Part 17 (1/2)
”What time is it?”
”The clock has gone seven.”
”I can tell that by my stomach. I've got a healthy appet.i.te this morning. Have you got any money?”
”Not a penny, Jack.”
”That's bad. Just feel in the pocket of my breeches; there they are on the floor. See if you can find anything.”
Julius rose from the pallet and did as he was ordered.
”There's twelve cents,” he said.
”Good. We'll divide. We can get a breakfast at Brady's Free Lunch Saloon. Take six cents of it. I ain't going to get up yet.”
”All right,” said the boy.
”You must look sharp and pick up some money before night, or we shall go to bed hungry. Do you hear?”
”Yes, Jack.”
”When Marlowe and I get hold of that gold and plate in Madison avenue we'll have a grand blow-out. You remember what Marlowe told you last night?”
”About the boy that keeps the necktie stand near Dey street?”
”Yes.”
”I am to find out all I can about him.”
”Yes. See if you can find out if he has any friends out of the city.”
Julius nodded.
”We want to have the coast clear, so that we can break in next Monday night. The sooner the better. I'm dead broke and so is Marlowe, but I guess we can stand it till then.”
”All right.”
Jack Morgan turned over and composed himself to sleep again. He had said all he thought necessary, and had no pressing business to call him up. Julius opened the door and went out, down the rickety stairs and out through a narrow covered alleyway to the street, for the room which Jack Morgan and he occupied was in a rear tenement house.
Several dirty and unsavory-looking children--they could not well be otherwise in such a locality--barefooted and bareheaded, were playing in the court. Julius pa.s.sed them by, and sauntered along toward the City Hall Park. He met several acquaintances, newsboys and bootblacks, the former crying the news, the latter either already employed or looking for a job.
”Where are you goin', Julius?” asked a bootblack of his acquaintance.
”Goin' to get breakfast.”
”Got any stamps?”
”Sixpence.”
”You can't get a square meal for that.”