CHAPTER XXIV. A NEW MOVE. When they were out in the street, Chick said to Patsy: “Something’s coming off to-night at that place.” “And something’s going to be brought in a closed carriage,” added Patsy. “And we have got to be on hand to see what it is,” added Chick. The man with whom they had been talking had lagged behind a bit and now came from the saloon and joined them. “Say,” he said, “you haven’t said whether you was fly-cops or not. Well, I don’t care whether you are or not, but I give it to you straight that Dempsey stopped me to ask who you were.” “What did you tell him?” asked Patsy. “I told him you were friends of mine that I had brought in for a drink here.” Chick and Patsy had no reason to disbelieve the man, but, nevertheless, they felt, if he had not told them the truth, that by this time Lannigan had become suspicious of them. However, acting upon the notion that the man had done nothing to arouse suspicions of themselves, they asked him to step down the street with them and, while they went into a doorway, to keep an eye on the saloon. Dodging into this doorway, they made a rapid change, thus confessing to the man that they were, indeed, detectives. “There’s a five-dollar bill for you,” said Chick, “if you will give us a little help.” “I’m with you,” said the man. “Well, then,” said Chick, “we know who your swell gambler is. That’s the fellow we are following.” At that moment Lannigan appeared in front of the saloon and alone. “Get on the other side of the street,” said Chick to the man, “and follow after him. We will be behind.” The man went off readily enough and Chick and Patsy followed some little distance after. “I put that man to work,” said Chick, “so that he wouldn’t go back to the saloon and blab.” Lannigan moved rapidly and it was with difficulty that they could keep him in view. His way took him to a large department store in the lower part of the city, into which he hurried, going at once upstairs to the ladies’ parlor. He had been followed by Patsy, as he went through the store, Chick remaining with the man outside. To Patsy’s surprise, Lannigan’s purpose in going to that place was to meet Mrs. Ladew. He sat down with that person on a circular cushioned seat that surrounded a pillar, and engaged her in earnest conversation. On the other side of this circular cushion sat an elderly gentleman engaged in reading his newspaper. The interview between Lannigan and Mrs. Ladew was brief. Whatever passed between them, unheard, of course, by Patsy, was most disagreeable to Mrs. Ladew, but she yielded, apparently, to whatever was urged by Lannigan. Having obtained her consent, Lannigan arose to his feet, as if to go away, but stood a moment longer to talk with Mrs. Ladew. The elderly gentleman, rising and folding his paper, sauntered leisurely toward the door of the parlor and passing Patsy, said: “Put Chick on Lannigan and come back here to me.” Patsy gasped: