CHAPTER NINE .sx The pale April sunshine filtered into the back court of a Glasgow slum , throwing its soft radiance on grimy windows , blistering the already ravaged paintwork and casting long shadows across the broken masonry of the dirty evil-smelling hovels .sx This was Utah Street , and Utah Street was a cancerous growth in the flesh of a great city .sx The sunlight struggled over a thick layer of dirt on a window at ground level and lightened the interior of a room that was no better and no worse than the majority of its neighbours .sx An old-fashioned range , yellowed by rust , housed the dying embers of a fire that made the airless kitchen a veritable oven of unpleasant odours .sx At the table , littered with a motley collection of articles , ranging from empty beer bottles to discarded articles of clothing , sat the man known only by the appellation of Gaffer .sx Among this wreckage of human society , Gaffer was probably the most defeated of all the wretched inhabitants who called Utah Street " home" .sx Gaffer was an alien in their midst , but the ways of a bully soon make their mark and he swiftly earned a reputation for himself as a man who could defend his chosen way of life .sx In five short years he was not only accepted but had become a leading light in a rapidly dying empire of squalor and decay .sx Gaffer bent his head over the newspaper bearing the day's racing forecast , oblivious of the sun , the advent of spring and the murmur of voices from the pontoon school in the corner of the yard .sx His forefinger travelled slowly down the list of probable starters for the three-thirty at Newmarket .sx Thoughtfully he tapped his teeth with a pencil as he deliberated over the rival merits of the two horses of his choice .sx Nothing in it as regards the starting prices .sx It was simply a matter of choosing the right horse .sx He smiled to himself as he fingered the five one-pound notes lying before him on the table .sx A couple of good winners today and he could live it up for a week or so .sx Might even go away for a couple of days .sx Reaching for the Form Book he thumbed through its battered pages in search of the information he required .sx When he had made his choice he rose and strode to the door .sx He crossed the narrow close and planted a savage foot on the panel of the opposite door .sx A small shrivelled creature craned a startled head round the jamb , the cadaverous features creased into a nervous smirk .sx " A'right , Gaffer .sx I'm coming .sx " He jerked on his threadbare jacket and shuffled after the other back to the stuffy humidity of the kitchen .sx " You wantin' somethin' , Gaffer ?sx " " You don't think I enjoy your scintillating company , do you ?sx " Gaffer scribbled on a slip of paper and tucked the banknotes into its fold .sx " Nip round to Sammy and give him this .sx Wait until the race is over .sx " A slow grin revealed his perfect teeth .sx " I'm expecting thirty quid back .sx " " You floppin' five quid on one horse ?sx " " What's that got to do with you ?sx " " Nothin' , Gaffer , nothin' .sx I just thought it's a bit risky , that's a' .sx " " And who asked you to do the thinking around here ?sx " Gaffer's lip curled in disgust .sx " Go on , beat it , and if you get nicked , I'll paper the walls with you .sx " Glad to make his escape Lofty scuttled off down the close , grateful that the other was in such a mellow mood .sx Less than forty minutes later he returned bearing in a shaking hand thirty one-pound notes .sx Goggle-eyed , he watched Gaffer count his winnings .sx He separated three from the pile and contemptuously threw them on the floor .sx " Go on , buy yourself a Rolls-Royce , " he sneered .sx A jerk of his head signalled dismissal .sx " Don't go away .sx I might want you later on .sx " " Sure , Gaffer .sx I'll be next door .sx " Gaffer returned to his study of his newspaper .sx This was his day .sx He could feel it .sx Swiftly he scanned the sheet for the greyhound runners .sx Yes , he was sure Dosser had said he was running The Slob tonight .sx Tentatively , he fingered his winnings .sx Should he risk it all in one fell swoop ?sx Yes , he decided at last , why not , it was time he had a run of luck in any case .sx He rose and moved to the broken triangle of mirror hanging above the sink .sx He studied his image with petulant concentration .sx Always a victim of his over-developed imagination he thought himself a luckless individual for whom nothing ever went right .sx He possessed a persecution complex that frequently reduced him to a maudlin hulk of self-pity whenever opposition reared its ugly head , but Gaffer , the supreme egotist , saw none of this as he examined the face looking back at him through that distorted glass .sx Spruced up and clean-shaven , he wasn't a bad-looking man , he decided .sx His jawline was firm and there was no surplus flesh gathering on his tall frame .sx The mouth curled sardonically as he smoothed back his thick dark hair revealing again a glimpse of his teeth , strong and white as blanched almonds .sx He drew in a deep breath and was on the point of turning back to his newspaper when his eye fell on an out-of-date magazine lying on the floor .sx A photograph taken at a recent film premie@3re held his attention .sx Slowly he stooped to lift the magazine and an idea began to ferment in his quick brain .sx An idea so daring and yet so audaciously tempting that a shiver of excitement quivered through him .sx He studied the photograph for a long time before throwing aside the book and returning to his study of the racing column , but this time his concentration was fired by the flame of incentive .sx A sharp rap on the door brought a frown of impatience to his face and with a low growl he gave permission to enter .sx The panel swung open to admit a narrow-shouldered man in a black sue@3de zipper jerkin and tight Italian trousers .sx " 'Lo Gaffer .sx Heard you'd a bit of luck on the three-thirty .sx Want a certainty for the dogs tonight ?sx " " Such as ?sx " sneered Gaffer .sx " Hurly Burly .sx That dog's jet propelled .sx " Cuddy Gallagher winked .sx " Over'n above that , I happen to know he's been got at by the boys .sx " Gaffer's eyes narrowed .sx " That a sure thing ?sx " " Sure as death .sx " Cuddy's sleek head jerked in the direction of the table .sx " Want me to lay some of that lot on for you ?sx " Gaffer lifted the money and slipped two notes into his pocket .sx " There's twenty-five quid there .sx Lose it and I'll kill you .sx I'll be at Joe's place tonight but don't let anyone see you flash my money around .sx " Cuddy peeled off five notes before stowing the remainder away .sx " Commission , " he laconically explained .sx " Well , I'm away .sx See you later .sx " " Tell The Wop I want to see him .sx " " I havenae time to look for that wee greaser , " Cuddy objected .sx " If you want this lot on in time it'll need to be done right away .sx Sent Lofty to do your dirty work .sx " " Look , " a dangerous glint appeared in Gaffer's bright eyes , " I'll decide who does what .sx You get that money on first then look for The Wop .sx Tonight I'm going to clean up so you'd better warn Sammy to keep plenty of the ready by him .sx I want a hundred nicker off him before I'm finished .sx " Cuddy emitted a low soundless whistle .sx " That's a lot of change .sx " " Yes , but I'll get it .sx " " You'll be lucky .sx " " You bet I am .sx I'm on the right streak tonight , I can feel it .sx " Cuddy saw the look of fanaticism on the other's face .sx He did not recognize it as such , but it was sufficient to tell him that this was not the moment to argue .sx " O.K. , so you're lucky , " he swiftly placated .sx " Have it your own way .sx " Gaffer lifted the half-empty whisky bottle from the sink-board and sloshed a liberal quantity into a tumbler .sx " Here's to your information being correct , Cuddy , because if it isn't .sx . " His arm flashed out and grabbed hold of a handful of sue@3de jacket , " you'd better not show your face back here , unless you want me to work on it with a razor .sx " Hate rose in Cuddy like mercury in a thermometer but fear stifled his reply as the grip on his throat tightened .sx " Listen , Gaffer , " he whispered in desperation , " even if that dog wins , you'll no' get a hundred quid back .sx " He swallowed with difficulty .sx " It's only runnin' at even money .sx " " When you get the winnings , put it on The Slob in the eight-fifteen .sx " " What , all of it ?sx " " All of it .sx " Gaffer threw him away and wiped his hand on the seat of his trousers .sx " If Sammy runs out of cash lay the second bet with Kruger .sx Now get out of my sight before I.. " He grinned as he realized he was talking to himself .sx He was well aware of the fact that he was taking a chance in giving Cuddy a free hand with so much at stake , but he was fairly confident of his hold over the craven-hearted little tout .sx Some thirty minutes later he was still avidly studying the photograph that seemed to fascinate him , when Louie Morri sidled into the room .sx It did not take Gaffer long to explain what he wanted the Italian to do .sx " Well , " he concluded , " what about it ?sx Can you do it ?sx " Louis looked worried .sx " Sure , I think so , Gaffer , but it'sa no' easy .sx " His big dark eyes swivelled upwards uneasily .sx " It'sa goin' to costa lota money , Gaffer .sx I needa special stuffa from up-town an' it'sa no' easy to geta .sx " His podgy hands turned palm upwards .sx " You see how it is .sx It'sa no' easy .sx " " If you say that once more , I'll ram your teeth down your throat .sx " Gaffer leaned menacingly nearer .sx " Now listen , Wop , and listen well .sx You're going to do this job for me without any more argument .sx If you do it right , you'll get paid right .sx If not , then I'm afraid I'll have to get rough .sx " His breath fanned the little man's face .sx " You wouldn't like that , Louie .sx Maria wouldn't like it either , so you'd better find out a nice easy way of doing it or you're liable to be up to your fat neck in trouble , Louie boy .sx " Stark fear turned the Italian's skin yellow .sx " I do it .sx I do it .sx No' to worry , Gaffer , I do it .sx " " That's better .sx I don't like when people argue , Louie .sx You ought to know that by this time .sx " He swung round on the ball of his foot as the other winced and moved out of range .sx He smiled .sx " It's all right , Louie , I'm not going to hurt you .sx . yet .sx I don't think I have to tell you to keep your mouth shut , do I ?sx One cheep out of you and Maria will be putting down an instalment on a nice marble headstone .sx You understand , Louie .sx " Louie's head rocked back and forward like a hinged flap .sx " It'sa a'right , Gaffer .sx I no' open my moutha .sx " " I wouldn't , Louie , not if I were you , " Gaffer advised .sx " Just you keep thinking that way and everything will be all right .sx " He escorted his nervous visitor to the door .sx " You go back to the shop and I'll send Cuddy down when he comes in .sx You can make out a list of the stuff you need and I'll get it for you .sx How long would it take ?sx " Louie thought carefully .sx " No' very longa .sx A couple of weeks I think .sx " " O.K. See you later .sx " His finger poked belligerently in the other's face .sx " Now , remember , keep your mouth shut about this , or .sx . " He made an expressive gesture with his forefinger .sx " I keep my moutha shut , " Louie promised fervently .sx CHAPTER TEN .sx MARK'S feet made no sound on the smooth turf as he walked slowly towards the chestnut tree .sx Christiane was sitting with her back to him , her fair head bent over a book .sx He stood motionless for a moment , watching her , his look gravely compassionate as he noted the rug draped over her legs .sx