, 1922-10-06
CHAPTER III

Go on with the Story
CHAPTER III
DY nine o'clock the noisy children
ID supper a ended: tho table hal
been cleared: Jim Hastings was tun-
Ing his fiddle in h big room; Eve had
seated herself before the battered mel
odeon.
They're off" remarked Clinch 70
Smith. who stood at the pantry shelf
prepared to serve whisky or beer upon
previous receipt OF payment.
In the event OF a sudden raid. the
arrangements ut CHnch's were quite
simple. Two large drain pipes emery
ed from the kitchen floor beside Smith.
and ended in Star Pond. In case OF
alarm the tub OF beer VAS poured
down one pipe; the whisky down the
the
Only the trout in Star Pond would
ever sample that hootch again.
Clinch. now slightly intoxicated
leaned heavily on the pantry shelf be
side Smith. adjusting his pistol under
his Euspenders.
Young feila." he said in his agree
able voice. you're e right. You
sure said a face-tuil when o says
TO me. Ewes a lady, by Godr' You
.oughta know. You was a gentleman
yourself once. Even IL you take &c
Htickin' up tourists you know a lady
when you see one. And you called the
turn. She is a lady. All I'm Twin
for is to get her down to the city and
give her money to live like a lady. III
DO Il vet. Soon, I'd do It to
- 4o-EUfN- T-raA \
the.lght it sure fire. If / was dead
certain I could get AWAY with IL.
I've got the money. Now,. Only it
amt in money. -. Smith"
Yes. Mike"
You know me?"
Sure"
You size me up?''
IT do"
"All right. II you ever tell anyone
7 got money that amt money IN hoo
you through the head"
Don't worry. Clinch."
IT amt. You're a crook; you won't
talk. You're a gentleman. too. They
don't sell out a pal. Say, Hal. there's
only n fella I don't want to meet
who's that, Mixer"
"Lemme tell you" continued Clinch.
resting more heavily n the shelf while
Smith. looking out through the pantry
shutter at the dancing, listened in.
tentiy.
when I was in France in a For
estry Regiment" went on Clinch. low
ering his always pleasant voice, 'I
was to Paris - leave a few days be.
fore they sent us home.
81 was in the Mushroom Of a caffy
-a-cleenin' up for supper. when dod
bang! into the place comes a-tumblin'
n man with two cops pushing and
kickin' him.
They didn't see me in there for
they locked the door on the man. He
was a swell gent, too, in full dress
and silk hat and all like that, and a
opry cloak and white kid gloves, and
mustache and French beard.
when they locked him up he stood
stock still and lit a cigaret. as cool as
ice. Then he begun walkin' around
looking for a way to get out; but thers
wasn't no way.
Then he seen me and over he
comes and talks English right away:
Want to mako n thousand francs.
soidier?' SEE he is n quick whisper.
You're on SEE I; show your dough-
Them Flies has went to get the Com
missaire for to frisk me- seq he. IT
they find this parcel on me 1 do
twenty years in Noumea. Five years
kills anybody out there What do you
want I should dor SEE I. havin' no love
for no cops. French or other. Take
this packet and stick it in your over
coat SEE he. Go to IS roo Quinze
October and give It to tho concierge
for Jose Quintana.' And he shoves the
packet on mo and a thousand.franc
note.
Then he grabs me sudden and pulls
open my collar. God. he was strong.
What's the matter with your
says I. Lemme go or III mash FOUR
mug nat Lemme see your identifi
cation disc he barks.
"Bein' in Paris for a bat. l had ex-
changed with my bunkie. Bill Hanson.
Let him look thinks /; and he reads
Bins check.
If you fool me- says he. III folly
ye and III do you in If takes the rest
of my life. You understand Sure
sas !. me tongue in me cheek. 'Bongi
Allez YOU enr says he.
"-How the hell SEE I. do I get out
Of here?' You're a Yankee soldier.
The Flies don't know you were in here.
You go and kick on that door and
make a honer.
SO l lone II good: and a cop opens