The new Billy Byrne was ready to accept at face value everything which seemed to belong in any way to the environment of that exalted realm where dwelt the girl he loved.  Law, order, and justice appeared to Billy in a new light since he had rubbed elbows with the cultured and refined.

He no longer distrusted or feared them.  They would give him what he sought—­a square deal.

It seemed odd to Billy that he should be seeking anything from the law or its minions.  For years he had waged a perpetual battle with both.  Now he was coming back voluntarily to give himself up, with every conviction that he should be exonerated quickly.  Billy, knowing his own innocence, realizing his own integrity, assumed that others must immediately appreciate both.

“First,” thought Billy, “I’ll go take a look at little old Grand Ave., then I’ll give myself up.  The trial may take a long time, an’ if it does I want to see some of the old bunch first.”

So Billy entered an “L” coach and leaning on the sill of an open window watched grimy Chicago rattle past until the guard’s “Granavenoo” announced the end of his journey.

Maggie Shane was sitting on the upper step of the long flight of stairs which lean precariously against the scarred face of the frame residence upon the second floor front of which the lares and penates of the Shane family are crowded into three ill-smelling rooms.

It was Saturday and Maggie was off.  She sat there rather disconsolate for there was a dearth of beaux for Maggie, none having arisen to fill the aching void left by the sudden departure of “Coke” Sheehan since that worthy gentleman had sought a more salubrious clime—­to the consternation of both Maggie Shane and Mr. Sheehan’s bondsmen.

Maggie scowled down upon the frowsy street filled with frowsy women and frowsy children.  She scowled upon the street cars rumbling by with their frowsy loads.  Occasionally she varied the monotony by drawing out her chewing gum to wondrous lengths, holding one end between a thumb and finger and the other between her teeth.

Presently Maggie spied a rather pleasing figure sauntering up the sidewalk upon her side of the street.  The man was too far away for her to recognize his features, but his size and bearing and general appearance appealed to the lonesome Maggie.  She hoped it was someone she knew, or with whom she might easily become acquainted, for Maggie was bored to death.

She patted the hair at the back of her head and righted the mop which hung over one eye.  Then she rearranged her skirts and waited.  As the man approached she saw that he was better looking than she had even dared to hope, and that there was something extremely familiar about his appearance.  It was not, though, until he was almost in front of the house that he looked up at the girl and she recognized him.

Then Maggie Shane gasped and clutched the handrail at her side.  An instant later the man was past and continuing his way along the sidewalk.