his temples with it. While he was combing his blond hair, the door pushed open and Dallas wandered in.
He stood near Gillis and began to wash his hands. Their eyes met in the mirror and Dallas grinned.
‘That red-head I’m with is trying to take me to the cleaners,’ he said breezily. ‘I guess you wouldn’t know if I am wasting my time and money?’
Gillis switched on his charm. It was remarkable how his face changed when he smiled. He looked almost boyish; certainly not twenty-five, and the worn-out look of dissipation seemed to melt away.
‘You’re on to a good thing,’ he said. ‘Zoe rates a lit le high, but she doesn’t shirk her responsibilities.
If she asks you home, you go. Of her kind, she’s unique.’
Dallas, who had seen the by-play at the bar, took out his cigarette-case and offered it.
‘As good as that, is she? I’m obliged to you. This is my first visit here, and I didn’t want to get off on the wrong foot. I’m in town for a couple of weeks on business, and this seemed the place to come to.’
Gillis lit the cigarette and inhaled gratefully.
‘It is,’ he said. ‘If you want a little fun and an accommodating girl you couldn’t do bet er.’
They stood talking for a few minutes about the club, then Dallas said, ‘Wel , maybe I’l be seeing you again. My name’s Ed Dal as.’
‘Mine’s Adam Gil is. Sure, I’l look out for you, but don’t let me keep you away from Zoe. You have a treat in store. She certainly knows how to please a guy when she feels that way,’ Gil is said. ‘I’m here three or four times a week. Maybe we can have a drink together some time.’
‘Glad to,’ Dal as said, sure now this blond man was Eve Gil is’s brother. The likeness was remarkable. He had the same blue eyes, the same shaped face.
‘Before you go, I wonder if I could possibly ask a favour of you,’ Gil is said, smiling. ‘If you hadn’t been a member of the club I wouldn’t dream of mentioning this, but I’ve stupidly forgot en my wal et, and until my friends arrive I’m stuck for money. I suppose you couldn’t lend me ten dol ars for an hour or so?’
‘Why, sure,’ Dal as said, concealing his surprise. ‘I’d be glad to.’ He took out his wal et, extracted two fives and handed them to Gillis. ‘I’m in no hurry. Let me have it the next time we meet.’
Gillis slipped the bills into his pocket.
‘I can’t thank you enough. As soon as my friends arrive I’l pay you back. Thanks a lot. It’s real y very kind of you.’
‘Forget it,’ Dal as said, moving towards the door. ‘I’ve forgotten my wallet myself before now. It’s no joke to be stuck for money.’
They walked back to the bar.
‘Don’t let me take you away from Zoe,’ Gil is said as they entered the bar. ‘I’l buy myself a drink and wait for my friends.’
Dallas spotted Eve Gillis standing with Kile at the bar. She was wearing a sea-green backless evening gown, cut so low in front that he could see the deep furrow between her breasts.
He nudged Gillis.
‘Some girl,’ he said under his breath. ‘Some dress she’s nearly got on.’
Gillis looked at Eve, who glanced at him and then looked away. Neither of them gave any sign of recognition.
‘The club is noted for its beautiful women,’ Gil is said indifferently. ‘But you should remember, in the dark, one woman is very much the same as another.’ He gave Dal as’s arm a friendly pat and walked over to the bar, where he climbed up on a stool within a few feet of Eve and Kile.
Dallas returned to where Zoe was waiting for him, and sat down.
‘Sorry to have been so long,’ he said, smiling at Zoe, ‘but I got caught up with the blond profile. He has quite a way with him, hasn’t he?’
Zoe’s pert lit le face hardened.
‘That cheap chisel er?’ she said scornful y. ‘Al he’s got are his looks, and they won’t last him much longer from the way they’re wearing. Did he try to bite your ear?’
‘He did more than that; he succeeded to the tune of ten dol ars. At the moment he’s buying a double whisky with the proceeds. How do you like that?’
Zoe stared at him.
‘Wel , you don’t look a sucker,’ she said. ‘For heaven’s sake, why did you give it to him?’
‘Oh, I felt sorry for the guy. He was in a bad way for a drink, and I hadn’t the heart to refuse him,’
Dallas said, shrugging. ‘Besides, he said some nice things about you.’
‘Did he?’ Zoe said scornfully. ‘He once gypped me out of fifty bucks: the lit le rat!’
Dallas was eyeing Eve as she stood at the bar.
‘That’s a nice shape that girl’s wearing, or maybe you wouldn’t have noticed.’
Zoe looked Eve over critically.
‘She’s good,’ she said grudgingly. ‘At least she doesn’t have to wear falsies. In case you don’t know, she’s his sister, and it’s my bet they’re two of a kind. She was in the Fol ies for some time until she decided she could get along just as well in a bed.’
