The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-10-28


the law"
! gave a gasp at this distressing
suggestion, and Henry chuckled as he
saw the CONSERVATION written on my
face. Then he rose and said:
"Come, the boat is getting in
"But | want TO know" I began.
"Oh, bother your 'wantto-knows.'
It's not against the law just outside
II. you understand. I'll tell you more
OF II when we get to my room. Give
ne that valise. Come along now"
And as the boat entered the slip we
found ourselves at the front of the
pressing crowd that is always surging
in and out of San Francisco by the
gateway of the Market Street ferry.
As we pushed our way through the
clamoring hack-drivers and hotel-run-
ners who blocked the entrance to the
city. | was reused by a sudden thrill
of the instinct OF danger that warns
one when he meets the eye of a
snake. II was gone in an instant, but
/ had time to trace effect to cause.
The warning came this time from
the eyes of man, a 1.-the, keenfaced
man who flashed a look Of triumphant
malice on us as he disappeared in the
waiting.room of the ferry-shed. But
the keen face and the basilisk glance
we're burned into my mind in that
moment as deeply as though | had
known then what evil was behind
them.
My companion swore softly to him.
self
What's the matter?" l asked.
Don't look around" he said. I'VE
are watched"
1.-THE snake-eyed man."
Did you see him. too" His man
ner was careless. but his tone was
troubled. 81 thought | had given him
the slip" he continued. We'll. there's
no help for II now"
Are we to hunt for hlding-place"
! asked doubtfully.
"Oh. no: not now. I was going "a
take you direct 10 my room. Now
we are going to a hotel with all tie
publicity We can get. Here We are.
In another moment we were in g
numbering coach. and were whirllne
over the rough pavement. through a
confusing maze of streets. past Ions
rows o, dingy, ugly buildings. to the
hotel
"A room for the night" ordered
Henry. as we entered the hotel Of
fee and saluted the clerk.
your brother will sleep with you?'
inquired the clerk.
Yes"
Henry paid the bill. took the key.
and we we're shown to our room. Al
ter removing the trayel-stains. | de
clared myself quite ready to dine.
we won't need this again" said
Henry, tossiDs the key on the bu-
reau as we left "Or no. on second
thought" he continued. its Just as
well to leave the door rocked. There
might be some inqulsiuve callers. "
And we betook ourselves TO a hasty
meal that was not OF a nature to
raise my opinion of San Francisco.
Are you through" asked my com
panion, as ] shook my head over a
melancholy piece OF pie. and laid down
my fork. well, take your bag. This
door-look pleasant and say nothing. -
He led the way to the bar and then
through a back room or two, until
with a turn We were in a blind alley.
After a pause 10 observe the street
before We yentured forth, Henry
said:
Il guess we're all right now. We
must chance It, anyhow" So we
lodged along in the shadow till we
came to Montgomery Street, and after
a brief walk, turned into a gloomy
doorway and mounted a worn pair OF
stairs.
The house was three stories In
height. II stood on the corner OF an
alley, and the lower floor was in
tended for a store or saloon; but a
renting agents sign and collection
OF old show-bills Ornamenting the
dirty windows testified that it was
vacant.
This isn't Just the place I'd choose
for entertaining friends, said Henry,
with a visible relief from his uneasi-
ness, as we climbed the worn ana
dirty stair
"Oh. that's all right" SAID, mag
unanimously accepting his apology.
1T doesn't have all the modern con-
veniences," admitted Henry as we
stumbled up the second fight, but
It's suitable TO the business we have
In hand. and"
whats that" | exclaimed. as
creaking. rasping sound came from
the hall below.
We stopped and listened, peering
into obscurity beneath.
1T must have been outside" said
Henry, and opened the door of the
last room on the right OF the hall.
The room was at the rear corner
of the building. There were two win
dows. one looking to the west, the
other to the north and opening on the
narrow alleV