J. Allan Dunn

“ Once, Sperry felt certain, they passed underneath a street, slanting deep down an earthy tunnel propped by beams, traversing a level section where the smell of sewerage was abominable, then up and through another cellar to brick stairs, at the head of which a stout door showed a peephole of light in response to certain knockings of Baldy, checked by other knocks within.
On the other side squatted a man without legs, the type of cripple that infests the streets and captures from sympathetic workers more in a day than they could hard-earn in ten. ”

“ Sperry glimpsed a cemented furnace room through the opening door by which Blackberry disappeared.
“Let me do the talking,” said Baldy, and Sperry was content.
The place was furnished with a pallet bed covered with greasy blankets, a table, and three broken-down chairs. Soon they heard footsteps returning. Blackberry came back again with a black-mustached, stout, prosperous-looking man. The latter went to the point.
“Who’s the new guy, Baldy?” he asked; “and what’s this kick about the chief?”
“The last can wait," said Baldy. “You know my kick, and I ain’t the only one kicking. ”

“ The newcomer spread out deprecating hands.
“Chief’s orders, Baldy,” he said. “Any new guy’s got to be passed on reg’lar.”
“I’m gettin’ tired of this ‘Chief’ stuff,” said Baldy. “If we’re good enough to pull stuff for a man, we’re good enough to see him. This game is too much under cover to suit me. My dope was straight enough to suit the gang, wasn’t it? Then, when I bring in a pal that I vouch for, the very man we’re needing, I’m not goin’ to have him held up when it’s touch and go whether we can hold him at all. What you got to say about it, Duke?” He turned to Sperry. ”