South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-06-24
The PRICE OF WIGGINS'S ORGY By Algernon Baclwood

before he got halfway that he had not paid his
bill. Turning in a half-crcle that brought an
unnecessary quantity Of the room round with
him. he made his way back lost his way.
fumbled about In the increasing gloom, and
found himself face 10 face with the-Head
Waiter The unexpected meeting braced him
astonishiugly The dignity Of the man had
curiously increased.
I'm looking for my bill" observed Virgins
thickly wondering for the twentieth time OF
whom the mans face reminded him; you
haven't seen il about anywhere, | shupposa?
n sat down with more dignity than he could
nave supposed possible and produced a bin
from his pocket the lining OF the pocket com
ing out with it like a dirty glove.
Most of the guests had gone out by this time
and the big hall was dark. Two lights only
remained, and these. reflected from mirror to
mirror, made its proportions seem vast and
unreal They few from place to place, too. dis
tressngly-these lights.
Sixty cents will settle that, sir" replied the
man. with a respectful bow.
"Nonshense!" replied the other. Why
ordered Lancashire hotch-potch, griled shole a
"a bird or something of the kind. and the
wine"
Il beg your pardon, sir. buff you will per
NIT me to say so-the others will soon be here
now. and-as there viii be a specially large
attendance. perhaps you would like to make
sure of your place" He pocketed the silver
Virgins gave him with bow. pointed to the
far. dim corner Of the room, and stepped aside
little to make space for Virgins to pass
At vast distance of the Head Waiter
moving to close the main doors, utterly obiv-
now of his existence. He felt glad of that
Something about that fellow was disagreeable
downright nasty. This suddenly came over
him with a icOd of conviction. The
more than peculiar; he was sinister
The air smeit horribly of cooked food. tobacco
smoke breathing crowds, scented women and
the rest. Whiffs Of il, hot and foetid brought
him a little to his senses. Then sud
denly he noticed that the big man with the face
that dark and smooth like the muzzle of
a cannon, was watching him keeny from
table on the other side where electric light
still burned.
by George! There he is again, that Teller!
Wonder whatsh he's smiling at me for. Look
Ing for'sh bill too, praps- Now, in Soup
Kishen nothing Of the kind"
He bowed in return smiling insolently, hold
ing himself steady by chair to do so. He
showed and stumbled his way on into the
shadows, half-mingling with the throng passing
out into the street. Then. making a sharp
turn back into the room unobserved, he took
a few uncertain steps and collapsed silently
and helplessiy upon a chair that hidden
behind big palm tree in dark corner.
And the last thing he remembered as he
sank. homeless, like soft hay, into that corner
was that the sham palm tree bowed toward him.
then off into the ceiling, and from that
elevation, which in way diminished its size,
bowed to him yet again.
1t just after his eyes Closed that the
door in the gilt panelling at the end of the
softly opened and woman entered on
tiptoe. She was followed by other women and
several girls; these again, from time to time,
by men, all dressed in black, all silent and all
ushered by the majestic Head Waiter to their
places. The Big man with the face like gun
muzzie superintendent And each individual. on
entering, was held there at the secret doorway
until a certain sentence had passed his lips.
Evidently a password 1T is Saturday night"
said the one being admitted. 'and we close
early replied the Head Waiter and the big
man. And then the door was closed until the
next soft tapping came.
But Virgins, plunged in the stupor OF the
first sleep knew none OF all this. His frock-
coat was punched about his neck. his black tie
under his ear, his feet resting higher than his
head He looked like a collapsed airship in
hedge and he snored heavily.
II was about an hour later when he opened
his eyes, climbed painfully and heavily to his
feet. staggered back against the wall utterly
bewildered-and stared. At the far end of the
great hall, its loftiness now dim, was a group
OF people. The big mirrors all sides
1ected them with the effect of increasing their
numbers indefinitely. They stood and sat upon
improvised platform. The electric lights,
shaded with black dropped a pale glitter upon
their faces. They were Systematically grouped
the big man in the centre. the Head Waiter
at a small table just behind him The former
was speaking in row measured tones.
In his dark and distant corner Virgins first
Of all seized the carafe and quenched mis- fever
ish thirst Next be advanced slowly and with
a
where he could hear what being said He
was still good deal confused in mind and had
no idea what the hour was or what he had
been doing in the meantime. There we're some
twenty or thirty people. he saw, of both sexes
we'll dressed man yof them distinguished In ap-
rearance, and all wearing black; their
gloves we're black; some of the women. too.
wore black veils-very thick. But in all the
faces without exception there was something
was il about the bps and mouths?-that was
peculiar and-repelent
Obviously this meeting OF some kind
Some society had hired the hall for a private
gathering Virgins. understanding this began
TO feel awkward. He did not wish to intrude
he had no right to listen; yet TO make himself
known was 10 betray that ne was still very con
sidersbly intoxicated. The problem presented
itself IN these simple terms TO his dazed intel
Hgence He also aware Of another fact;
about these biack-rObed people there was some
thing which made him secretly and horribly
afraid.
The big man with the smooth face like a gun
muzZe sat down after a softly uttered speech.
and the group instead of applauding with their
hands. waved black handkerChiefs The hutter-
ing sound OF them tricked along the wastes Of
hall toward the concealed eavesdropper Then
the Head Waiter rose to introduce the next
speaker and the instant Virgins him he
understood what II was in his face that was
familiar. For the false beard no longer adorned