And his mind was upon it late in the afternoon when he entered the little street.

But as he neared his grandmother's house all such thought was banished by Detective Gavegan of the Central Office stepping from the pawnshop and blocking the door with his big figure.

There was grim, triumphant purpose on the hard features of Gavegan, conceited by nature and trained to harsh dominance by long rule as a petty autocrat.
"Hello, Gavegan," Larry greeted him pleasantly.

"Gee, but you look tickled! Did the Duchess give you a bigger loan than you expected on the Carnegie medal you just hocked ?" "You'll soon be cuttin' out your line of comedy." Gavegan slipped his left arm through Larry's right.

"You're comin' along with me, and you'd better come quiet." Larry stiffened.