Page:Keeban (IA keeban00balm).pdf/67

 too. Among those who carry the underworld within their breasts, I'm Keeban; and therefore needing, more or less immediately," his tone trailed off practically, "as much of ten thousand dollars as you've got in that peter behind you and which you feel inclined to give. It'll go to good use, Steve; great use! No sense trying to tell you now. Take Christina, for an example. You saw her last night."

"Of course."

"Recognize her?"

"No," I said, but I wondered; and at his hint, something stirred in my memory.

"Think red hair, not yellow."

I couldn't, to any use; yet now I was sure I had seen her. More than that, I'd known her, and I groped for her name and her right association, in my memory.

"Who is she, Jerry?"

He shook his head. "Not now."

"Where'd I meet her before?"

He smiled again. "In the underworld, one time you went there."

"You mean that time you and I went down South State Street to"

"There you go, thinking up a place again, whereas, old Top, the place was most proper;