While he was working on the footpad I telephoned Langton, got hold of him and asked him to come there, which he said he would do at once. Just as the doctor was through with me, Langton walked in. I never saw so surprised an expression on his face as that when his eyes fell on my thug. I saw at once that he knew him. But as usual he said nothing. The thug, too, evidently knew he was an officer; for he gave me one swift glance of fear. I, however, allayed his suspicion. "It's all right," I said, "if you tell me the truth. Who is he?" I asked Langton. He smiled. "Red Talman. What've you been up to?" he asked. "Nothin'." "I brought him here to have his wound dressed, and he's going directly. I have promised him." He nodded. "Coll McSheen put him on to a little job and he bungled it, that's all." Langton actually looked pleased; but I could not tell whether it was because his warning had been verified or because I had escaped. "'T was that other skunk," muttered Talman sullenly. "Who? Dutch?" The footpad coughed. "Don' know who 'twas." "You don't? You don't know who I am either?" The man gave him a keen look of inspection, but he evidently did not know him. Langton leaned over and dropped his voice. "Did you ever know--?" I could not catch the name. But the thug's eyes popped and he turned white under his dirt. "I didn't have nothin' 't all to do with it. I was in Canady," he faltered. Langton's eyes suddenly snapped. "I know where you were. This gentleman's a friend of mine," he said. "He saved my life once, and if you ever touch him, I'll have you--" He made a gesture with his hand to his throat. "Understand? And not all the bosses in the city will save you. Understand?" "I ain't goin' to touch him. I got nothin' against him." "You'd better not have," said Langton, implacably. "Come here." He took him out into the doctor's front office and talked to him for some little time while I told the doctor of my adventure. "Who is Langton when he is at home?" I asked him. He chuckled. "He is the best man for you to have in this city if Coll McSheen is your enemy. He is a retainer of Mr. Leigh's." Just then Langton and the thug came in. "Say, I'm sorry I took a hand in that job," said the latter. "But that skunk that runned away, he put 't up, and he said 's another friend of his got him to do it." "Coll McSheen?" "I don't know who 'twas," he persisted. I glanced at Langton, and he just nodded. "Good-by. If ever you wants a job done----" "Get out," said Langton. "Don't you give 't to that other skunk. I didn't know. Good-by. Obliged to you." And he passed through the door which Langton held open for him. "It's all right," said the latter as he closed the door. "You had a close graze--that's one of the worst criminals in the country. He don't generally bungle a job. But he's all right now. But there are others." "My dog saved my life--he got his throat." "That's a good dog. Better keep him close to you for a while." XXVII