The visitors at the house arrived in cabs between the hours of eight and twelve P.M., and departed between the latter hour and five in the morning. There are forty similar _ménages_ north of Thirty-third Street and east of Long Acre Square.
"He's in here," said Sullivan. "But I ain't goin' inside."
"You're not, eh?" remarked Ralston. "Very well, we stay here together then until he comes out--and then you go down to headquarters with _me_."
"Look here, Sackett," whined Sullivan, "how can I go in? They'd see me and know I'd sold 'em out. I can't do it. It would finish me. Don't be unreasonable."
"Well, how do I know he's here?" asked Ralston. "Don't be unreasonable yourself."
"Well, I _know_ he's here," said Sullivan. "I tell you what I'll do. I'll go into the hall, and when you're satisfied I ain't givin' you the double-cross, I'll slip out. Suppose I showed you Steadman, that would satisfy you, wouldn't it?"
Sullivan looked up and down the street and then clambered out in a disjointed and rheumatic fashion.
"I'm sorry, Miss Davenport, I can't let you have the cab," said Ralston. "I shall need it--I hope."
Sullivan was on the sidewalk, looking at the house.
"Mr. Ralston," she said, "be careful while you are in that house. Don't mention a word of what I've told you about Sullivan. They're a reckless lot. Watch yourself and them. Play it easy, and good luck to you. Some time, I hope, I'll see you again."
"Stay right _here_ until I come out--if it's six hours!" directed Ralston.
The dawn was flushing the chocolate-colored fronts before them and a milk wagon was working gradually down the block. Ralston felt weak in the knees, but he pounded his feet on the pavement and stepped quickly after Sullivan, who had started up the steps.
"I needn't warn you that there must be no funny business, Sullivan," said Ralston, as the other fumbled in his trousers pocket. "Our bargain holds. Your life for mine and Steadman's."
"You needn't worry," replied Sullivan. "Homicide isn't in our business. I wish I could turn Steadman over to you bound hand and foot, but I can't. You've got _him_ to deal with. The rest is easy. The gang's pretty near through with him. But you've got to handle _him_ yourself."