The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-11-16
(Cdntinued from last weekly
CHAPTER vii
Trapped.


An Trapped.
West smiled pleasantly, glad /the
man had taken the initiative. thu,
naturally opening up a way for ask.
ing certain questions. Whatever hii
own Immediate object might be IL
thus scraping 1p acquaintance inu,Y
no difference Il would doubtless d,
yelop in time, but meanwhile here w;t
the opportunity sought to discuss tin
afrairs Of the neighborhood. Yet TIM
subject must be- approached with Jui
caution. The very Indifference of thl
bartender, coupled with the evident
desire Of this hanger-on to form M
acquaintance, served to reveal the
real nature Of the place. PIainl,
enough strangers were viewed witt
suspicion, and this was no ordinary
saloon, catering to whatever tradt
drifted within Its doors. More thar
likely 1t was rather a thieves hans
out ever suspicious Of the activity a
the police.
Yet this fellow bore no outward
semblance to the common concsptioI
OF the underworld He was vel
dressed, easy of manner, with an eS
centionally Intelligent face, blue eyet
meeting Vests gaze frankly, care
fully trimmed mustache, with whit,
teeth good humoredly showing wheI
he smiled. and threads Of gray IN hi,
hair. His very appearance invited
confidence and comradeship, while hi,
o"tspoken words increased this i'm
preston.
EXCUSE my butting In" he ex
planned gcnially. "But it's d-n dull
around here tonight. Nobody to tall
with but couple o. buns. You see
don't belong around here: juS
cropped In for bit Of business with
Mike"
II see" admitted West, puzzled
and wondering how far he dared ven
ture. "You can get loneiier in big
city than anywhere else"
"YOu bet you can. You see I run
brokers' office down town, an it's
pretty blame slow around n dump like
this-you get mer'
"Sure; this seems to be pretty,
quiet place."
"Quict Hit It isn't always sc, quiet.
I've dropped In here when 1t was live
ly enough. believe me. But tonight it's
the limit. Fact is come up for lit
tie excitement, as much as anything
else, but must have struck an Off
night. You're a smoke Inspector, Mike
says7"
West nodded.
"KnOw Fred Karvan. supposeT
"Oh, yes; friend Of yours?"
used to be; we were kids tugcther
down on the South side. He's got
pretty soft job now; stands in strong
with the City hall, they tell me. Mean
to drop in and see him some of these
days"
you'll find him mighty good fe!-
low" asserted West, to whom the
name was entirely unfamiliar.
We'll. 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
youf department, isn't hef-
"Yes. but only meet hin in busi-
ness way. Of course"
Sure; but that Is tho way you get
to know. them best. Been soldier.
haven't your
Eyes, but what made you think
thatr' In some surprise at the nnex.
pected query. The man laughed.
lighting cigar carelessly.
"Oh, II has not been so long since,
that the evidence Is obliterated. 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 FranceT
Had over year there" wonder
ing-what the fellow could he angling
after "You didn't get in?"
"No; I was over the limit was
thinking you might be interested i'm
looking over collection Of war relics
Mike has got slowed away here some
where. He had two boys over there,
and reckon, they must have put In
most Of their time gathering up SOU
venirs. Anyhow they brought back
the greatest collection OF war junk
I've ever seen. Say, Mike. what did
you do with those war relics the boys
sent homer"
The fellow addressed leaned over
the bar, his face glowing with sudden
! Interest.
'They vas In the back-room, all
spread out. Why you ask2 The gen
>tiemen would see them, whatT'
"Yes: this one was soldier him
self. How Is it7 You fellows like tc
see the thingsr'
West hesitated for just an instant
his eyes turning unconsciously towart
Sexton. who had not spoken. He fell
no suspicion, merely a vague doubt q.
to what this invitation might conceal
Yet II had all been natural enough
and promised an opportunity for hin
TO learn something more Of the place
Besides, there could be no danger
both he and Sexton were armed. ant
apparently the invitation was limo
Gently extended To refuse to accep
would be churlish.
Certainly" ne said at last quaffin,
the last Of his beer and rising to hi.
feet. ut Will be nothing new to me