had only seen her once or twice afterward, for Juozas had thrown her over for another girl, and Alena had gone away from Packingtown, no one knew where. And now he met her here!
She was as much surprised as he was. 'Jurgis Rudkus!' she gasped. 'And what in the world is the matter with you?'
'I—I've had hard luck,' he stammered. 'I'm out of work, and I've no home and no money. And you, Alena—are you married?'
'No,' she answered, 'I'm not married, but I've got a good place.'
They stood staring at each other for a few moments longer. Finally Alena spoke again. 'Jurgis,' she said, 'I'd help you if I could, upon my word I would, but it happens that I've come out without my purse, and I honestly haven't a penny with me: I can do something better for you, though—I can tell you how to get help. I can tell you where Marija is.'
Jurgis gave a start. 'Marija!' he exclaimed.
'Yes,' said Alena; 'and she'll help you. She's got a place, and she's doing well; she'll be glad to see you.'
It was not much more than a year since Jurgis had left Packingtown, feeling like one escaped from jail; and it had been from Marija and Elzbieta that he was escaping. But now, at the mere mention of them, his whole being cried out with joy. He wanted to see them; he wanted to go home! They would help him—they would be kind to him. In a flash he had thought over the situation. He had a good excuse for running away—his grief at the death of his son; and also he had a good excuse for not returning—the fact that they had left Packingtown. 'All right,' he said, 'I'll go.'
So she gave him a number on Clark Street, adding, 'There's no need to give you my address, because Marija knows it.' And Jurgis set out, without further ado. He found a large brownstone house of aristocratic appearance, and rang the basement bell. A young colored girl came to the door, opening it about an inch, and gazing at him suspiciously.
'What do you want?' she demanded.
'Does Marija Berczynskas live here?' he inquired.
'I dunno,' said the girl. 'What you want wid her?'
'I want to see her,' said he; 'she's a relative of mine.'
The girl hesitated a moment. Then she opened the door and said, 'Come in.' Jurgis came and stood in the hall, and she continued: 'I'll go see. What's yo' name?'
'Tell her it's Jurgis,' he answered, and the girl went upstairs. She came back at the end of a minute or two, and replied, 'Dey ain't no sich person here.'
Jurgis's heart went down into his boots. 'I was told this was where she lived!' he cried. But the girl only shook her head. 'De lady says dey ain't no sich person here,' she said.
And he stood for a moment, hesitating, helpless with dismay. Then he turned to go to the door. At the same instant, however, there came a knock upon it, and the girl went to open it. Jurgis heard the shuffling of feet, and then heard her give a cry; and the next moment she sprang back, and past him, her eyes shining white with terror, and bounded up the stairway, screaming at the top of her lungs: 'Police! Police! We're pinched!'
Jurgis stood for a second, bewildered. Then, seeing blue-coated forms rushing upon him, he sprang after the Negress. Her cries had been the signal for a wild uproar above; the house was full of people, and as he entered the hallway he saw them rushing hither and thither, crying and screaming with alarm. There were men and women, the latter clad for the most part in wrappers, the former in all stages of dishabille. At one side Jurgis caught a glimpse of a big apartment with plush-covered chairs, and tables covered with trays and glasses. There were playing cards scattered all over the floor—one of the tables had been upset, and bottles of wine were rolling about, their contents running out upon the carpet. There was a young girl who had fainted, and two men who were supporting her; and there were a dozen others crowding toward the front door.
Suddenly, however, there came a series of resounding blows upon it, causing the crowd to give back. At the same instant a stout woman, with painted cheeks and diamonds in her ears, came running down the stairs, panting breathlessly: 'To the rear! Quick!'
She led the way to a back staircase, Jurgis following; in the kitchen she pressed a spring, and a cupboard gave way and opened, disclosing a dark passageway. 'Go in!' she cried to the crowd, which now amounted to twenty or thirty, and they began to pass through. Scarcely had the last one disappeared, however, before there were cries from in front, and then the panic-stricken throng poured out again, exclaiming: 'They're there too! We're trapped!'
