of men were
assembled. They were all young in years, in other things not youthful.
Some of them lounged against the wall. Some sat at tables. All were
drinking. The air was foul with smoke and reeked with the odor of vile
liquor.

"We've got two jobs on hand to-night," said the leader of the gang.
"There's a crib to be cracked an' a guy to be croaked. Red, you an'
Gypsie an' the Gunney will crack the crib. It's dead easy. Only an old
man an' his wife. The servants are out except one an' he's fixed. I'll
give you the layout presently. The other job's harder. Kid, I'll put you
in charge, an' as it's got to be done early to-night I'll give you the
orders now. He'll be at The Montmorency at ten o'clock. Someone will
call him out to the street."

"Who?"

"Never mind who. You'll be there in the car."

"Whose car?"

"Never mind whose. Why're you askin' so many questions? It'll take you
an' the four to The Montmorency at ten o'clock. When he comes out every
one of you let go, the whole bunch, understand. If they don't find five
bullets in him there'll be trouble to-morrow."

"What do we get out of it?"

"A hundred apiece fer you an' a hundred an' fifty fer me fer engineerin'
the job. Christmas money! You get me?"

"Of course. How'll we know who we've got to shoot?"

"I'll be there myself on the sidewalk. I'll point him out to you."

"The police?"

"They're fixed."

"Easy enough," said the Kid, the youngest of the gang.

"Well, you guys," said the leader pointing out four of the men, "will go
with the Kid. The car'll be at the door in half an hour."

"Now, gimme my orders," said Red.

The gang leader scribbled something on a bit of paper.

"You go to that number with these two guys between midnight an' two in
the mornin'. You'll find a back winder open. Here's the combination of
the safe. The silver'll be in that."

"Jewels?"

"In a wall cabinet upstairs. It'll be unlocked."

"An' if they make any noise?"

"Croak 'em, of course. But don't make no noise doin' it. Better use a
blackjack. We're not sure about the cop on that beat."

"I understand."

"Well, git your gats and make ready. Before we go, the drinks'll be on
me. Fill up, men," he added, first pouring himself a liberal glassful,
"an' here's to bringin' it off easy."

With deep relish the toast was drunk by all save Red and the Kid. Red
set his glass down on the table. The Kid dropped his to the floor.

"There's somebody else in the room,"