"They'll be on our heels any minute--they may be waiting for us now, down the alley--come off, idiot, quick!" "If I thought they was a chance of finding her I'd stay," declared Ronicky, shaking his head bitterly.

"Whether you and me live, don't count beside a girl like that.

Getting soot on one tip of her finger might mean more'n whether you or me die." "Maybe, maybe," said the other, "but answer that tomorrow; right now, let's start to make sure of ourselves, and we can come back to find her later." Ronicky Doone, submitting partly to the force and partly to the persuasion of his friend, turned reluctantly and followed him down the alley..