Here and there a tent flapped in the wind, which drove the drizzle into his face; somewhere ahead a swinging sign moaned as if in agony.

A few wanderers ploughed through the muck, dim uncertain shapes appearing and vanishing in the gloom.

He had gone a block and over, the struggle against the elements leaving him forgetful of all else, when a man reeled out of some dimly lit shack to his right, and staggered drunkenly forward a few feet in advance.

He could barely distinguish the fellow's outlines, giving little thought to the occurrence, for the way was unusually black along there, the saloon opposite having shades drawn.

Suddenly a flash of red fire spurted into the night, with a sharp report.