The Washington times., 1909-02-23
CHAPTER MI.


To be sure. he remained a min
ute or so, staring speculatively
at the alligator bag by the dubious bed
and perchance wondering about how
much il would bring, should any mis-
chance lure ii from its owners room
and propel it toward a pawnshop.
He made for the hall-turned for a
last look at the bag-and asked:
Just Walter Johnson"
''Plain Walter Johnson
where dye hail from?
New Bedford. Mr.. Johnson turned
narrowed eyes on Riley in rather ugly
fashion Anything else you wanter
know, Boz" Color o. eyes and hair
how many teeth missing? WHAT
Guess thatH be enough, JACKIE the
clerk responded, rather alphabetically,
as ne started for the lower regions
And he started for the lower regions
with a satisfactory little piece of news
for the boss. They'd both been right IN
their surmise that the newcomer was
fitting crook; he'd got some good
clothes somewhere or other, but back in
his accustomed raiment he looked just
what he was-a baby-faced worker OF
the underworld.
The boss OpiEed that it might be
Just as well to get rid Of him when
occasion offered The boss had had
bit Of experience in his years, and as
,1.le he had found that these mild-lOok-
ing crooks generally smashed up the
better part o. his hotel in the muss-
when the police finally did arrive.
However, Mr.. Walter Johnson went
on record as himself. dating last from
New Bedford; and the sudden really
El-iudged and improper conduct of
gentleman patron Of the cafe, who in
sisted on having q sour mixed in the
free 1uch cracker bowl, and dumped the
crackers on the floor for that purpose,
caused Walter Johnson to be forgotten
altogether for the nonce.
Walter Johnson appeared shortly.
though, forlorn and dirty and looking
distinctly discouraged and al odds with
the world.
His canvas grip was clUtched in one
hand. His shiny face. already mys-
teriousIy daubed with CRIME. was drawn
an lines that indicated disbursement
and a soured nature He looked around
through the smoke Of the office. and
was greeted by half a dozen unfriendy
faces.
Eventually. he took the library of
camping beside a weather-worn indi-
vidual on a bench.
Smoke. old MANI" he inquired, tim
orously.
'Huh?"
''Have a smoke
Yeah" announced the gentleman
Eourly, as he accepted a cigar and
Knocked out his corncob pipe.
And then his face lighted suddenly
and Mr.. Johnson realized that he had
not extended the three-fOr-fve courtesy
he had intended. but had erringly
delved into another pocket. which con-
tanned the three-for-a-dollar variety
For the sour mans face grew suspi-
cious after the first Whit, and be ask
ed:
''where'd yeh get 'em?"
'T-got EN-" Mr.. Johnson grinncd
rather weakly.
The sOlr man. who was really an eN-
4remely honest man and owned fam
ST.. somewhere down the coast, seemed
10 freeze. He did not freeze to the ex-
tent Of casting away his cigar. but
something In his manner indicated thai
he desired no further intercourse witt
= questionable character. and afte1
minutes OF silence the young man viii
6se cropped blond hair arose with Z
sign IlckeN UP MS bdS anu 0itAliiN'
across the lobby OF the hosiery
There was a vacant chair here. at tn
end OF the long line and next 10 a maj
who. like Walter Johnson, seemed pos
sesEed Of canvas bag that must need
Tepose between his feet
This particular man, who was wei
over six feet IN height and built vcr-
much I'm proportion. seemed also Il
have sorrows Of his own. for he sa
with elbows on knees and gIoomed IA
eyes into the mystic smoky depths O
the place.
Mr.. johnson slapped his bag TO IN
floor and took the next place. The ma
glanced at him casually and nodded
Then he went on smoking until:
Say. Bill
The big man turned. The smaller on
was regarding him almost auN!ousl
End saying:
7D'ye know this shore here?"
s'T7Uh2 Me- Yes.
wei. where the hcI can man 20
something TO do?" Mr Johnson asked
En- an UndertOne.
What"
That's right. I'm pretty near dow
and out,'
ware. huh2" The larger OF the pal
Mr.. Johneou's direction What yu
doin'-A. B.-I0ngshore work-wLat2'
Any old thing that comes first 70
tponded the Blonde youth. rather dis
malIy.
Fer a long time there was silence
Johnson broke Il al East with a sui
dued:
Have you ct YETI"
Nope"
ANY place We can get q decent feed
There's a good JOINT "a couple
blocks below" the big man RESPONDED
But it's % cents straight"
"WeH. come on" Walter Johuso
picked up his bag. III stand for :
Bill Come on and eat with me. ] 60
ter talk with somebody
The large man took q last look owe
the smaller one. He ended by pickiu
UP his own grip and Strengthening up
IT'S a good place he said brien
but 30 cents is a dickens OF a lot
money
well. we're only here once" NJ
johnson remarked, in true, spOrtlil
fashion.
Food is a wonderful help toward ri
ternizing.