Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-09-14
CHAPTER vii. (contlnued.)


"Who% Her glance was penetrat-
ing. "Oh, he's wytin' for you" She
nodded, lifting a shrfll voice. Cargo,
@ Cargo! 'Ere's that Yankee" With
y bare red elbow she indicated the
$arther end of the room. You'll find
YIN down there" she said, her look
Not snkindly.
Amber thanked her quietly, and,
~xtricating himself from the press
0souad the bar, made his way In the
direction indicated. A couple of bill
liapd tables with a small mob Of on
lockers hindered him, but by main
strength and diplomacy he wormed
bis way past and reached the rea of
$hs room. There were fewer loafers
herr and he had little hesitation about
selecting from an attendant circle Of
sycophants tho genius Of the dive
Honest George himself, a fat and
ing the inadequate accommodation OF
an armchair. Sitting thus enthroned
In his shirt-sleeves, his greasy and
unshaven red face irradiating a sort
Of low good-humor that was belied by
the cold cunning of his little eyes, he
fulfilled admirably the requirements
of the role he played self-cast.
Ere, you!" he hailed Ambe,
hrusquely. You're a ell Of a job
Inter, amt you? Mister Abercrom-
bie's been wytin' for you this hour
gone. Know the wy upstairs?"
His tone was boisterous enough tc
ak upon Amber the attention of the
knot Of loafers round the armchair
Amber felt himself under the particu
lar regard of a dozen pair Of eyes, fell
that his measure was taken and his
identification complete. Displeased
ha answered CURLY: mo"
"This wy. then" Honest George
hoisted himself ponderously out of hil
armchair and numbered heavily across
the room, shouldering the crowt
aside with q ~high-handed contemp
Cor the pack Of them. Jerking open {
small door in the side wall, he beck
aned Amber on with a backward moo
of his heavy head. BE a bit lively
carn't your" he growled; and Amber
in despite of qualms of distrust. fol
lowed the fellow into a small and moi
some hallway lighted by a single ga
Aet. On the n hand a fight Of rick
aty steps ran up into repellent oh
security; on the other a low door stoot
open to the night.
The crimp lowered his voice. "You
friends this wy" He waved his ia
red hand toward the door. Then
fools back there'll think you're tryir
for a berth with Abercrombie, tn
ship-master. l 'opes you'll not tyk
otfense at the wy I 'ad to rag 20
back there, sir"
mo" said Amber, and Homes
George led the way out into a small
tagged well between towering blac
walls and left him at the threshold c
q second doorway. 1.-TWO flights VI
the door at the top" he said; "knoc
twice and then twice." And withou
waiting for al answer he lurche
heavily back to his own establish
ment.
Amber watched his broad back A
the dimly lighted doorway opposit
and disappear, Of two minds whethe
or not to turn tail and run. Suspic
GUS enough in the beginning, the a
fair had now an exceeding evil SINE
las repulsive f1guratively Is vas tn
actual efiuvium Of the premises.
With a shrug, at length, he took h
courage iii his hands-and his lf,
too, for all he knew to the contrary
and moved on into the b1acknes
cropping his way cautiously down
short corridor, his fingers on eitht
side brushing walls of rotten plaste
He had absolutely nothing to guild
him beyond the crimp's terse instru
lions. Underfoot the flooring SCENE
10 sag ominously; it creaked hideou
ay. Abruptly he stumbled against O
obstruction, halted, and lighted
match.
The insignificant fame showed hi
q fight of stairs, leading up to dar
ness. With q drumming heart he b
gan to ascend, counting 81 steps 81
bis feet faile& to nnd another. The
cropping again one hand encounters
q ba~luster-rail, with this for guide !
turned and followed IL until 1t begs
10 slant upwards. This time he cous
Il IL steps before his eyes. risii