o the rear, and faced a desolate assortment of back yards, rear walls, and rickety stairways. The floor had a worn carpet, and there was a desk, a few chairs and a shelf of law books. The place

the three avenues of possible attack or retreat. The window upon examination appeared impracticable. There was a sheer drop of twenty feet, without a projection of any kind below it. The ledge was hardly an inch wide. The iron shutters by which it might be closed did not swing within ten feet of any other window. The one chance of getting in by this line was to drop a rope

ed, to contend against the power of the richest man in the city, and bring home to him the murder of Henry Wilton? I could look for no assistance from the police. The words of Detective Coogan were enough to show that only the most con

rning, who was ready to engage him in his confidential business? And had I the right to accept any part in his business? It had the flavor of treachery about it; yet it seemed the only possible chance to come upon the secret springs of his acts, to come in touch with the tools and accomplices in

ssed me with these insistent questions, and as I vainly struggled a

ery bone in my body ached from the cramped position in which I had slept, and it seemed an age before I could rouse myself to

hen I heard a low chuckle, as of some one struggling to restrain his laughter; and so far from sympa

d a low voice, which still seemed to

id another and harsher voice

re?" asked the first voi

n, and Porter and I have tak

e asleep after that racket. Say!" he called, "Harry! W

ly, but I hesitated

s," said Dicky. "Something must have happe

cried. "Wha

tically. "You've come t

'm not d

wrapped around the rock I heaved through the transom. I thought it was open." A

ighted the gas-jet I picked up the stone that lay among the fragmen

, at midnigh

r note. Dicky and his companion must then be protectors instead of e

ready, confident air about him. I had no trouble in picking him out as the amused Dicky.

If it hadn't been for Pork Chops here, I shou

t's up now

ent surprise. "But you'd better be hurrying do

arm and hurried me out into the darkness. The chill night air served to nerve instead of depress my spirits, as the garrulous Dicky unconsci

s could just be seen in the darkness outlined against the sky, Dicky suddenly stopped and drew me into a doorway. Our retainer disappe

een," croa

ave a vis

e," he croak

s?" whisp

s the street. Every one of th

y weren't

dodge, all inside of ten minutes, I has a right to my suspic

tle under his breath. "What do you think of that, Wilton? I had

d cautiously. "I dare say

im for that piece of business

e of the prospect. I wished I k

Just past the next corner was a lighted room, and the sound of voices broke the quiet. A triangular glass l

BORTON'S Meals

p the side of the room next the entrance, and a general air of disreputability filled the place. The only attempts at ornament, unless the arran

ar, were numbers of stout, rough-looking men, wit

d the unpleasant suggestions conveyed by her face and figure. But the most remarkable feature about her was her eyes. There was no trace of age in them. Bright and keen as the eyes of a rat, they gave me an unpleasant thrill as I felt her gaze fixed upon me when I

o-night," said Dicky thoug

rowd needs watching," I suggested with as muc

ted, bantering way. Yet I could see that he was perplexed and anxi

to business till all the

something to be done

e me a qu

t quite easy, "not unless there's something t

thinking, Dicky," I replied.

her laugh. "They don't say what kind, but I've got a pretty good stock here to choose from." He

enly, looking to the door. "I'd better sp

, turning in my chair

e apparently clumsy, but his figure was lithe and sinuous. And his eyes! Once seen they never could be forgotten. At their glance, beard and sou'wester dropped away before my fancy, and I saw in my inner vision the man of the serpen

ew-comer with apparent inquiry, a low hars

n, wrinkled arm passed over my shoulder

Borton, leering at me with no ap

but you're none the less in danger. What are you doing with his looks, and in this place? Look out for tha

no sign of suspicion, but the warning put me on the alert. I had come on the supposition that I was to meet the b

aid Dicky carelessl

qual unconcern. "We may need

repress a triumphant f

he said hoarsely, his face a

about the job?" I

ve been told,

tha

ob for silence

y with a laugh, as the o

," said

I continued, pr

ed as how there was to be a change of

s on the threshold of knowledge of this c

ut in a safer place," he said, wagg

brain to try him with an

t's all attended to. The

ement was extraordinary. T

, far different from the harsh tone he had used thus fa

ted impulsively, and smot

ng from their chairs. Glasses and bottles fell with

the man with suppressed fury, his voice on

distorted with rage. A feeling of horrible repulsion came over me, and I should have struck at that serpent's head but for

of shouts and oaths, mingled with the crash of tables and the clink of break

s and clamor; and there followed the flash of a pistol and

what I conceived to be the plan of the house, and thought I knew a way of escape. There were two doors at the rear of the

ting with all my might, had sent it crashing over with my enemy under it. With one leap I cleared the remaining table that l