The senator, ever watchful, believed he saw a chance to sweep McQuade off the board.
McQuade had an able lieutenant in Alderman Martin, whom the sporting fraternity followed loyally.

Martin owned and ran the most disreputable hotel in the city.

It occupied a position of unusual prominence on one of the principal business streets.

There was a saloon and a cheap restaurant on the ground floor.

On the second floor were wine-rooms and a notorious gambling-den.