As the story opens, a was walking down an empty avenue just before 10 at night. It was a chilly night, and no were in sight. The officer was checking as he walked, while twirling his with artful movements. Some businesses were open, but mostly all of them had long sinced been closed.
Midway down a certain block, the policeman walked up to a who was standing in the doorway of a store holding an unlighted cigar in his mouth. The man is described as having a pale, square-jawed with keen eyes, and a little white scar near his right . It is also noted that he wore a large scarfpin, and carried a diamond set pocket watch.
The man explained to the officer that he was waiting for a ; an appointment made twenty before. He explains how a restaurant called 'Big Joe' Brady's' once stood where the hardware now operates. He told the officer that he was waiting for his friend named Wells, who he considered a brother. He informs the officer that he and Jimmy grew-up here in New York, but they went their seperate ways when he headed to make his fortune. The night before he left they agreed to meet back at the restaurant years later to discuss the results of destiny.
Eventually the policeman left, and the man who traveled a thousand stood in the rain waiting for his friend to arrive. After twenty minutes of waiting, a man wearing an overcoat approached the waiting man, said hello, and called him . It was Jimmy Wells, who appeared taller than the man remembered. They shook hands, and began discussing their experiences over the last twenty years. Bob did most of the , while Jimmy just listened with interest. Standing under the lights of a , Bob got a good look at his dare friend and suddenly realized that this man was not the real Jimmy Wells because of the shape of his .
The imposter revealed to Bob that he was a policeman, and that he was under arrest as he called him 'Silky' Bob from . The undercover policeman then handed Bob a from Patrolman Jimmy Wells. The short note said:
"Bob: I was at the appointed place on time. When you struck the match to light your I saw it was the face of the man wanted in Chicago. Somehow I couldn't do it myself, so I went around and got a plain clothes man to do the job. JIMMY."