"There have been cases in New York, too," the boy said, "that they haven't found out yet!" "It doesn't matter what the case is--you can never prove it on them. Look at that young girl, a missionary, who was killed! And that's only one of dozens. And they can shoot, and shoot straight, too!" he added. "Look at the shooting galleries," the two were walking down the Bowery, "they've been kept going for years by the practice of the Tong marksmen. You'd never think it, but some of those Highbinders could make our crack shots do their best to keep an even score. Well," he broke off, "here we are at Mott Street. Bob," he called to the policeman across the street, "here's a young fellow wants to go into Chinatown." "Sorry, sir," said the other, a great big burly fellow, coming forward to meet them, "but orders are strict. No one going in at all, unless on business." "It is on business, officer," said Hamilton. "I'm a census agent and the Inspector told me to check up some names on this schedule." The policeman took it and looked it over. "I think those are all right, sir," he said, "I know most of 'em by name. But that's one of those underground places and we don't any of us go down there any more than we have to. Of course when we have to go--why, that's another matter. I think, sir, you can take it those names are about all right." "I don't feel that I could make a report like that," Hamilton answered. "I was sent to check it up personally, and don't you think I'd better do it? There's a chap there," he added, pointing to a young fellow standing a few yards up the street, "he doesn't look Chinese." "He's a reporter, sir," the policeman said, "an' he's like us,--it's part of his business to take chances." "Mine, too," said Hamilton; "only he represents a newspaper and I'm here for the government." The policeman scratched his chin in perplexity. "Do you wait here," he said, "and I'll call up the station." He came back in a minute or two. "The lieutenant says it'll be all right," he said. "I told him that I hadn't seen any sign of trouble--not that that means anything," he added, "but if you wait a minute the other man will be up this way; he's patrollin' the streets and you can go along with him." "How many of you are there here?" asked the boy. "Generally half a dozen in these two or three streets," the policeman answered, "but I guess right now there's twice that number." Just as he had expected, another policeman appeared shortly, and Hamilton was passed on to him. His conductor was taciturn, and the boy was glad when the reporter joined them. In reply to a question, Hamilton told his purpose, and the reporter, scenting a story, volunteered to accompany them. The boy was willing enough, especially as he found the reporter had the Chinese district as his regular assignment and was well known in Chinatown. The address given, as the first policeman had said, was merely that painted over a stairway.