The fact was generally circulated among
the spectators that the "two gents in high hats" had come in a
carriage, and this and their patent-leather boots made them objects of
keen interest. It was even whispered that they were the "parties" who
were putting up the money to back the Black Diamond against the
"Hester Street Jackson." This in itself entitled them to respect. Van
Bibber was asked to hold the watch, but he wisely declined the honor,
which was given to Andy Spielman, the sporting reporter of the
_Track and Ring_, whose watch-case was covered with diamonds, and was
just the sort of a watch a timekeeper should hold.
It was two o'clock before "Dutchy" Mack's backer threw the sponge into
the air, and three before they reached the city. They had another
reporter in the cab with them besides the gentleman who had bravely
held the watch in the face of several offers to "do for" him; and as
Van Bibber was ravenously hungry, and as he doubted that he could get
anything at that hour at the club, they accepted Spielman's invitation
and went for a porterhouse steak and onions at the Owl's Nest, Gus
McGowan's all-night restaurant on Third Avenue.
It was a very dingy, dirty place, but it was as warm as the engine-
room of a steamboat, and the steak was perfectly done and tender.
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