Prev | Current Page 171 | Next

Adams, Samuel Hopkins, 1871-1958

"The Unspeakable Perk"

I am going to find out who the woman is at your
place."
"How do you propose to do it?"
"By coming to see."
"You'll be welcome," said the other grimly. "By the way, here's a
map." He made a quick sketch on the back of an envelope. "I'll be
there at work most of to-morrow. Au revoir." He rose and started
down the hill. "Better keep to yourself this evening," he warned.
"Take a dilute carbolic bath. You'll be all right, I think."
Slowly and thoughtfully the Southerner made his way back to the
hotel. After dining in his own room, he found time heavy on his
hands; so, dispatching a note of excuse to Miss Brewster on the
plea of personal business, he slipped out into the city. Wandering
idly toward the hills, he presently found himself in a familiar
street, and, impelled by human curiosity, proceeded to turn up the
hill and stop opposite the blank door.
Here he was puzzled. To go in and inquire, even if he cared to and
could make himself understood, would perhaps involve further risk
of infection. While he was considering, the door slowly opened,
and the leather-skinned crone appeared.


Pages:
159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183