"Oh, yes, some of the pictures were very interesting, but I could hardly breathe on account of the smoke." "Oh, youse'll git used t' dat," declared Jimmy. "If youse took a cigarette yerself youse wouldn't mind it." "I'm afraid that wouldn't make much difference. But it's nice out here." "Wait till I see if I kin spot Mike," proposed Jimmy, and they took their position near the doorway. Soon Bulldog and his crony came out. "Hey, Conroy," began Jimmy, stepping up to the larger youth. "What'd youse do wid me money?" "Your money? What's de kid talkin' about?" and Mike turned to Bulldog. "Search me," was the answer. "Hit him a poke an' come on." "You hit me an' I'll tell dat cop over dere," threatened Jimmy, motioning toward a bluecoat. "Youse swiped some chink offen me, Mike, an' I want it." "Aw, fergit it," advised the other. "Who says I took any of your money? You never had any." "I had more'n a dollar an' a half when I was here t' de show last time, an' youse an' Bulldog sat behind me. When I come out I didn't have a red cent left." "An' youse t'ink I took it!" exclaimed Mike. "Say, youse has nerve, youse has." "Gimme de money," demanded Jimmy. "I'll give ye a poke in de ribs if ye bodders me any more!" cried Conroy, making a dart toward Jimmy as he saw that the policeman was moving away. "Aw, who's afraid of youse?" asked Jimmy boldly, but he looked to see if a way of retreat was clear. The instant his head was turned Mike made a rush for him and hit Jimmy in the face. Then before the boy could strike back at him Conroy had dodged away and was off down the street, running, while Bulldog Smouder followed. Mike was not going to risk remaining after hitting Jimmy when there was a policeman within call. "Did he hurt you much?" asked Dick sympathetically. "Naw," bravely replied Jimmy. "Wait till I git him off alone somewhere an' I'll have a try at lickin' him. I'll practice up an' see if I can't do him." Then to console his wounded spirit, as well as to forget the pain of the blow, for it had been a hard one, Jimmy lighted another cigarette. CHAPTER XI PLANNING A TRICK While Jimmy and Dick went to their room in the lodging-house, Mike Conroy and Bulldog Smouder, after turning a corner and finding there was no pursuit after them, slackened their pace. "What'd youse run for?" asked Bulldog. "I'd 'a' helped if it come t' a fight." "Aw, Bricks can't fight me," replied Mike. "But I didn't want dat cop t' see me. He's been lookin' fer me." "Fer what?" "Aw, he t'inks I swiped some fruit offen an Italian's stand, an' de Dago made a complaint ag'inst me." "Did youse take any?" "Jest a few bananas. But don't say nuttin'." "Course not. I didn't squeal when youse took Bricks' coin, did I?" "Go easy on dat," advised Mike. "Somebody might hear. I give youse half, anyhow." "I know dat. Dat's why I didn't squeal."