Alleys of Darkness (synopsis)

Introduction

In the synopsis of “Alleys of Darkness,” Steve Costigan fights Kid Leary in the Sweet Dreams Fight Club in Singapore. Costigan, heavily favored and backed financially by the Sea Girl’s crew, loses in a decision to Leary due to the corrupt referee, Jed Whithers. The crowd is incensed, but Whithers manages to escape. Costigan learns from the Sea Girl’s captain that he had wagered a significant sum on the fight, risking losing the ship over a debt.

In the dressing room, Costigan and his bulldog Mike discover Whithers hiding. Whithers confesses he was blackmailed into fixing the fight by Ace Bissett, a shady character who holds a compromising document against Whithers’ sister. Determined to correct the injustice, Costigan decides to confront Bissett at his establishment, the Diamond Palace. After abducting Bissett, Costigan brings him to a waterfront warehouse where several toughs, led by Diamond Joe Galt, wait to recover the incriminating document.

The situation escalates when Glory O’Dale, Bissett’s girlfriend, intervenes with a gun, leading to a confrontation where she reveals Galt’s role in the fight’s outcome. In the chaos, Mike and Costigan manage to overpower Galt and his gang. It is revealed that the document in question is actually a worthless formula, and Galt had paid Whithers to throw the fight. Costigan recovers the money to save the Sea Girl and vows to arrange a rematch with Leary under fair conditions.

See “Alleys of Darkness” for more detailed information.

Characters

  • Steve Costigan – The main protagonist, a sailor and boxer.
  • Kid Leary – Costigan’s opponent in the boxing match.
  • Jed Whithers – The referee who was blackmailed into fixing the fight.
  • Captain of the Sea Girl – Bet heavily on Costigan, risking the ship.
  • Mike – Costigan’s loyal bulldog.
  • Ace Bissett – A shady adventurer who blackmailed Whithers.
  • Glory O’Dale – Bissett’s girlfriend who becomes involved in the skirmish.
  • Diamond Joe Galt – A promoter and gambler involved in the fight fixing.
  • Sea Girl – The ship associated with Costigan and his crew.

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