y, "hark to 'em howl! That means some guy's
gettin' his, alright. Listen to 'em; they love t' get blood for their
entrance money, an' they're sure gettin' it. Some one's bein' knocked
out--come on!"

It was a dark night, for there was no moon and the stars were hidden;
thus, as Ravenslee followed the Spider, he found himself stumbling over
the uneven ground of a vacant lot, a lonely place beyond which lay the
distant river. At last they reached various outbuildings, looming up
ugly and ungainly in the dimness.

"Say, bo," said the Spider, stopping suddenly at a small and narrow
door, "you'd best wait here and lemme go first."

"No, we'll go together."

"Right-o, only be ready to make a quick get-away!"

So saying, the Spider opened the door and, closely followed by
Ravenslee, stepped into a dimly-lit passage thick with the blue vapour
of cigars and cigarettes. It was a long, narrow corridor, bare and
uncarpeted, seeming to run the length of the building; on one hand was
a row of dingy windows and on the other were several doors, from behind
which came the sound of many voices that talked and sang and swore
together, a very babel.

At the end of this passage was yet another door which gave upon a small
room that contained a rickety sofa, a chair, and a battered desk; a
kerosene lamp suspended against the wall burned dimly, and it was into
this chamber that the Spider ushered Ravenslee somewhat hastily; the
Spider's eyes were very bright, and he chewed rather more fiercely than
usual.

"Bo," said he, "this place ain't exactly a bed o' roses for a strange
guy like you. Y' see, this is Bud's own stampin'-ground, an' the whole
bunch is here t'night, and most of 'em are heeled. Soapy an' Bud always
tote guns, I know. So I guess you'd better mark time here a bit while I
chase around an' locate th' Kid. If any one asks what you're doin'
around here, say as you come in with me. But, bo"--and here the Spider
laid an impressive hand on Ravenslee's arm--"if you should happen t' see
Bud, well, don't stop to look twice but beat it--let it be th' door or
winder for yours--only--beat it!"

"Oh, why?"

"Well, I know Bud's got it in fer you; I heard him say--oh, well, if
his gun should go off--accidental-like, this place ain't exactly
Broadway or Fifth Av'noo, bo--see?"

"I see!" nodded Ravenslee.

"Hold on!" said Spider, and crossing to the window, he unlatched it
stealthily and lifted it high, "if I ain't back inside of