Evening star., 1939-07-23


toward the street.
He went through the tiny, empty foyer of
his apartment house and up to his rooms in
the same state of dazed bitterness. He stared
for long time at the slip of paper that had
been thrust under his door before he picked it
up The grabbed scrawl on the paper said,
"Barrio's, 4th Street." 1t was signed,
Sebastian"
Barrio's was dingy little joint, tucked in
between real estate Office and gypsy
tea ROOM Bill pushed through the door and
halted He could feel the muscles along his
jaw Tightening until they ached. Sebastian
was sitting in corner, slouched down in a
chair with bottle of wine and glass on the
table in front of him.
He did not seem to notice Bill as he came
in. did not look up until Bill stepped in front
of him. Then he put his head on one side and
surveyed Bill through screen of smoke that
drifted up from the brown-paper cigarettes
between his thin lips. "Ah, Senor Squire, so
you ave got the message, no?"
Bill held himself rigidly. Il got the mes
sage" His eyes stabbed Sebastian, trying to
see past the evil mask of his face, but getting
no further than the surface with which guile
and treachery had glazed it.
Sebastian punched out the cigarette, picked
up the wine glass and ga7ed deliberately at
Bill over the rim as he drank, his jet black
eyes mocking. Putting the glass back on the
table, he wiped his lips with the back of his
hand and said softly, THE Senor is in 50 great
trouble, no?''
Bill felt the last vestige of self-control
leaving him. He snapped, "Stop stallng,
Sebastian If you know anything, talk"
Sebastian smiled while his bright, cunning
little eyes continued to mock Bill. There is
YER old saying that talk she is cheap. An,
Senor, eet is not 50. The talk of Sebastian is
not cheap. You have money. yes?" He licked
his lips.
Bill leaned forward with clenched fists on
the table and spoke through stiff lips: Il said,
stop staling. What have you to sell, and how
much do you WANT"
"Ah, Senor, you are the wise man. l ave
indeed that to sell. ave that to sell which
would clear the Seaor's 'onor. Your 'onor, eet
is YER precious, no."
Bill stood very straight, studying Sebastian
long time Finally he said Il could perhaps
dig up five thousand"
Sebastian said swiftly, Seven. Senor." He
smiled brightly ard added, There is other
Senor who would pay five"
you lie, Sebastian. If you could get five
thousand from another guy you would deal
with him. How do I know you won't?"
Sebastian threw back his head and drew a
dark forefinger across his throat. There is
also the danger of this with the other senor."
Bill scowled. Then his voice grew tauter.
Five is the limit. That's all have in the
bank and there isn't man in town today who
would lend me cent"
"Eet is 50 small sum for the 50 precious
onor," Sebastian protested plaintively. Il
would ave to consider most deeply"
Five thousand. That's all I've got"
Sebastian watched Bill, his head on one
side, his eyes probing Il will consider" he
said slowly. Tonight will tell you"
From Barrio's, Bill went to the bank to
clean out his account, just little more than
five thousand. Then he started making the
rounds looking for Dib Rand. Dib knew
CContinvsd on poos 1)