"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, Isurmise."
"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.
"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 assistance.""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 passed 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 au 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 assure 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 circumstance it was for us all.This here business had got beyond my capabilities..Some of us need a keeper.""That's me, Ikey.Yes, I know.Rub it in.It's a keeper I need.
Well, I give you my word I am done with this gang.Fool! Fool!" he continued bitterly, "a cursed fool, Ikey.Three years of it now.""That's what," said Ikey, leading the way down the street."For the past two years, boss, you know you've beat me.Though I don't hold myself out as no sort of paradox--""Paragon, Ikey," said The Kid, with a gentle laugh.He always found his cowboy's English amusing.
"Paragon, eh? Well, all the same, I aint no sort of paragon, but Iknow where to stop,"
"Where are we now, Ike? At the end of the rope, eh?""No, by the livin' Gimmini! but gettin' there on the jump," said Ike, with grave emphasis.
Without further conversation they made their way through the dark streets till they reached Ike's shack.
The doctor lay still asleep in the corner.
"He kidnapped him," was Ike's explanation to The Kid, nodding his head toward Shock."So I'd advise that you hitch on to the preacher here for a period.Give him the job of windin' you up.""Could you undertake that, do you think?" There was a curious smile on the boy's face, but an undertone of seriousness in his voice.
