“See here, Bess,” said Merton. “These two friends of mine are on the same lay that I am. They want to know all about a woman traveling with Lannigan. I don’t know why, and I ain’t asking. And you don’t want to ask why, either. But if you can help them, you’ll be helping me.” “And the price will be the same from me,” said Chick, “as it is from Merton when you are working for him.” “The price isn’t much,” said Bess, with a laugh. “It’s only a tenner for an evening’s work. I think I can help you, but I don’t know. I’ll try.” “Then I’ll pay you now and take the chances,” said Chick, thrusting a ten-dollar bill into the hands of the girl. “Whether I can help you depends whether the girl with Lannigan is known in Philadelphia, where Lannigan originally came from. A girl will come in here some time to-night who will know her, if she is known in that city. If she does, she’ll tell me.” The little party of four then gave themselves up to the enjoyment of their supper, which had been ordered by Chick. In the meantime, the room gradually filled until all the tables were occupied; the place became redolent with tobacco smoke and gay with the chatter of voices and laughter. As they watched the other table, they saw a man make his way through the room, and, going to Lannigan, lean over him and whisper. Lannigan seemed to be much annoyed, but, nevertheless, he took a bill from his pocket and handed it to the man, who went out. Patsy said to Chick: “I flung that fellow out of the door at Sanborn’s this morning.” “Was he the one who came with the flowers?” “Yes. He’s the one who cried out when he saw Nick Carter.” “He’s a New York crook,” said Merton. “A second-story man,” said Bess. As she said this, she jumped to her feet and began to beckon to some one who had entered the saloon. The one to whom she was beckoning was a rather flashily dressed young woman who was of a party of three women and two young men. “Hello!” exclaimed Merton. “There’s my man, and since he’s come in, I’m neglecting no business.” The party found a table at the other side of the room, which had just been vacated. The girl whose attention Bess had been trying to attract, finally, seeing Bess, came over to her and Bess asked: “Is that party very dear to you, over there?” “Oh, no,” said the girl. “I’m only trying to make it very dear for the two willie boys in tow.” “Are they friends of yours?” asked Bess. “No; they’re friends of the other two girls. They just roped me in.” “Shake them and join us,” said Bess. “I want to ask you something.” The girl went back to the party. Apparently excusing herself, she came back and sat down at the table as requested by Bess. “Alice,” said Bess, “look at that man and woman over on that side.” Bess pointed out the couple the party had under observation. “Jimmy Lannigan,” said the girl called Alice. “He’s been rolling about the Tenderloin for three nights. But he’s spending no money except on the woman that is with him.”