No heed had ever been paid him.

He was one of the quiet men who attend solely to duty, and although a Grand Army man, he had never sought to use influence of any kind.

Now, at last, he thought there was a chance for him.

He had been twenty-two years on the force, and during that time had saved some twenty-five persons from death by drowning, varying the performance two or three times by saving persons from burning buildings.

Twice Congress had passed laws especially to empower the then Secretary of the Treasury, John Sherman, to give him a medal for distinguished gallantry in saving life.