Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-13
CHAPTER VIII-Continued.

Compared with the atmosphere OF that
public room a blast from hell were sweet
and cooling. thought Amber: the first
Whit he had Of 1t all but staggered him.
and he found himself gasping, perspira-
ton starting from every pore. Faint with
disgust he elbowed his way through the
mob to the bar, thankful that those about
him. absorbed In the engrossing occupa-
ton Of getting drunk, paid him not the
least heed F1attening himself against
the rail he cast about for the proprietor.
A blowsy, sweating barmaid caught his
eye. and without a word slapped down
upon the sloppy counter before him a
glass four fingers deep with unspeakabie
whisky. And he realised that he would
have to drink it: to refuse would be to
attract attention. perhaps with unpleasant
consequences. Its more than / bar
gained for" he grumbled. making pre-
tense Of swallowing the dose. and to his
huge relief managing to spill two-thirds
Of 1t down the front of his coat. What
he swallowed bit like an acid. Tears
came to his eyes. but he choked down
the cough. and as soon as he could speak
paid the girl. where's the boss?" he
asked.
"who?" Her glance was penetrating.
"Oh. he's wytin' for YOU" She nodded.
lifting a shrill voice; "Garge. oh. Cargo!
bow she indicated the further end Of the
room. You'll find i'm down there" she
said. her look not unkindly.
Amber thanked her quietly and. extrt-
eating himself from the press round the
bar, made his way in the direction indi-
Gated. A couple Of billiard tables with .
small mob OF onlookers numbered him. but
by main strength and diplomacy he
wormed his way past and reached the
10
loafers here and he had little hesitation
about selecting from an attendant circle
of sycophants the genius Of the dive
Honest George himself, fat and burly
ruffian. who filled to OVERLOOKING the In
adequate accommodation of an armchair.
Sitting thus enthroned In his shirt sleeves.
his greasy and unshaven red face ir-
radiating Q sort of low good humor that
was belied by the cold cunning Of his lit
tie eyes. he fulfilled admirably the re-
uuirements Of the role he played SELF
cast.
"'Ere, your he hailed Amber. brusque-
ly. You're ELI of a jOb-'unter. amt
you? Mister Abercrombie's been wytin'
upstairs?'
His tone was boisterous enough to fix
upon Amber the attention Of the knot OF
loafers round the armchair. Amber felt
himself under the particular regard Of
dozen pairs Of eyes. felt that his measure
was taken and his identification complete.
Displeased. he answered. curtly. No"
This wy. then. Honest George
armchair and numbered heavily across the
room. shouldering the crowd aside with
a high-handed contempt for the pack OF
them. Jerking open small door In the
side wall, he beckoned Amber on with a
backward nod of his heavy head. BE a
bit lively, carn't you?" he growled. and.
Amber, in despite of qualms of distrust.
followed the fellow into small and
noisome hallway. lighted by a single gas
jet. On the one hand a flight Of rickety
steps ran up into repellent Obscurity; on
the other low door stood open to the
night.
The crimp lowered his voice. "Your
friends this wy" He waved his fat red
theren think you're tryin for a berth
with Abercrombie. the shipmaster. I
'opes you'll not tyke offense at the wy
'ad to rag you back there; sir.
mo-" said Amber. and Honest George
led the way out into q small. tagged well
between towering black walls and left
him at the threshold Of q second door
way. Two flights up. the door at the
twice" And without waiting for an an
swer he Iurched heavily back to his own
Amber watched his broad back all the
dimly iisited door ,x opposite l and ID. as ..
turn tall and run. Suspicious enough In
the beginning. the affair had now an ex-
ceedinS evil smell-as repulsive figura-
lively as was the actual ef1uvium Of the
premises. He hung hesitant In doubt,
with a heart oppressed by those grim and
silent walls Of blackness that doomed
above him. With feet slipping on Shiny
fags he might be pardoned for harboring
suspicious Of some fouler treachery. The
yawning mouth Of the narrow doorway.
with the blackness Of Erebus within. was
lettering at it's best: In such a hole a
man might be shared and slain, and his
acreama though they rang to high