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He advised McCrasky to go very cautiously about it, as the gamblers had doubtless many friends who would give a tip and so frustrate a raid, perhaps letting somebody in for damages. McCrasky said he would be careful. Chance played into the hands of McCrasky and "blew in" on him a man who little recked what he was doing when he entered the local editor's room.
"Certainly there is," was the impatient reply: "Sergeant McCollum and four men are stationed in the alley behind. We know our business, sir." McCrasky thought this was a snub, and he was right. He looked around in the darkness for his reporters. He found them standing together in a doorway on the opposite side of the street. "Been here long?" he whispered. Murren was gloomy and did not answer.
"What did I tell you?" said the religious editor. "Thompson insisted it was next door." "Come along," said McCrasky, "the police are moving at last." A big bell in the neighborhood solemnly struck two slow strokes, and all over the city the hour sounded in various degrees of tone and speed. A whistle rang out and was distantly answered. The police moved quickly and quietly up the stairway.
"Why, bless you, haven't the boys taken you round yet? Well, now, that's inhospitable. Mellish's is the best place in town. I'm going up there now. If you come along with me I'll give you the knock-down at the door and you'll have no trouble after that." "I'll go with you," said McCrasky, reaching for his hat, and so the innocent Hammerly led the lamb into the lion's den.
"Think of the scrap next week between the California Duffer and Pigeon Billy and no report of it in the Argus! Imagine the walk- over for the other papers. What in thunder does he think people want to read?" But there was another surprise in store for the boys. McCrasky assembled them all in his room and held forth to them.
Mellish gave them every assistance, but nothing was found. As the four men walked back together to the Argus office, McCrasky was very indignant. "We will expose the police to-morrow," he said. "They evidently gave Mellish the tip." "I don't think so," said Thompson. "We will say nothing about it." "You forget yourself, Mr. Thompson. It rests with me to say what shall go on the local page.
McCrasky was pleased to see that his young men knew so little of the wickedness of a great city; nevertheless he was there to give them some information, so he said quietly: "Certainly it is against the law; but many things that are against the law flourish in a city like this. Now I want you to find out before the week is past how many gambling houses there are and where they are located.
The trouble is that gambling affects some people like liquor. I knew a man once who " but you can read the whole article if you turn up the back numbers of the Argus. Thompson told Mellish about McCrasky. Mellish was much interested, and said he would like to meet the local editor.
His name was McCrasky, christened Angus or Archie, I forget which, at this period of time. In fact, his Christian name was always a moot point; some of the reporters saying it was Angus and others Archie, no one having the courage to ask him. Anyhow, he signed himself A. McCrasky. He was a good man, which was rather an oddity on the staff, and puzzled the reporters not a little.
"Have you tickets, gentlemen," asked the man at the door politely; "this is a private assembly." "The police," said the sergeant shortly, "stand aside." If the police were astonished at the sight which met their gaze, their faces did not show it. But McCrasky had not such control over his features and he looked dumbfounded.
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