Graham guardian., 1922-11-07
CHAPTER VIII
Trapped.


man had taken the initiative, thus
naturally opening up a way for ask
ing certain questions. Whatever his
own immediate object might be In
thus scraping an acquaintance made
no difference. 1t would doubtless de-
velop In time, but meanwhile here was
the opportunity sought to discuss the
affairs of the neighborhood. Yet the
subject must be approached with due
caution. The very indifference of the
bartender, coupled with the evident
desire of this hanger-on to form an
acquaintance, served to reveal the
real nature of the place. Plainly
suspicion and this was no ordinary
saloon, catering to whatever trade
drifted within its doors. More than
| likely 1t was rather thieves hang
out, ever suspicious Of the activity Of
the police,
semblance to the common conception
! Of the underworld. He was well
dressed, easy of manner, with an ex-
ceptionally intelligent face. blue eyes
meeting Vests gaze frankly, care
fully trimmed mustache, with white
teeth good humoredly showing when
he smiled, and threads of gray in his
! hair. His very appearance invited
confidence and comradeship, while his
outspoken words increased this Inn
| preston.
Excuse my butting in" he ex-
plained genially. "But It's d-n duh
around here tonight. Nobody to talk
with hut couple o. buns. You see
| don't belong around here; Just
dropped in for bit of business with
Mike"
al see," admitted West. puzzled,
and wondering how far he dared ven-
ture. "You can get loneller in big
Tty than anywhere else"
"You bet you can. You see run a
brokers' office down town, an it's
| pretty blame slow around dump like
this--you get mer'
"Sure: this seems to be pretty
| quiet
"Quietl HI 1t isn't always so quiet.
J I've dropped In here when II was live
4 ly enough believe me. But tonight It's
| the limit Fact is l come up for lit
| tie excitement, as much as anything
else, but must have struck an off
night You're smoke inspector, Mike
saysg'
West nodded.
"Know Fred Karvan, I suppose"
"Oh, yes;' friend Of yours?'
USED to be; We were kids together
down on the South side. He's got a
pretty soft job now; stands In strong
with the City hail. they tell me. Mean
to drop in and see him some Of these
days"
you'll find him mighty good fel-
low" asserted West, to whom the
name was entirely unfamiliar.
"Well, I'm not so sure about that.
He's got pretty stiff the last few years,
they tell me. But then You work un-
der him. and ought to know. Head of
I your department, isn't hep
"Yes, but only meet him in bust
ness way, of course"
"Sure: but that is the way you get
TO know them best. Been a soldier
haven't you?"
"Yes, but what made you thlnl;
thatT' In some surprise at the unex.
pected query. The man laughed
lighting cigar carelessly.
"Oh II has not been so long since,
that the evidence is obliterRted. I've
got habit of noticing things. The
way you sit and square your shoul
ders told me you'd been In uniform
besides, you're the right age. Get
across to France?'
"IIad over year there" wonder
ing what the fellow could be angling
after "You didn't get inT"
mo: was over the limit. I was
thinking you might be Interested IL
looking over a collection of war relies
Mike has got slowed away here some
where. He had two boys over there
and reckon they must have put II
most of their time gathering up sou
venIrs, Anyhow they brought hacl
the greatest collection of war jnnl
I've ever seen. Say, Mike, what die