The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-03
Chapter II
The Law Steps In

II culean effort cleanly it Is
probable that Mr.. Diffenderfer
might subsequently have been sold
for a Jig saw puzzle. But as the
intended haymaker vele d
through space Mr.. Diffenderfer
moved slightly. The blow landed,
with sickening force, on the bor-
derline between Papa Chin and
Mama Chin. But, even so, 1t played
havoc with Mr.. Diffenderfer. Mr..
Diffenderfer toppled to his knees.
IL says much for the staying pow
ers of Mr.. Diffenderfer's disreput-
able brown felt hat that it man.
aged to retain its hold on any
familiar territory whatsoever.
True. when the hurricane struck
II was forced to give ground. But
il gave it grudgingly, retiring in
good order to the vicinity of the
Diffenderfer left ear. The cigar,
however, couldn't take it. The cigar
was knocked out Of the parish al
together. 1t few from Mr.. Diffen-
derfer's lips like small brown
dart. Mr.. Diffenderfer let it go
without protest. Mr.. Diffenderfer
was too busy calling for reinforce-
ments.
Harry" bawled Mr.. Offender
fer in a voice that would have
turned back Genghis Khan. Joel"
There was a rush Of feet and a
parting Of the crowd. Harry and Joe
doomed up on the skyline. Bullet
headed, slab jawed, ape armed,
they were the answer to the boss
racketeer's prayer for a body
guard. BY profession Harry and
Joe were the bouncers at Diffen-
derfer's.
Harry, Joe's senior in the job.
constituted himself spokesman.
sWuz va wantin' us. Chief" he
inquired of Mr.. Diffenderfer. who
still maintained an attitude ia
vored by monks at prayer.
Mr. Diffenderfer gestured at
William.
Throw that guy out" he COM
manded terSely,
"Okay, Chief" assented Harry,
with relish. He beckoned Joe.
"C'mon, mugi"
Mr.. William Steele, however.
had no intention of meekly SUBJ
hitting to the ministrations of
these opponents of La Bounce. He
backed up against the platform
and stood in an embattled position.
awaiting the charge. It came pres
emily. Harry leading Joe by step.
The fact that Harry was in mo-
ton and that William, solid and
stationary. might have been dou-
bling for King James's rock made
all the difference. William was
able to get set. His right, warmed
up by its work on Mr.. Offender
fer's Jaw, now assembled to dizzy
pinnacles of achievement. Harry.
coming in fast. led with his stom-
aeh. William planted the right
squarely in the middle of this use-
full organ.
"Ooooofl" said Harry, and sat
down abruptly.
But there was no time for Mr.
Steele to deal satisfactorily with
Joe. Joe. moving hard on Harry's
heels. nimbly evaded the col
lapsing carcass of his confederate
and aimed a gallant punch. It
brushed by Williams ear. William,
without opportunity to strike.
elinched. Like two m astodons
fighting it out in some primordial
swamp they waltzed about Diffen-
derfer's. strewing havoc.
And at this point the cops ar
rived.
Patrolman Terence O'Mahoney
had been patrolling outside the
penny arcade when it became APP
parent TO him, from certain sounds
arising within. that here was gilt
edged opportunity to strut his
stuff. But. lion hearted though he
was, the scion of the O'Mahoneys
hesitated to enter alone. Bitter ex-
perience had taught him that a
brawl in Diffenderfer's usually in
volved q respectable portion of
New York's citizenry. Wherefore
Patrolman O'Mahoney played ii
safe. He summoned to his side Pa
trolmen Denis Finn. Benjamin
Druckensbratter and Ira Smith.
Together. avenging angels in blue.
they invaded Diffenderfer'S.
Low Estate
yXTHEN you come right down to II
w four policemen are nothing
more than a complete backfield. q
bobtailed flush. q set of quad
ruplets or any other arrangement
recurring. for full mum erica
strength. the multiplication Of two
by two. But such is the majesty OF
the law that. to the jaundiced eye
Of the maiefactor. four policemen
look like the hordes of Attila. VIII
liam. embracing and embraced by
Joe and beating a tattoo over Joe'S
kidneys. received an impression as
of the Mediterranean in brass but
tons pouring into the penny ar
cade. At almost the same moment
Joe became aware of the constabu-
larry. He dropped William like 8
hot potato and stood to one side
with an I-didn't-do-nuthin -air.
Patrolman Terence O'Mahoney
advanced with night-stick drawn.
%Now then. inquired Patrolman
O'Mahoney. glancing from be-
meath beetling brows. whats goin'
on in here2"
Herman ]. Diffenderfer, having
enjoyed the benefit Of long count,
heaved himself up from his devo-
tons. He pointed TO William.
THAT guy he reared He tried
70 start a riot in my the-ay-ter."
The spotlight centered on WI
liam.
did you," demanded Patrolman
O'Mahoney. stry to start riot in
this the-ay-ter2"
Bill opened his mouth TO reply,
but Mr.. Diffenderfer beat him 20 Il
@Did her" said Mr.. Diffenderfer,
with fine scorn. He was tryin' to