THE LIEUTENANT'S STOBY CONCLUDED. 281 
As soon as Mr. Broadstreet recovered himself, and 
cleared his eyes from the blinding snow, he saw a heavy, 
black shadow on the sidewalk, enveloping his own person 
and resting upon the figure of a man who had evidently 
just sheltered himself behind the high, stone steps, for his 
footprints, leading from the street, were still quite fresh. 
As the man thrashed his arms, and stamped vigorously to 
start the blood through his benumbed feet, a bright 
button or two gleamed upon his breast through the cape 
of his great-coat. Mr. Broadstreet now recognized him 
as the policeman whose beat it was, and whom he had 
occasionally favored with a condescending nod as he came 
home late at night from the theatre or the club. He had 
never addressed him by so much as a word ; but now the 
Shadow was full upon him, and Mr. Broadstreet felt that 
here was his first opportunity. 
Good-evening, officer ! " he shouted, cheerily, through 
the storm. " Wish you a merry Christmas to-morrow." 
Thank you, sir; same to you," replied the other, 
with a touch of the cap and a pleased glance at 
the great man. " Hard times for the boys to-night, 
though." 
" It is hard," said Mr. Broadstreet, compassionately. 
^^And you're rather cold, I suppose?" he added, awk- 
wardly, after a pause. 
"Rather!" 
"Why, bless me!" a bright thought striking him, 
wouldn't you like a cup of hot coffee, now ? " 
