pause for reflection he, too, went up the steps, and reproduced
as far as he was able the peculiar knock.

The door swung open with the same promptness as before. A
villainous-faced man with close-cropped hair stood in the
doorway.

"Well?" he grunted.

It was at that moment that the full realization of his folly
began to come home to Tommy. But he dared not hesitate. He
seized at the first words that came into his mind.

"Mr. Brown?" he said.

To his surprise the man stood aside.

"Upstairs," he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, "second
door on your left."



CHAPTER VIII

THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY


TAKEN aback though he was by the man's words, Tommy did not
hesitate. If audacity had successfully carried him so far, it was
to be hoped it would carry him yet farther. He quietly passed