The uncertain, timorous actions of the strangers in Thieves' Alley
brought a fantastic smile to the lips of the smoker. He watched them
as they looked up at the boot and compared notes in rather subdued
tones.
"This must be the place," said one of the men. There was no mistaking
the note of disgust in his voice.
"Looking for some one, gents?" demanded the smoker, without rising
from the stool on which he sat leaning against the wall.
"Is this No. 24--Hello! It's Dick!"
"Ain't you afraid to be seen down here, Joey?" asked the man on the
stool, chuckling.
"It's worth an honest man's life to be seen 'ere," said Joey Noakes,
in hushed tones. "God 'elp 'im as can't 'elp 'isself if he ever
strolls in 'ere unawares."
"It's rather late in the night for any one to be about," said Dick
Cronk. "Still, I've been expecting you, gents. That's why I'm sitting
out here, takin' things easy--and makin' things easy for you. If you
don't mind I'll keep my seat, David. It ain't wise to be seen
hobnobbin' with swell gents at this time o' night--in Hell's Kitchen
particularly. I know what you're here for.
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