The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-05-09

ner freQuents?"
The question appeared to produce
an Ralmost uncomfortable sensation.
The enthusiasm for the free drinks,
however, was only slightly damped,
and small forest Of grimy hands
were extended across the counter.
Don't you ask no questions about
i'm, guvnor," Sir Timothy's immediate
companion advised earnestly. He'd
kill you as soon as look at you. When
Bill the Tanners in a quarrelsome
mood, I've seen i'm empty this place
and. the whole street, quicker than II
a mad dog was loose. Els, fair and
oily terror, e is. ,''E about killed lis
wife, three nights ago, but there amt
living soul as d dare to stand in
the witness-box about It,"
"Why don't the police take hand
in the matter IL the man is such null
sance? Sir Timothy asked.
His new acquaintance, gripping q
thick tumbler of spirits and water with
hand deeply incrusted with the stains
Of his trade, scoffed.
"Police! Why. ed take on any
three of the police round these parts!"
he declared. POLICE! You tell one
on 'em that Billy the Tanners on the
rampage, and you'll see 'em 'op 1t.
Cicero. guvnor. and don't you get Curl
GUS about Billy. It amt 'ealthy."
The swing-door was suddenly
opened. A tousle-haired urchin showed
his face in.
BILLY the Tanners coming" he
shouted. "Cave, all! He's been 'avin'
u rare TODD in Smiths court"
Then a curious thing happened. The
little crowd at the bar seemed some
how to melt away. Half-a-dozen left
precipitately by the door. Half-a-
dozen more skunk through an inner en-
trance into some room beyond. Sir
Timothy's neighbor set down his tum-
bier empty. He was the last to leave.
IF you're going to stop ERE, guv-
Eor," he begged fervently, "you keep
stjll tongue in your cad Billy amt
particular who it is. Ed kill lis own
mother, IL e felt like 1t. Ell swing
some day, sure as stand ere. but
ell do bit more mischief first. 'Op
it with me, guvnOr, or get inside there"
"Jim's right" the man behind the
bar agreed. "He's very nasty Gus
toner, Bill the Tanner, sir. If he's
coming down, I'd clear out for mo-
ment. You can go in the guvnor's
sitting-room, IL you like"
Sir Timothy shook his head.
"Billy the Tanner will not hurt me-"
he said. "As a matter of fact, came
dowE to see him." =
His new friend heSitated no longer,
out made for the door through which
most Of his companions had already
disappeared. The barman leaned
across the counter.
"Guvnor," he whispered hoarsely,
II don't know what the game is, but
I've given you the Office. Billy won't
stand no truck from anyone. He's a
holy terror" >'a
Sir Timothy nodded.
II quite understand" he said.
There was a moments ominOus 81
lence. The barman withdrew to the
farther end Of his domain and busted
himself cleaning some glasses. Sud-
| denly the door was swung open. A
man entered whose appearance alone
was calculated to inspire a certain
amount of fear. He was tall, but his
height escaped notice by reason OF
the extraordinary breadth of his shout
| ders He had a coarse and vicious
face, a crop of red hair, and an un-
shaven growth Of the same upon his
| face. He wore what appeared to be
the popular dress in the neighbor-
hood-a pair of trousers suspended by
belt. and dirty flannel shirt. His
hands and even his chest, where the
shirt fell away, were discolOred by yell
low stains. He looked around the
room at first with an air of disappoint-
ment. Then he caught sight of Sir
Timothy standing at the counter. and
he frightened up. @
where's all the crowd, TOMB" he
| asked the barman.
Scared of you, l reckon" was the
brief reply. There was plenty here
few minutes ago."
Scared of me, eh?" the other re-
peated, staring hard at Sir Timothy.
did you ear that, guvnor?"
81 heard It," Sir Timothy acqui-
esced.
Billy the Tanner began to cheer up.
He walked all around this stranger.
"a toff! A big toff! I'll ave drink
with you, guvnOr," he declared, with a
note of incipient turbulence in his tone.
The barman had already reached up
for two glasses. but Sir Timothy shook
his head.
81 think not" he said.
There was a moments silence. The
barman made despairing signs at Sir
Timothy. Billy the Tanner was mois-
tening his lips with his tongue.
3"Why not?" he demanded.
Because I don't know you and
dou,t lilo vntI - was tho bland renIv