BLACK PETE’S PLACE was a notorious hangout for denizens of the underworld. Ostensibly a night club, it was in reality the spot where sinister plots were hatched and blood money was paid. Enough coin to equal an emperor’s ransom passed from hand to hand every month in the back room at Black Pete’s.
The place was tolerated by the police for various reasons. First, “Black Pete” paid tribute to the politicians. That in itself was ample excuse for the existence of his dive.
But he played the game safe in addition. No “wanted” men were allowed within Black Pete’s portals.
Only those gangsters who were temporarily free from surveillance were permitted to enter.
Strangers were allowed in the place, but they were carefully watched. Black Pete and his associates had keen eyes when it came to detecting plain-clothes men or Federal agents.
Gangdom, in turn, respected Black Pete’s laws. No killings were ever perpetrated in his domain. Guns might be carried in, but they were never unholstered.
The premises consisted chiefly of a cabaret. It was located on the second floor of the building. There was apparently but one entrance to the second floor, and that led directly to the cabaret. However, it was said that there were other means of entry, known to Black Pete’s chosen friends.
The most interesting portion of the place was the labyrinth of passages that ran back from the cabaret floor. The main room had two side doors. These led to darkened corridors that divided and turned in all directions. Along these passages were rooms where gangsters met. Perhaps their purpose was to drink bootleg liquor in privacy; more likely their intention was to scheme new killings and to make cash settlement for old ones.
However, when any one walked through a door to the passages, no one could tell either his destination or his intention. The room to which he was bound was known only to himself and to Black Pete, from whom he obtained a key. Black Pete treated all customers alike; and whatever he knew of their business he kept to himself.
It was several days since the murder of Philip Farmington. The affair had created much excitement in the bad lands as well as in the social world. For killing was the province of gangsters and criminals. The name of Double Z was already tangled with previous murders.