"
"What is it?" asked the other.
"Do you know Mr. Hickman--Henry Hickman, the lawyer?"
"He's not on my calling list," said Finnegan. "I know him by sight."
"I've heard it said that he had something to do with beating a water
bill in the city council. Did he?"
"You bet your life he did!" said the bartender with a grin.
"Is it true that he bought up the council?"
"You bet your life it's true!"
"And is it true that Mr. Callahan got some of the money?"
Finnegan glanced at the other suspiciously. "Say," he said, "what's
all this about, anyhow?"
"Listen," said Samuel gravely. "You know that Mr. Hickman is a member
of my church. And he's Dr. Vince's brother-in-law, which makes it more
complicated yet. Dr. Vince has heard these terrible stories, and you
can see how awkward it is for him. He cannot let such evil-doers go
unrebuked."
"Gee!" said the other. "What's he going to do?"
"I don't know," said Samuel. "He hasn't told me that. First, you see,
he has to be sure that the thing is true. And, of course, Mr. Hickman
wouldn't tell."
"No," said Finnegan. "Hardly!"
"And it isn't easy for the doctor to find out. You see--he's a
clergyman, and he only meets good people. But I told him I would find
out for him."
"I see," said Finnegan.
"What I want," said the boy, "is to be able to tell him that I heard
it from the lips of one of the men who got the money.
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