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The room in which Billy and Bridge found themselves was a small one in the

center of which was a large round table at which were gathered a half-dozen men

at poker. Above the table swung a single arc lamp, casting a garish light upon the

players beneath.

Billy looked quickly about for another exit, only to find that besides the doorway

through which he had entered there was but a single aperture in the four walls--a

small window, heavily barred. The place was a veritable trap.

At their hurried entrance the men had ceased their play, and one or two had

risen in profane questioning and protest. Billy ignored them. He was standing

with his shoulder against the door trying to secure it against the detective

without; but there was neither bolt nor bar.

Flannagan hurtling against the opposite side exerted his noblest efforts to force

an entrance to the room; but Billy Byrne's great weight held firm as Gibraltar. His

mind revolved various wild plans of escape; but none bade fair to offer the

slightest foothold to hope.

The men at the table were clamoring for an explanation of the interruption. Two

of them were approaching Billy with the avowed intention of "turning him out,"

when he turned his head suddenly toward them.

Can de beef, you poor boobs," he cried. "Dere's a bunch o' dicks out dere--de

joint's been pinched."

Instantly pandemonium ensued. Cards, chips, and money were swept as by

magic from the board. A dozen dog-eared and filthy magazines and newspapers

were snatched from a hiding place beneath the table, and in the fraction of a

second the room was transformed from a gambling place to an innocent reading-

room.

Billy grinned broadly. Flannagan had ceased his efforts to break down the door,

and was endeavoring to persuade Billy that he might as well come out quietly and

submit to arrest. Byrne had drawn his revolver again. Now he motioned to Bridge

to come to his side.

"Follow me," he whispered. "Don't move 'til I move--then move sudden." Then,

turning to the door again, "You big stiff," he cried, "you couldn't take a crip to a

hospital, let alone takin' Billy Byrne to the still. Beat it, before I come out an'

spread your beezer acrost your map."

If Billy had desired to arouse the ire of Detective Sergeant Flannagan by this little

speech he succeeded quite as well as he could have hoped. Flannagan

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The Mucker