Forrester hesitated. He glanced at Prentice, who was leaning toward him, an interested listener, and reflected whether or not to ask his advice. Forrester’s own impulse was to treat the man as he had the first caller. It occurred to him, however, that if this man really did represent the "Friends of the Poor," as he claimed, it would simplify matters for the detectives if a definite hour were arranged. He remembered Cahill’s instructions to approach the tree at ten-thirty. "I had planned to go to the tree about ten-thirty," finally announced Forrester. "That’s all right," said the voice. "Be sure you make it ten-thirty sharp—and no dicks, remember!" The wire suddenly became dead as the man at the other end hung up the receiver. Forrester hung up his own receiver and turned to Prentice. "What’s this about the ’Friends of the Poor’?" exclaimed Prentice. "That man said he represented the ’Friends of the Poor’," replied Forrester. "He wanted me to give him the exact hour at which I would place the money in the tree." "That’s a strange proceeding," muttered Prentice. "Strange?" queried Forrester. "That they should take the risk of calling you up on the phone," explained Prentice. "Things are getting rather hot for them," declared Forrester. "They realize it, and probably do not want to take a chance by staying near the tree for too long a period. The man warned me not to have any detectives at hand." "He did!" ejaculated Prentice. There followed a moment’s silence while Prentice relit his cigar. "Tell me, Bob," he requested, at length, "have you made any definite plans about tomorrow night?" "Yes, I’m coming to your house for dinner for one thing," smiled Forrester. "You know what I mean," said Prentice, seriously. "You have trifled with this ’Friends of the Poor’ matter long enough. What have you decided to do—are you going to pay the money or fight?" "Both," answered Forrester, laughing. He then explained to Prentice the major details of his own and the detectives’ plans for Saturday night. "And you mean to say, Bob," gasped Prentice, "that these detectives have actually located the ’Friends of the Poor’?" "Not located them, exactly," returned Forrester, "but they have a very strong suspicion." "Against whom?" asked Prentice. "A band of Italians on the West Side," divulged Forrester. "They have secured what they claim to be certain evidence and expect to capture the men at the tree tomorrow night." Prentice smiled. "That’s not the first time I’ve heard that police theory," he declared. "Still, there may be something to their idea, after all, in view of the telephone calls you received this evening. There should be interesting developments tomorrow night. But, Bob," he added, "take my advice and leave this matter entirely in the detectives’ hands. Don’t fail in your part of the matter. Place your money in the tree at the hour you agreed upon and then get away as quickly as you can."