Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-14
TaraS

AA1AAAess HIS hOASc oo HS S<AAlc closer said, with a wink. ''unbeknown to outsiders, you understand" Putty nodded, and addressing me said, Hook it, |" as he took down a pot and drew himself some beer. Taras gave me pleas ant nod as I slunk out by the front door. That altered my destiny. It was not an uncommon thing for me to be sent out of the way when Putty had business affairs to talk about with his customers across the bar of the Joy, and never troubled my self even to wonder what his secret deal ings were, but that kindly look in the face of Taras excited a strange feeling of inter est in my mind, which made me curious to know what business he had to transact with such a rascal as the bloke.
 slipped down Ferryboat alley to the shore, climbed up the rotten timbers on to the balcony and edged myself into the bar parlor, where I could hear pretty distinctly all that was said in the bar.
 Drigo was speaking, but his broken Eng fish and tho low, crafty tone of his voice made what he said unintelligible to me. It seemed to perpleN Putty also, for presently interrupting him he said with irritation:
 "Herc! It's no manner of use your being so cussed sly over this here business. must know all the particlers straightforward afore go into it. Here. likes your looks better an what do your pardner's, mate, A@SAlllAlG hS<Al W hdi bu NG SOI NO
 "The matters simple enough" replied Taras. Three friends have left their couu- try for certain reasons. To do so they en- gagged themselves as sailors on board yes sel bound for London. Their contract binds them to return with the ship to their coun- try, and they cannot openly break the con tract without rendering themselves liable to be taken back by force. But they intend to desert, and our object is to provide a
 
 them by night from their ship as soon as it arrives, and where they may change their seaEoing clothes for the dress we shall have in readiness for them. We chose this inn for that purpose because it is conveniently near the dock and is not open to otServa- tion. If you do not choose to let us use your house, we must find another. That is the whole matter"
 Now 1 tumble to it right enough" said Putty. T see you're a en'leman, sir, and l alters likes to deal with gen 'lemen. But you will understand, sir, that all this here is agen the law, and l lay myself open to lose my license and get n month or two of hard even for lettin of parties into the house after Closin hours"
 Il will pay you for your risk How much do you want"
 Its more risky than what you think It looks dead and alive hole, as no one comes
 
 keep bloomin sharp eye on us all the same. When do you expect this here yes sel:"
 Tomorrow. But it might be delayed till Saturiay."
 That means sittin mp on the lookout two or three nights Of course the job would be pulled of when nobody much ain't about"
 Between and in the morning, if possi- bIe"
 "That'd do" Then after d little consid, eration Putty said: Here, I'll tell you what I'll do with you. You shall have the u>r of my room for n dollar a night while you rr on the lookout, and you shall hand over five quid the night the job Is pulled of rnd your mates get clear, Now l cant say tairer than that. can r."
 TaraS accepted these terms, and after some further discussion he and Drigu left the Joy, saying they would return the fol lowing afternoon.
 slipped out of the Joy by the way had enter,rl it and hurried round to the front impellrd, l think, by some unrecoCnized hope that Taras would nod to me again. know that l sank down on the steps of BHNter'S wharf disconsolate when l saw him in the distance turn the corner of Fer ry boat alley and disappear without looking hack.
 l hAG been sitting there ln dull apathy, my elbows on my knees and my chin in my palms, a quarter of an hour or 2O min utt> when l heard a step in the alley and turning my eyes saw priSn coming back Just before he reached the Mariners Joy he stopped and facing about waited a couple If minutes or So, looking up the alley as if 70 make sure that he was not followed. Then he dived quickly down the two steps and entered the house. had taken q dis ike 10 the man from the first There was an evil wicked look in his fa>e. There was treachery in his furtivr glances, in the very stoop of his shoulders Why had he come back alone' What further business had he with the bluke which he could not have dnr.r when Taras was with him: These questions aroused my faculties into un- wonted energy. Once more slipped round to the hack of the house and up the balcony into the room behind the l,ar
 Drigo was talking to Putty. but in such a low key that could make nothing of the sounds that reached me. I caught a glimpse of them through the crack of the door-thcir two villainous heads close to- gether over the bar-and drew as near as dared, yet still I could distinguish no words.
 But what are you going to do with him them" Putty asked. and his voice, though low, was distinct enough-perhapS because l was more used to it.
 II could not gather the reply; but, raising his voice to give emphasis 10 the offer, heard this clearly:
 He offered you e; I'll give you double, and you can httray Us to the police if We don't pay up"
 And A tenner won't pay me to bc hac CesSOry to murder
 DriCo silenccd him with long hist" and f, ,v1a ;,,t,, the parlor he caught sight of me. He gave the alarm to Putty in a hurried tone of terror and the next moment a pewter pot flew at my head. was quick enough tc dUck and avoid the missile but I only cs- ca3ed falling into the savage hands of the bloke by Ringing myself over the balcony and falling into the mud below.
 Don't let me get nigh you this side of next month, You -, or l Ii pull the wea- and out of you he cried, shaking his fist down at me as slunk off around a strand ed barge.