292 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
eyes steadily fixed on the Shadow, which was always 
before him, now turning down a side street, now doubling 
on itself, ever growing more and more distinct, and draw- 
ing its two followers further and further into the lowest 
quarter of the city. The stars were out now, and 
seemed to flicker in the fierce wind like the gas lights 
upon the street corners. Mr. Broadstreet felt curiously 
warm without his ulster, and as light-hearted as a 
boy. 
As they passed through the most brilliantly lighted 
streets, however, he saw much that filled him for the 
moment with sadness. For the Shadow now grew enor- 
mously large, and rested upon many places. It brooded 
darkly over the brilliant saloons that lined the way, and 
that clothed themselves in the very garments of Christ- 
mas to attract the innocent and foolish, so that, drawn 
by the sheen of holly and evergreen, and the show of 
festivities and good cheer, they might enter and find their 
own destruction. Oftentimes, too, the Shadow flitted 
along the street in company with some man or woman 
who to all outward appearance was calm and content 
with life ; perhaps even happy, one would have said. Jn 
the black folds of the Shadow, brutal-faced rufiians hid 
their bleared eyes ; houses were draped as in some time of 
national mourning ; once the slight, pretty figure of a 
young girl came up, wearing the Shadow flauntingly about 
her neck, like a scarf ; she stopped, and seemed about to 
address Mr. Broadstreet with bold words. 
