
nobody was listenin'. Was he hid near a window?'

"Just below one--almost against the casing."

"Easy sailin'. He figgered out that some time durin' th' night you
an' her would set in that window an' there you are. See? But I
wonder w'at he'll say to th' juke to-morrow?"

"I hate to give this job up," growled Phil. "But I must get back to
the hotel. The villain cut me with a knife."

By this time they were in front of the Garrison home, and in an
undertone he bade Turk walk on and wait for him at the corner below.

"Did he escape?" cried Dorothy from the steps.

"He gave us the slip, confound him, Dorothy."

"I'm glad, really I am. What could we have done with him if he had
been caught? But are you not coming in?"

"Oh, not to-night, thank you. Can't you have some one bring out my
hat and coat?" He was beginning to feel faint and sick, and
purposely kept the bloody arm from the light.