Part 43 (1/2)

With his purchase in his pocket, Spike strode out of the shop, whistling cheerily, but the merry notes ended very suddenly as he dodged back again, yet not quite quick enough, for a rough voice hailed him, hoa.r.s.e and jovial.

”Why, h.e.l.lo, Kid, how goes it?” M'Ginnis's heavy hand descended on his shrinking shoulder and next moment he was out on the sidewalk where Soapy lounged, a smouldering cigarette pendent from his thin, pallid lips as usual. And Soapy's eyes, so bright between their narrowed, puffy lids, so old-seeming in the youthful oval of his pale face, were like his cigarette, in that they smouldered also.

”Holy smoke!” exclaimed M'Ginnis, surveying Spike up and down in mock amazement, ”this ain't you, Kid--no, this sure ain't you. Looks all t'

th' company-promoter, don't he, Soapy?”

”'S' right, Kid, 's' right!” nodded the pallid youth, his smouldering eyes always turning toward M'Ginnis.

”Say, now, Bud, quit your kiddin'!” said Spike petulantly.

”But, Gee whiz!” exclaimed M'Ginnis, tightening his grasp, ”you sure are some cla.s.s, Kid, in that stiff collar an' sporty tie. How's the stock market? Are ye a bull or a bear?”

”Ah, cut it out, Bud!” cried the lad, writhing.

”Right-o, Kid, right-o!” said M'Ginnis, loosing his hold. ”You're comin'

over t' O'Rourke's t'night, of course?”

”Why, no, Bud--I can't.”

”Oh, t' h.e.l.l wid that--I got you all fixed up to go ten rounds wid Young Alf, th' East Side Wonder--”

”What?” exclaimed Spike, his eyes bright and eager, ”you got me a match wi' Young Alf? Say, Bud--you ain't stringing me, are ye?”

”Not much. I told you I'd get ye a real chance--”

”Why,” cried Spike, ”if I was t' lick Young Alf, I'd be in line t' meet th' top-notchers!”

”Sure--if you lick him!” nodded M'Ginnis grimly.

”Say,” said Spike, his face radiant, ”I've just been waitin' an'

waitin' for a chance like this--a chance t' show you an' th' bunch I can handle myself, an' now”--he stopped all at once, and shaking his head gloomily, turned away. ”I forgot, I--I can't, Bud.”

”Aw, what's bitin' ye?”

”I can't come t'night.”

”Won't come, ye mean!”

”Can't, Bud.”

”Why not?”

”I promised Hermy t' quit fightin'--”

”Is that all? Hermy don't have t' know nothin' about it. This is a swell chance for ye, Kid, the best you'll ever get, so just skin over t'night an' don't say nothin' t' n.o.body.”

”I--can't, Bud--that's sure.”

”Goin' t' give me d' throw-down, are ye?”