"They"re b.u.ms, colonel, that"s what they are!"
"How do they live?"
"Don"t know. They"re in here about every day."
"If it"s drink that"s brought them where they are, I"m half inclined to give it up; but, after all, it isn"t necessary to make a beast of yourself. I always drink like a gentleman, sir."
"So you do, colonel."
At that moment a poor woman, in a faded calico dress with a thin shawl over her shoulders, descended the steps that led into the saloon, and walked up to the bar.
"Has my husband been here to-night?" she asked.
Tim Bolton frowned.
"Who"s your husband?" he asked, roughly.
"Wilson."
"No, Bill Wilson hasn"t been here to-night. Even if he had you have no business to come after him. I don"t want any sniveling women here."
"I couldn"t help it, Mr. Bolton," said the woman, putting her ap.r.o.n to her eyes. "If Bill comes in, won"t you tell him to come home? The baby"s dead, and we haven"t a cent in the house!"
Even Tim was moved by this.
"I"ll tell him," he said. "Take a drink yourself; you don"t look strong. It shan"t cost you a cent."
"No," said the woman, "not a drop! It has ruined my happiness, and broken up our home! Not a drop!"
"Here, my good lady," said the colonel, with chivalrous deference, "you have no money. Take this," and he handed the astonished woman a five-dollar bill.
"Heaven bless you, sir!" she exclaimed, fervently.
"Allow me to see you to the street," and the gallant Southern gentleman escorted her up to the sidewalk.
"I"d like to horsewhip that woman"s husband. Don"t you sell him another drop!" he said, when he returned.
Chapter XIV.
The Missing Will.
An hour after the depart of the colonel there was an unexpected arrival.
A well-dressed gentleman descended the stairs gingerly, looked about him with fastidious disdain, and walked up to the bar.
Tim Bolton was filling an order, and did not immediately observe him.
When at length he turned around he exclaimed, in some surprise:
"Mr. Waring!"
"Yes, Bolton, I have found my way here."
"I have been expecting you."
"I came to you for some information."
"Well, ask your questions: I don"t know whether I can answer them."
"First, where is my Cousin Florence?"
"How should I know? She wasn"t likely to place herself under my protection."
"She"s with that boy of yours--Dodger, I believe you call him. Where is he?"
"Run away," answered Bolton, briefly.
"Do you mean that you don"t know where he is?"
"Yes, I do mean that. I haven"t set my eyes on him since that night."
"What do you mean by such negligence? Do you remember who he is?"
"Certainly I do."
"Then why do you let him get of your reach?"
"How could I help it? Here I am tied down to this bar day and night!
I"m nearly dead for want of sleep."
"It would be better to close up your place for a week and look after him."
"Couldn"t do it. I should lose all my trade. People would say I was closed up."
"And have you done nothing toward his recovery?"
"Yes, I have sent out two men in search of him."
"Have you any idea where he is, or what he is doing?"
"Yes, he has been seen in front of the Astor House, selling papers. I have authorized my agent, if he sees him again, to follow him home, and find out where he lives."
"That is good! Astor House? I may see him myself."
"But why do you want to see him? Do you want to restore him to his rights?"