"Been there before?"
"Never."
The man made a sound that was between a sigh and a groan. Then, almost sternly and in a confidential tone, as if suddenly impressed by the peril of an immortal soul, he said:
"Young man, beware! I say to you, beware!"
Each stiff gray hair on his chin seemed to erect itself into an animated exclamation point. Turning again, he whispered:
"You will soon shake its dust from your feet."
"Why?"
"A sinking place! Every one bankrupt or nearly so. Display! Nothing but display! Feasting, drinking! No thought of to-morrow! Ungodly city!"
In concluding his indictment, Mr. Pinhorn partly covered his mouth and whispered the one word:
"Babylon!"