The lower floor was a bar-room, and two or three sinister-looking characters lounged about the room.

Mr.Norris ordered beer; then he leaned across to the barman and whispered a question.
"Why, yes," returned the barman, looking hard at Mr.Norris as though to read his errand, "Bill's been here.

But it's on the square; he ain't doin' nothin'.

I don't think he's seein' company neither." "This is on the level, Dan," said Mr.Norris, who appeared to be on terms of acquaintance with the barman.

"Let me make you known to Mr.
Brown," he continued, introducing Storri.