twenty-five cents."

Jimmy glared upward, but what he saw and the tightening of the hand on his
collar were convincing. He drew from his pocket five nickels, dropping
them into the outstretched hand of Douglas, who passed them to Mickey, the
soiled fingers of whose left hand closed over them, while his right
snatched off his cap. Fear was on his face, excitement was in his eyes,
triumph was in his voice, while a grin of comradeship curved his lips.

"Many thanks, Boss," he said. "And would you add to them by keeping that
strangle hold 'til you give me just two seconds the start of him?" He
wheeled, darting through the crowd.

"Mickey!" cried Douglas Bruce. "Mickey, wait!"

But Mickey was half a block away turning into an alley. The man's grip
tightened a twist.

"You'll find Mickey's admonition good," he said. "I advise you to take it.
'Be square!' And two things: first, I've got an eye on the Mickeys of this
city. If I ever again find you imposing on him or any one else, I'll put
you where you can't. Understand? Second, who is he?"

"Mickey!" answered the boy.

"Mickey who?" asked Douglas.

"How'd I know?" queried Jimmy.

"You don't know his name?" pursued Douglas.