Page 45 - An Amateur Fireman

the noises of the street; but continued his grotesque manner of reconnoitering the alley, and again Seth
shouted:

"Come over here, Sam! There's no need of your bobbin' 'round in that style, 'cause nobody is in the alley
except a couple of little kids, who wouldn't be very much frightened if you walked right up on 'em."

This time Sam turned, affected to be greatly surprised at seeing these acquaintances, and then crossed the
street, apparently in an ill-temper.

"Don't you know any better'n to break up what a feller's fixin'?" he asked angrily as he stood before Seth and
Dan. "I was doin' some mighty fine work, an' you've spoiled it all by yellin' so loud. Now the folks in there
know I'm 'round, an' won't so much as show theirselves."

"Do you reckon they believe you're a detective?" Dan asked, trying in vain to check his mirth.

"Of course I do!" Sam replied hotly. "Folks have heard of me before this, an' it stands me in hand to keep out
of sight all I can."

"Who did you think was in the alley?" Seth asked.

"I'm lookin' for more'n one in this town, an' counted on finishin' up two or three little jobs in the detective line
before I lighted out to nab Jip Collins."

"Do you know where he is?" and Seth appeared disturbed.

"What kind of a detective do you allow I am if I don't know that? I've got it all figgered out, an' most likely I'll
take a spin over to Philadelphy to-night. If I do, you'll see him in court to-morrow mornin'."

"Oh, has he gone over there?" Dan asked with a great show of interest, pursing his mouth into shape for
whistling to prevent an outburst of laughter.

"That's about the size of it; but he needn't think he can run away from me."

"Look here, Sam," and now Seth spoke in a serious tone; "Jip didn't try to hurt anybody but Dan an' me, an'
we don't want you to bother him. We're willin' to give him a fair show, 'cause he'll take a big turn after this."

"I can't help what you want," the detective replied obstinately. "When I know that a feller has been burnin' up
houses it's my business to run him in, an' I'm goin' to do it."

"What is it to you, so long as we're satisfied?" Dan asked sharply.

"See here, ain't I a detective?"

"I ain't so certain of that," Master Roberts cried promptly.

"I guess other people know it if you don't, 'cause I've had more'n one case in this town. Now, so long as that is
my business I'm bound to take up anythin' I hear about, an'--- "

"Other detectives don't do that; they wait till the chief sends 'em out, or somebody hires 'em."

Dan's reply staggered Sam for an instant; but he soon bethought himself of what seemed to be the proper
answer, and replied: