CHAPTER XVIII

THROUGH THE FOG


The dense veil overhanging the city, while favorable to John Steele in
some respects, lessening for the time his own danger, made more
difficult the task to which he now set himself. He dared not too closely
approach the figure before him, lest he should be seen and his purpose
divined; once or twice Dandy Joe looked around, more, perhaps, from
habit than any suspicion that he was followed. Then the other,
slackening his steps, sometimes held back too far and through caution
imperiled his plan by nearly losing sight of Dandy Joe altogether. As
they went on with varying pace, the shuffling form ahead seemed to find
the way by instinct; crossed unhesitatingly many intersecting
thoroughfares; paused only on the verge of a great one.

Here, where opposing currents had met and become congested, utter
confusion reigned; from the masses of vehicles of all kinds,
constituting a seemingly inextricable blockade, arose the din of hoarse
voices. With the fellow's figure a vague swaying shadow before him, John
Steele, too, stopped; stared at the dim blotches of light; listened to
the anathemas, the angry snapping of whips. Would Dandy Joe plunge into
the mêlée; attempt to pass through that tangle of horses and men?
Apparently he found discretion the better part of valor and moving back
so quickly he almost touched John Steele, he walked down the
intersecting avenue.

Several blocks farther on, the turmoil seemed less marked, and here he
essayed to cross; by dint of dodging and darting between restless horses