The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-21
CHAPTER viii.
lcentlnued.l

feet In the hallway, and teen some
one knocked loudly on his door. Gil.
more glanced hastily about 10 assure
himself that the tell-tafe parapher-
MALTA OF his craft were nowhere Wis.
ible, and that the room was al he
liked TO fancy 1.-THE parlor OF a gen.
tleman with sufficient income and
quiet taste.
Come In" he called at last. with
out quitting his chair.
The door slowly opened and the
crown of a battered cap first appear
ed. then a long face streaked with
coal-dust and CRIME and further decor
ated about the chin by violently red
stubble OF several days growth. with
30 much Of himself showing, the new
conner paused on the threshold in APP
parent doubt as TO whether he would
be permitted to enter, or ordered 70
withdraw.
Come In, Joe. and shut the door,"
said Gilmore.
At his bidding the shoulders and
trunk, and lastly the legs OF SLOUGH
ing shambling man of 4S or so entered
the room.
Closing the door Joe Montgomery
slipped on one patched and ragged
cloth mitten and removed his battered
cap.
well, what the devil do you
wantr demanded Gilmore sharply
Joe, shuffling and stumbling. edged
toward the CRATE.
BOSS, I want TO drop q word with
you'll" he said in a husky voice. His
glance did not quite meet Gilmores,
but the moment Gilmore shifted his
gaze, that moment Joe's small, bright
blue eyes sought the gamblers.
Gilmore and Joe Montgomery were
distantly related, and while the latter
never presumed on the score OF his
remote connection, the gambler MIN
self tacitly admitted ii by the help he
now and then extended him, for Mont
gomery's means OF subsistence were
At the best precarious. II he had been
called on to do SO. he would have de-
scribed himself as handy-man,
since he lived by the doing OF odd
Jobs. He cleaned carpets In the
spring: he cut lawns In the summer;
in the fall he carried coal into the
cellars Of Mount Hope, and In the win
ter he shoveled the snow on Mount
Hopes pavements: and at all times
and In all seasons, whether these IN
dustries fourished or languished he
drank.
He now established himself on Mr..
Gilmore's hearth-a necessity--for he
bent his hulking body and stuck his
curly red head we'll into the CRATE;
then as he withdrew 1t, he passed the
hack OF his hand across his discolor-
ed lips.
Excuse, me, boss, had to" he
apologized
In Mr.. GiImore's presence Joe in
clined toward a humble deeency, for
he was vaguely aware that he was an
unclean thing, and that onls the mys-
terious bond OF blood gave him this
rich and powerful patron.
well, you old sot!" said Gilmore
pleasantly. "You haven't drunk your
self to death since saw you In Nc
Brides last night?
The handy-man gave him wide
toothless grin, and his bashful blue
eyes shifted, shuttle-wise, In their
sockets until he was able 70 survey
in full the splendor OF the apartment
Boss, you got a sureenough well
dressed room; ! never seen anything
that could hold a candle to tits a
Bird" He stole a shy abashed glance
at the pictures on the wall, but be-
coming aware that Gilmore was
watching him, he dropped his eyes In
some confusion. IL reckon them fe-
male pictures cost a fortune!" he
said.
sThey cost enough" rejoined Gil
more, and again Montgomery yentur.
ed covert glance in the direction OF
one OF the works OF art.
II reckon 1t was summertime" he
limited modestly.
Gilmore laughed.
How would you like one Of themH''
he asked.
Montgomery gave him a swift
glance Of alarm.
mo, boss, I'm a respectable married
man, and II / logged one OF them
ladies home with me, my old woman
wouldn't do a thing but raise hell!
Boss, they're raw; yes, sir, that's it
they're raw" Then fearing he had
gone too far In adverse criticism, he
added, Friends Of yours. bossr
mot all OF theml- said Gilmore,
with lazy amusement
"Catched unawares?" limited Mont
gomery. But Gilmore changed the
subject abruptly.
Well, what did you come here
IOtI Ne QomhnoeQ.
II got q lot Of things on my mind,
bossl been a-worryin' all morning
and then thinks Of you. Mr.. Gil
more's the man to go to- I tells my
self. and quit my job and come
here
He stuck his head into the CRATE
again, but this time without apology.
Il suppose you are In trouble?' said
Gilmore, and his genial mood seemed
10 chill suddenly.
You're right. boss, I'm IN a heap
OF troubled"
We'll. then, clear out OF here!" said
Gilmore. -.--s-E-.
Hold on, boss, 1t amt that kind OF
trouble!" interposed the handy-man
hastily.
What do you want?"
Advice"
Gilmore leaned back In his easy
chair and crossed his legs.
Go onl" he ordered briefly.
"A handy-man like me dom al
kinds OF jobs for all kinds OF peopl,
II sure to see some curious things
amt he, boss7"
"wellf"
"Pm here to tell you what seer
boss; and every word OF II will b
God Amighty's truth"
1T had better bel" rejoined Gil
more quietly, but with significau
emphasis.