"Reed Parker?"
Without looking up, the bartender said, "Never heard of him."
Sifa shrugged. "Jerry Collins sent me."
Only at the name "Jerry Collins" did the bartender stop what he was doing. He looked up and lowered his voice. "Wait here. Don't go anywhere."
He put down the glass and hurried away.
Only then did Sifa survey his surroundings.
He saw a large iron cage standing in the center of the bar. A ring of wire mesh surrounded it, making it impossible to squeeze out.
Two men were fighting inside the cage, trading punches and kicks until they were covered in blood.
A ring of patrons stood nearby with wooden mugs in hand, talking loudly and occasionally erupting into curses and cheers.
Seeing Sifa watching the cage, a boy in a brown flat cap approached him. He looked no older than fifteen or sixteen.
"Would you like to place a bet, sir?"
"I think Thompson will win again. He's already won seven matches in a row!"
Sifa smiled, casually pulled out two soli, and tossed them to the boy. "Put it on the other man for me."
The boy froze for a moment, but nodded, took the money, and jogged over to a table beside the iron cage.
Pointing at Sifa and gesturing, he placed the bet for him.
The boy then received two copper pennies as his reward.
The bartender returned just then and gestured. "Follow me."
Sifa lowered the brim of his hat and discreetly followed the bartender around the cage where the life-and-death fight was taking place, arriving outside a card room.
The bartender knocked three times quickly, then twice slowly, and the door opened.
A burly man poked his head out to look around. After glancing at Sifa, he drew his head back in and opened