noon
As he came near that smothered glow-worm of a street-lamp it assumed for him the betraying glare of a huge spot-light . But it had to be passed to gain the skiff ; and with collar turned up and hat-brim pulled down and head hunched low , he entered the dim sphere of betrayal , walked under its penny 's - worth of flame , and glided toward the shadows beyond , his eyes straining with the preternatural keenness of the hunted at every stoop and doorway before him . He was just passing out of the sphere of mist-light -- the lamp being now at his back helped him -- when he saw three vague figures lurking half a dozen paces ahead of him . His brain registered these vague figures with the instantaneity of a snapshot camera at full noon . They were mere shadows ; but the farther of the three seemed to be Barney Palmer -- he was not sure ; but of the identity of the other two there was no doubt : `` Little Mick '' and `` Lefty Ed , '' both members high in the councils of the Ginger Bucks , and either of whose services as a killer could be purchased for a hundred dollars or a paper of cocaine , depending upon which at the moment there was felt the greater need . In the very instant that he saw , Larry doubled about and ran at full speed back up the street . Two shots rang out ; Larry could not tell whether they were fired by Little Mick or Lefty Ed or Barney Palmer -- that is , if the third man really were Barney .