Part 30 (2/2)

Again a murmur.

”No, I am going. I will go myself. Ike wants me.” The boy's voice was loud and hard.

”That's mine,” the voice cried again. ”Let that go at once!”

There was a sound of scuffling and of falling chairs. With a kick Shock sent the door flying open, and saw three men struggling with Stanton.

Smiley had wound his long arms, about him from behind, the Inspector held his arm in a firm grip with one hand and with the other had hold of the stranger, who had The Kid by the throat. Macfarren was still at the table, evidently gathering up what lay upon it.

In an instant Shock sprang into the fray. With a single jerk he tore Smiley from his victim and flung him on the floor. Reaching for the stranger, who was choking The Kid, he caught his wrist and gave it a slight turn. With a yell of pain the stranger turned upon him and aimed a blow at Shock's face. Catching the blow on his arm, Shock seized his a.s.sailant by the shoulder, jerked him clear of his feet, and flung him far into the corner of the room. At this the policeman immediately gave back.

For a few seconds The Kid stood swaying unsteadily. Then, after he recovered his breath he turned to Shock and said, ”I hardly expected to ever feel grateful to you, but I a.s.sure you I appreciate your timely help.”

Then turning to the others, and regaining his wonted smile and easy manner, he continued,

”Gentlemen, you are somewhat insistent in your hospitality. It is always instructive, and sometimes pleasant, to extend our knowledge of our friends, and now let me say that a more blackguardly lot of thieves I have never met, and if this gentleman who has dropped in so opportunely will kindly stand at my back for a few minutes, I shall be delighted to make good my words by slapping your faces” The Kid's tone was low and gentle, even sweet.

”Mr. Macfarren, your venerable beard prevents me. Simmons, your general sliminess protects you, but as for you, Inspector Haynes, it gives me great pleasure to express my opinion of you--thus!”

His open hand flashed out as he spoke and caught Haynes on the cheek a stinging blow.

With an oath the Inspector jerked out his pistol and sprang at him. ”I arrest you, sir, in the name of the Queen. Move your hand and you are a dead man.”

”So be you, Mr. Inspector,” drawled a quiet voice in the door.

Shock turned, and to his unspeakable amazement saw his sick friend standing with his gun covering the Inspector.

”One step back, please, Mr. Inspector. Quick! This trigger goes mighty easy. Now, right wheel!”

The Inspector hesitated a second. ”Quick!” cried Ike sharply. ”Don't you fool too long obeyin' orders. I aint used to it. I'm here exercisin' a public function, preventin' murder, in short, and I'll drop you in your tracks if you don't move at the next word. You here me? And if you don't intend to move at the next word, say your prayers in this interval. Now then, back up to that table and put down that gun. Correct. Very nice, indeed.”

Ike's voice took on more and more of its customary drawl.

”Now, two steps forward. Right. Now, you can--go--to--the--devil!”

Ike stepped to the table, took up the pistol, and returned to his place at the door, saying:

”Say, boss, this prayer meetin's over. Let's go home.”

”Not until the Inspector says so,” said The Kid, who had recovered himself, and who was now quite sober. ”He has the word now, Ikey, so don't interfere.”

”All right, Kiddie, play your game. You're equivalent to it, I surmise.”

”I think so,” said the Kid sweetly. Then, turning to the Inspector, he continued in a voice of gentle consideration, ”There is something on your cheek, Inspector Haynes. You have not observed it. Allow me to point it out to you.”

He moved forward as he spoke, but Shock interposed.

”I think that is enough, Mr. Stanton,” he said.

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