CHAPTER XIII
PHIL FINDS A CAPITALIST
To account for Phil's unexpected loss, I must explain that Tim
Rafferty, whose ordinary place of business was in or near the
City Hall Park, had been sent uptown on an errand. He was making
his way back leisurely, when, just as he was passing Burnton's
bookstore, he saw Phil looking in at the window. He immediately
recognized him as the little Italian fiddler who had refused to
lend him his fiddle, as described in a previous chapter. In his
attempt he was frustrated by Paul Hoffman. His defeat incensed
him, and he determined, if he ever met Phil again, to "get even
with him," as he expressed it. It struck him that this was a
good opportunity to borrow his fiddle without leave.
When Phil discovered his loss, he determined to run after the
thief.
"Give me back my fiddle!" he cried.
But this Tim was in no hurry to do. As he had longer legs than
Phil, the chances were that he would escape. But some distance
ahead he saw one of the blue-coated guardians of the public
peace, or, in newsboy parlance, a cop, and saw that Phil could
easily prove theft against him, as it would be impossible to pass
himself off as a fiddler.
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