Williams news., 1916-01-13
CHAPTER VI.
In the Next Room,

In the Next Room.
 "Craig?" Warrington whispered the word, as if he feared the world might hear the deadly menace in his voice. For murder leaped up in his heart as flame leaps up in pine kindling.
 The weak young man got to his knees, then to his feet. He steadied himself by clutching the back of chair. With one hand he felt of his throat tenderly.
 "He tried to kill me. the black guard" he croaked.
 Craig, it is you! For ten years I've never thought of you without mur- der in my heart. Newell Craig, and here, right where can put my hands upon you! Oh,, this old world is small" Warrington laughed. It was a high. thin sound.
 The young man looked from his en- emy to his deliverer, and back again. What new row was this? Never be- fore had he seen the blackguard with that look in his dark, handsome, preda- tory face. It typified fear. And who was this big, blond chap whose fingers were working so convulsively?
 Craig" said the young man, you get out of here, and if you ever come bothering me, I'll shoot you. Hear mel"
 This direful threat did not seem to stir the sense of hearing in either of the two men. Suddenly the blond man caught the door and swung it wide.
 Craig, a week ago I'd have throttled you without the least compunction. Today I can't touch you But get out of here as fast as you can. You might have gone feet foremost. Go! Out of Rangoon, too. may change my mind" The man called Craig walked out. squaring his shoulders with a touch of bravado that did not impress even the plucked pigeon. Warrington stood listening until he heard the hall door close sharply.
 Thanks" said the bewildered youth. Warrington whirled upon him sav- agely. Thanks? Don't thank me. you weak-kneed fool!"
 "Oh, I say. now!" the other pro- tested.
 Be silent! If you owe that scoun- drel anything, refuse to pay it. He never won a penny in his life without cheating. Keep out of his way; keep out of the way, of all men who prefer to deal only two hands," And with this advice Warrington stepped out into the hallway and shut the door rudely. &s
 Dow ha hov of oi gars," Warrington directed James. Never mind about the wine. shan't want it now
 James went out upon the errands im- mediately.
 Warrington dropped down in the creaky rocking-chair, the only one in the boarding house. He stared at the worn and faded carpet. How dingy everything looked! What a sordid rut he had been content to lie in! Chance: to throw this man across his him, forgotten that he had sworn to break the mans neck over his knees! In the very next room! And he had permitted him to go unharmed simply because his mind was full of a girl he would never see again after tomorrow. What was the rascal doing over here? What had caused him to forsake the easy pluckings of Broadway in ex- change for dogs life on packet boats, in a squalid boarding house like this one, and in dismal billiard halls? Wire tapper, racing tout, stool pigeon, a cheater at cards. bIackmailer and traf- fnknr in haCar fhfnoc. in ha room, and he had let him go unharmed. Ten years ago and thirteen thousand miles away. In the next room. He laughed unpleasaDtly. Chivalric fool, silly Don Quixote, sentimental dream CT, to have made a hash of his life in this manner!
 He leaned toward the window sill and opened the cage. Rajah walked out, fnuttering
 
 When it was possible, Elsa pre- ferred to walk. She was young and strong and active, and she went along with a swinging stride that made ob- vious serene confidence in her ability to take care of herself. What the un- knowing called willfulness wae simply natural independence, which she as- serted whenever occasion demanded it.
 She loved to prowl through the strange streets and alleys and stranger Fhops; it was joy to ramble about minus the irritating importunities of guide or attendant. It was great fun but it was not always wise There were some situations which only men could successfully handle. Elsa would