“Well, say, you can scratch me on the joyful business.  I’m th’ guy as only takes chances he’s paid t’ take.”

“How much are you getting on this job, Spider?”

“Oh—­well—­I mean—­say, what’s th’ time, bo?”

“Five minutes after eight—­why?”

“I guess d’ Kid’s in th’ ring, then.  There’s a full card t’night, an’ he’s scheduled for eight sharp, so I reckon he’s fightin’ now—­an’ good luck to him!” By this time they had reached that dark and quiet neighbourhood where stood O’Rourke’s saloon.  But to-night the big annex glared with light, and the air about it was full of a dull, hoarse, insistent clamour that swelled all at once to a chorus of discordant shrieks and frenzied cries.

“Ah!” quoth the Spider sagely, “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?”