Here Dormer—led off by expert hints, made by the operative, quite forgot the object of his interview—which undoubtedly was to fully test the stranger as to his former knowledge of the Sleepers—and the conversation became general. Soon it was wholly interrupted by calls from the bar-room, which the landlord was forced to give attention. McKenna had fabricated all that he made pretence of having gone through with in connection with the order in the old country—being as much in the dark, as to the interior work of the association there as in the United States—for the purpose of drawing something from Dormer, but he dare not enter far into particulars, dreading an exposure of his shortcomings. He thought it extremely fortunate that, thus far, none of his associates had been able to fathom his assumptions or contradict his assertions. Both of these had been purposely kept rather indefinite, that he might safely retreat, assuming to have spoken of some other society, should an exposure be imminent. Presently the saloon was vacated and the doors closed. The morning of another day was nigh at hand, and Dormer, donning his coat, went with McKenna part of his way homeward, and would not separate from the new-comer in Pottsville until he secured a promise that he would frequently visit the Sheridan House and make himself quite at home there. They parted warm friends, the detective to go to bed, and the innkeeper to return to his hotel. The next morning, when, after a few hours of unrefreshing sleep, the detective arose, he felt very much the worse for his fistic and other muscular exercises of the preceding twenty-four hours. About every bone in his body ached fearfully, and his eyes and lips were dry and inflamed. However, an application of cold water afforded him some relief, and, having partaken of a late but hearty breakfast, he again evaded Jennings and went to the Sheridan House, according to agreement. The landlord greeted him very cordially and joined in something liquid and inspiring; then informed his visitor that, as he was an “old trump,” he was just the man to go with him to attend to some business of a private character in another part of the city. They attended church, after which their steps took another direction, landing them inside Capt. Dougherty’s saloon, where several of the men McKenna had previously encountered at Dormer’s were already convened.