The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1911-08-17
CHAPTER Viii. (continued.)


''Who?" Her glance was penetrat-
ing "Oh, he's wytin' for you" She
nodded, lifting shrill voice. "Garge,
o Cargo! 'Ere's that Yankee" With
a bare red elbow 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,
extricating himself from the press
around the bar, made his way in the
direction indicated A couple of bill
lard tables with a small mob of on
lockers htndered him, but by main
strength and diplomacy he wormed
his way past and reached the rear OF
the room. There were fewer loafers
here and he had little hesitation about
selecting from an attendant circle Of
sycophants the genius of the dive
Honest George himself, a fat and
burly rufian who filled to overflow
ing the inadequate accommodation of
an armchair. Sitting thus enthroned
in hts shirt-sleeves, his greasy and
unshaven red face irradiating aVsort
of low good-humor that was belieA by
the cold cunning of his little eyes, be-
Ss.-alled admirably the requirements
nj the role@he played self-cast.
Ere, you'll" he hailed Amber
brusquely. You're a ell of a job
'unter, amt you? Mister Abercrom-
Dies been wytin' for you this hour
gone. Know the wy upstairs ?"
His tone was boisterous enough to-
nx upon Amber the attention of tte
Knot of loafers round the armchair
Amber felt himself under the pa1ticu-
lar regard of dozen pair of dyes, felt
that his measure was takenf and his
identification complete. l&ispleased,
ne answered CURLY: "No.Y
This wy, then" Honest George
hoisted himself ponderou&ly out of his
armchair and numbered heavily across
the room, shoulderin& the crowd
aside with high-ha nded contempt
for the pack of Them Jerking open a
small door in the side wall, he beck
oned Amber on with backward nod
Oh his heavy head. BE bit lively,
carat your" he growled; and Amber.
IN despite oK qualms of distrust, fol-
lowed the yellow into small and moi
some ha1 1way lighted by single gas
Jet On the one hand flight of rick
ely st cps ran up into repellent OBJ
scurlty on the other low door stood
open TO the night.
ne crimp lowered his voice. Your
risstend's this wy" He waved his fat
Red hand toward the door. Them
90 Dols back there'll think you're tryin'
for a berth with Abercrombie, the
ghip-master. l '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 small,
tagged well between towering black
walls and left him at the threshold OF
a second doorway. 1.-TWO flights up,
the door at the top he said; knock
twice and then twice" And without
waiting for an answer he lurched
heavily back to his own establish
ment.
Amber watched his broad back I'LL
the dimly lighted doorway opposite
and disappear, Of two minds whether
or not to turn tail and run. SUSPECT
GUS enough in the beginning, the af-
fair had now an exceeding evil smell
las repulsive figuratively as was the
actual efHuvium of the premises.
With a shrug, at length, he took his
courage in his hapds-and his life,
too, for all he knew to the contrary
and moved on into the blacknesss
cropping his way cautiously down a
short corridor, his fingers on either
side brushing walls of rotten plaster.
He had absolutely nothing to guide
him beyond the crimp's terse instruc-
tions Underfoot the flooring seemed
to sag ominously; 1t creaked hideous-
". Abruptly he stumbled against an
obstruction. halted, and lighted 2
match.
The Insignificant flame showed him
d fight Of stairs, leading up to dark
ness. With drumming heart he be-
gan to ascend, counting Fl steps ere
his feet failed to find another Then
cropping again, one hand encountered
s haiuster-rail: with this for guide he
and followed It until It began
cwsrds. This time he count