Come along; let the gang-master follow us." Tom went directly up to a group of workmen who had been looking curiously on.

Most of them were Italians, but there were a few negroes present.
"Now; men, gather around me," Tom requested.

"I want to talk to you.
Come close." As they did so Reade rested a hand on the shoulder of a negro.
"My friend," said Tom, "you've been drinking to-night." "No, sah, boss! 'Deed I hasn't," replied the negro, earnestly.
"Man, don't you think I have a nose ?" Tom demanded, dryly.

"Every time you open your mouth I smell the fumes of the stuff.

There are other men in this group, too, who have been drinking.