of his brother. "Say, what's this I hear about you deliverin' packages for Smoky Joe?"
"Well?"
"Didn't you know there was dope in them packages?"
"No, I didn't. But now that I do, it's goin' to cost him more."
"You let that stuff alone."
"Oh, all right. I s'pose some cop belly-ached to you about it. Well, he can have that little graft, if he wants it. I got other things I can do."
"Yes, I guess you have," agreed Ben dryly, "from all I hear. So you been a lookout down at Mike Rafferty's gamblin' joint, too?"
"Yes. And why not? That's a decent way of makin' a few bucks. Would you rather have me out pullin' stick-ups like the rest of the guys in the neighborhood?"
"Of course not." He leaned forward and spoke seriously. "Don't ever get in no serious trouble, Tony; it would ruin me at headquarters."
"I won't. Don't worry about me. You got enough to do to watch your own step."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothin'," answered Tony casually with a smile, enjoying the sudden fear that had come into his
