And the gang--a mighty mixed lot--was scribblin' in little books and watchin' each other as if they was afraid of havin' their pockets picked; though, to look at 'em, you'd have guessed the biggest part had nothin' in their pockets but holes.
"The six-foot checkerboard--who, it turned out, answered to the hail of 'Mike'-- seemed to be right at home with the gang.

He called most of 'em by their first names and went sasshayin' around, weltin' 'em on the back and tellin' 'em how he'd 'put crimps in the bookies rolls t'other day,' and a lot more stuff that they seemed to understand, but was hog Greek to me and Jonadab.

He'd forgot us altogether which was a mercy the way I looked at it, and I steered the Cap'n over into a corner and we come to anchor on a couple of rickety chairs.
"'What--why--what kind of a place IS this, Barzilla ?' whispers Jonadab, scared.
"'Sh-h-h!' says I.'Land knows.

Just set quiet and hang on to your watch.' "'But--but I want to find Kelly,' says he.
"'I'd give somethin' to find a back door,' says I.'Ain't this a collection of dock rats though! If this is a part of your dream, Jonadab, I wish you'd turn over and wake up.

Oh land! here's one murderer headin' this way.