"You are a nice specimen for a chief of police, you are!" he began.
"And who the devil are you?" bawled the chief, his choler rising.
"I'll tell you who I am presently."
We all eyed him in wonder. What was going to happen now?
"Which of you gentlemen is Mr. Hamilton?" asked the new-comer gruffly.
Hamilton signified that he was the gentleman by that name.
"Some ladies at your ball have been robbed of their diamonds, I
understand?"
"About ten thousand dollars' worth."
"Look here, sir," cried the chief, standing up and balling his fist, "I
want you to explain yourself, and mighty quick. You can't come into my
presence in this manner."
"Bah! You have just permitted the cleverest rascal in the state to
slip through your butterfingers. I am Haggerty."
The chief of police sat down suddenly.