i disclaimed all connection with the bad gambling persons below, but they replied that they were cleaning up the house, and, if i wished to make any remarks, i had better make them to the magistrate. this seemed reasonable. i said i would put on some clothes and come along. they demurred. they said they couldn't wait about while i put on clothes. i pointed out that sky-blue pajamas with old-rose frogs were not the costume in which the editor of a great new york weekly paper should be seen abroad in one of the world's greatest cities, but they assured me more by their manner than their words that my misgivings were groundless, so i yielded. these men, i told myself, have lived longer in new york than i. they know what is done, and what is not done. i will bow to their views. so i was starting to go with them like a lamb, when one of them gave me a shove in the ribs with his night stick. and it was here that i fancy i may have committed a slight error of policy."