From beyond the archway issued
the buzz of voices and the clink of glasses; peering through the
opening Sanderson could see that the barroom was crowded.
Sanderson mounted the stairs leading from the office. When he had left
Owen, the latter had told Sanderson that it was his intention to spend
the time until the return of his friend in reading.
Owen, however, was not in the room. Sanderson descended the stairs,
walked to the archway that led into the saloon, and looked inside. In
a rear corner of the barroom he saw Owen, seated at a table with
several other men. Owen's face was flushed; he was talking loudly and
extravagantly.
Sanderson remembered what Owen had told him concerning his appetite for
strong liquor, he remembered, too, that Owen was in possession of a
secret which, if divulged, would deliver Mary Bransford into the hands
of her enemies.
Sanderson's blood rioted with rage and disgust. He crossed the barroom
and stood behind Owen. The latter did not see him. One of the men
with Owen did see Sanderson, though, and he looked up impudently, and
smilingly pushed a filled glass of amber-colored liquor toward Owen.
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