His cunning and, perhaps, fear of Lannigan, led him to deny the theft from Lannigan’s rooms. “See here, Spike,” said Patsy, “you may lie as much as you want to, but I know that you got into Lannigan’s rooms and took those papers and models. I know when you did it, and I saw you coming away from there.” Both the young crooks looked at Patsy curiously, but without replying. They did not know how much Patsy really knew, and they had convinced themselves that they had made the entry into Lannigan’s rooms unknown to any one but themselves. “Now,” continued Patsy, “you can keep up your lying if it will do you any good. You ain’t level with me when you don’t give me the game, after me putting you on. I’m going to know all about it, and you can’t stop me. The only thing is now, are you goin’ to throw me on the deal or not.” “Goin’ to throw nothin’,” said Spike. “Say, how much do you t’ink I ought to strike de old dame for, if I can make de deal?” Patsy could hardly restrain a smile, for in this question Spike was admitting what he had been denying, and that was the possession of the drawings and models. He did not appear to notice it, however, and replied: “Strike her for twelve thousand dollars.” “Gee whiz!” exclaimed both Spike and Bally in a breath. When they had recovered a little from their astonishment, Spike asked: “Will de old dame stand a strike of such big figures?” “Sure,” replied Patsy. In view of the fact that Lannigan had struck Seaman for fifty-five thousand dollars, as Nick had told Patsy, the surprise of the two young crooks over the sum named by Patsy showed clearly to the lad that there was no relation at all existing between Spike and Lannigan, if he had needed such a showing. However, he got up, saying: “You’re going to work the racket on the dame to-morrow?” “Sure,” replied Spike. “Then you’ll come to me for the number and street of her house at nine to-morrow morning?” “Sure.” Patsy did not like the tone and the manner of the crook, and he stood still a moment, looking sternly into the eyes of Spike, and said: “Spike, if you round on me, I’ll spoil your game. I’ll do more; I’ll put you in the jug. You have got no right to throw me down, for I put you next in this game, and I saved your life this afternoon. If you throw me down it’ll be the worst day’s work you ever did for yourself.” He turned from the table at which the two crooks were sitting, and walked out of the saloon without another word or turning to see the effects of his words. Patsy was intent on filling up the gap in the story of the day, which was complete and connected except as to the taking of the drawings and the models from Lannigan’s rooms. That this had been done by Spike Thomas and Bally Morris there was no doubt in the minds of any one having knowledge of the affair. But, after all, it was, at best, suspicion.