with more interest.

"At least they're taking notice," said Baker, lighting his pipe. "And
every fellow raises _some_ kind of posies."

A few moments later they plunged into the vortex of the city and the
smiling country, the far plains toward the sea, and the circle of the
mountains were lost. Only remained overhead the blue of the California
sky.

Baker led the way toward a blaring basement restaurant.

"I'm beginning to feel that I'll have to find some monkey-food
somewhere, or cash in," said he.

They found a table and sat down.

"This is the place to see all the sights," proffered Baker, his broad
face radiating satisfaction. "When they strike it rich on the desert,
they hike right in here. That fat lady thug yonder is worth between
three and four millions. Eight months ago she did washing at two bits a
shirt while her husband drove a one-man prospect shaft. The other day
she blew into the big jewelry store and wanted a thirty-thousand-dollar
diamond necklace. The boss rolled over twice and wagged his tail. 'Yes,
madam,' said he; 'what kind?' 'I dunno; just a thirty-thousand-dollar
one.' That's all he could get out of her. 'But tell me how you want 'em
set,' he begged. She looked bewildered. _'Oh, set 'em so they'll
jingle,'_ says she."

After the meal they walked down the principal streets, watching the
crowd. It was a large crowd, as though at busy midday, and variously
apparelled, from fur coat to straw hat. Each extreme of costume seemed
justified, either by the balmy summer-night effect of the California
open air, or by the hint of chill that crept from the distant mountains.
Either aspect could be welcomed or ignored by a very slight effort of
the will. Electric signs blazed everywhere. Bob was struck by the
numbers of clairvoyants, palm readers, Hindu frauds, crazy cults, fake
healers, Chinese doctors, and the like thus lavishly advertised. The
class that elsewhere is pressed by necessity to the inexpensive
dinginess of back streets, here blossomed forth in truly tropical
luxuriance. Street vendors with all sorts of things, from mechanical
toys to spot eradicators, spread their portable lay-outs at every
corner. Vacant lots were crowded with spielers of all sorts--religious
or political fanatics, vendors of cure-alls, of universal tools, of
marvelous axle grease, of anything and everything to catch the idle
dollar. Brilliantly lighted shops called the passer-by to contemplate
the latest wavemotor, f