ectable? Of course it's respectable. You don't ketch your Jakey in no
place that ain't. I've a family to think of. You ain't been there? Say!
There's where they all meet, in that Big Tent; all the best people, too,
you bet you. But I tell you, friend----"

He did not finish. An uproar sounded above the other street clamor: a
pistol shot, and another--a chorus of hoarse shouts and shrill frightened
cries, the scurrying rush of feet, all in the street; and in the hall of
the hotel, and the lobby below, the rush of still more feet, booted, and
the din of excited voices.

My man on the bed popped with the agility of a jack-in-the-box for the
window.

"A fight, a fight! Shootin' scrape!" In a single motion grabbing coat and
hat he was out through the door and pelting down the hall. Overcome by the
zest of the moment I pelted after, and with several others plunged as
madly upon the porch. We had left the lobby deserted.

The shots had ceased. Now a baying mob ramped through the street, with
jangle "Hang him! Hang him! String him up!" Borne on by a hysterical
company I saw, first a figure bloody-chested and inert flat in the dust,
with stooping figures trying to raise him; then, beyond, a man bareheaded,
whiskered, but as white as death, hustled to and fro from clutching hands
and suddenly forced in firm grips up the street, while the mob trailed
after, whooping, cursing, shrieking, flourishing guns and knives and
ropes. There were women as well as men in it.

All this turned me sick. From the outskirts of the throng I tramped back
to my room and the bath. The hotel was quiet as if emptied; my room was
vacant--and more than vacant, for of my clothing not a vestige remained!
My bag also was gone. Worse yet, prompted by an inner voice that stabbed
me like an icicle I was awakened to the knowledge that every cent I had
possessed was in those vanished garments.

For an instant I stood paralyzed, fronting the calamity. I could not
believe. It was as if the floor had swallowed my belongings. I had been
absent not more than five minutes. Surely this was the room. Yes, Number
Six; and the beds were familiar, their tumbled covers unaltered.

Now I held the bath-room responsible. The scoundrel in the bath had heard,
had taken advantage, made a foray and hidden. Out I ran, exploring. Every
room door was wide open, every apartment blank; but there was a splashing,
from the bath--I listened at the threshold, gently tried the knob--an