man stood there in the
far corner of the doorway, his back to the street, his head seemingly
bowed in his arms. A man of such huge proportions, that Martin, but
two inches less than six feet, himself, felt like a pigmy in
comparison. The man's outline was vague and enhanced by the gloom;
Martin, a-tingle with the unexpected collision, had the first thought
it was a preposterous apparition.

There came a rumble from the giant's corner. It was a noise as
surprising as the other's appearance; it checked Martin's apology. It
was a rumble of parts; it seemed to be compounded of a prodigious sigh,
a strangled sob, and a sneeze. It bespoke misery.

"Sick?" asked Martin.

A groan. Then a series of well-formed sighs. Then the giant turned
and loomed above Martin, snuffling.

"Ow, swiggle me!" rumbled a deep and husky voice. "Ow, I'm in a proper
fix, I am. Ow, where 'as 'e got 'imself to! Ow, why didn't I die
afore I was born, says I!"

"Why, what is the matter? Come, come!" exclaimed Martin, aghast at the
stricken voice.

The big man teetered to and fro upon his feet. He was perhaps wrestled
by sorrow. But Martin smelled whisky.

"Come, brace up!" he admonished.

"Ow, strike me, I'm in for it, I am!" came the plaintive growl. "I've
gone an' lost 'im, I 'ave; I've gone an' lost Little Billy. Can't find
'im, can't find 'im in the bloomin' town. I've looked in a thousand
bleedin' pubs, I 'ave, and I can't find Little Billy. Walked a blister
on my foot, I 'ave. Ow, swiggle me, what a snorkin' day I've 'ad!"

The words tumbled forth heavy laden with alcohol. Martin could
understand there had been a wet search. The other groaned and
strangled.

"Ow, swiggle me stiff!" he ejaculated despairingly. "What am I goin'
to say to the blessed, bleedin' little mate!"

"Oh, come now, don't be down-hearted," cheered Martin. The man and his
words fell in with Martin's mood.

Both were unusual--this was better than listening to a phonograph's
banal wail, or conversing with a giggling manicurist!

"Cheer up, there are many more than a thousand saloons in this city,"
assured Martin. "You have not yet tried them all. There is one in
this building. Have you visited it?"

"In this building! A saloon in this building!" echoed the other.
There was surprise, and much less sorrow in his voice. "Ow, swiggle me
stiff, lad, let's go 'ave a wet!"

He placed a hand the size of a ham on Martin's shoulder, lurched out