The woman shot a glance at him that was intended to freeze him to the spot. But she produced the dollar, the edge of which Speedy had detected protruding from her glove. He nonchalantly counted out her change. She thrust it into her purse and, head high, the two "ladies" hurried on their way.
"Thanks—and good-bye," Speedy sung after them. He swung up behind his wheel again. "Well, well, all kinds of dames to make a world," he chortled to himself as he turned his car around and headed across Broadway toward the Envoy.
The Envoy was one of the better class hotels located east of Broadway. Its thriving trade made it a profitable taxi rendezvous. "Stand for 4 Taxis" read the sign near its entrance. It already held its, full quota when Speedy arrived and the heavy traffic in the street made it impractical for him to edge in. Nevertheless he tried, blocking the entire street as he swung his cab broadside and tugged in toward the curb inch by inch. He was not allowed peace long.
"Hey, taxi!" yelled a policeman. "There ain't no room there. Get out! Drive around the block. Jump in the river. Do something."
Speedy complied by backing out and driving slowly around the block. He was rewarded by discovering when he returned that one of the four occupants of the space had found a fare. He eased in at the end of the line behind the other three. At the end of twenty minutes the last had become first. Then came the welcome whistle of the uniformed
