Part 31 (1/2)

”Let the matter drop now.”

The boy turned quickly, and looking steadily into Shock's face, began in a quiet, even voice, ”Mr.--ah--”

”Macgregor,” supplied Shock.

”Mr. Macgregor, you are a stranger. In this country in a matter of this kind we never allow interference.”

”And yet,” said Shock in a voice equally quiet, ”interference is not unwelcome at times.”

”What you say is quite true,” replied the boy, ”and, as I have said, I am not ungrateful for your timely a.s.sistance.”

”Oh, I was thinking of Ike,” said Shock hurriedly.

”But surely you will let this matter drop now.”

”Drop!” roared the Inspector. ”Blank your impudence! He has called me a thief, and he has slapped my face while doing my duty. I will have the lot of you arrested for interference with justice. And as for you, Stanton, we shall settle this again.”

So saying, the Inspector made for the door. At the door Ike still stood on guard.

”When you want me, Mr. Inspector,” he said, ”don't have any delinquency in sendin' for me. I surmise I can contribute some valuable evidence on the point of guns, games, and such.”

The Inspector glared at him.

”I'll take my gun,” he said.

”Your gun? Why, cert! Did you drop it somewheres? Perhaps if you look round when the light's good you'll find it. Slimey, here, will help you. I'm pretty nigh certain you'll extradite that weapon in the morning. Good-night.”

With a curse the Inspector pa.s.sed out.

”Now, Ikey,” said The Kid coolly, ”stand aside, for there is a cur here that had the audacity to throttle me.”

With these words he sprang past Shock, seized the stranger by the throat, cuffed him with his open hand, and dragging him to the door sent him forth with a parting kick and an imprecation.

”Now, Macfarren,” he said, turning to that gentleman, who still sat by the table, ”you have some money not belonging to you. Put it on the table.”

Without a moment's hesitation Macfarren hastily poured forth from his pocket poker-chips, gold pieces, and bills.

”I a.s.sure you, Mr. Stanton,” he hurried to say, ”I was simply holding them till the--ah trouble should be over.”

”That was most kind,” replied Stanton. ”I have no very clear remembrance, but I was under the impression that it was your suggestion to lock the door.”

As he spoke he swept the money into his pocket.

”Certainly, but my only intention was to keep but ah--strangers and--intruders. You know, Mr. Stanton, I would be no party to robbery, and, indeed, I do not believe 'for a moment that any robbery was intended. It was an unfortunate eagerness on the part of Crawley to secure his winnings that precipitated the trouble. I really hope you do not think me capable of anything of the sort.”

Macfarren's manner was abject, but his tone was evidently sincere.

”You were unfortunate in your company, then, Mr. Macfarren. Come on, Ike. We are done with this gang. Lucky I was not quite slewed, or my creditors would have been in mourning to-morrow. Mr. Macgregor, where do you put up?”

”He's with me to-night,” said Ike, ”and a mighty fortunate circ.u.mstance it was for us all. This here business had got beyond my capabilities..