第48章

"My dear sir," said Simmons, rubbing his hands, his smile becoming more and more expansive, "this is my house, that door is my door.If you break it, I should be grieved to have to exact the full penalty of the law."Shock hesitated.He had never willingly broken a law in his life.It would be a most unfortunate beginning for his mission in this town, and, after all, what business had he to interfere? If this young fool was determined to waste his money, let him do so.

But he thought of Ike, and the entreaty in his voice as he whispered out his broken words, and he thought of the look of reverence and love on the lad's face that afternoon when he gave his toast, "My mother? God bless her!" Shock's face set hard.

"I must see him," he said simply, but with such an air of determination that Simmons weakened.

"Well, if you wait a few minutes," replied Smiley, "I will see if he will speak to you."Shock waited till Smiley opened the door, whereupon, stepping quickly forward, he set his foot against the lower panel and pushed the door wide open.

In a small room, bare of furniture except for tables and chairs and a hanging lamp, sat four men, of whom Shock recognised two.The Kid was one, and Macfarren the other.Across the table from these sat two men, one by his uniform the Inspector of the Mounted Police.The face of the other had to Shock a familiar look, but where he had seen him he could not remember.

As Shock opened the door the man in uniform started up with an oath, and Macfarren blew out the light.

"What's that for, Macfarren?" said The Kid.

"Shut up, you fool," growled Macfarren.

"What did you say, sir?" enquired The Kid, in a voice somewhat thick and unsteady.

"Get him out of here," said Macfarren, in a low tone.

"I want to have a few words with Mr.Stanton," said Shock, standing in the doorway.

"Here you are.Fire away," replied the boy."The light is not good, but I can hear in the dark.""You are wanted, Mr.Stanton, very earnestly by a friend of yours.""Let him walk right in if he wants me," replied The Kid.

"That he cannot do.He is very ill."

"Ah! who is he, may I ask?" enquired Stanton, striking a match.

It was promptly blown out.

"I wouldn't do that again," he said gently."Who is it?" he repeated, striking.another match and lighting the lamp.

"It is Ike," said Shock."He is very ill--dying, for all I know, and he wants you."For answer there was a contemptuous laugh from the Mounted Policeman, in which Macfarren joined.

"Rather good that," said Macfarren.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," said the boy, making a strenuous effort to pull himself together."I hate to leave this good company, but Imust go.I happen to pay Ike wages, but he is my friend.He has asked for me, and I am going to him.""Oh, blank it all! Don't be a fool," said the policeman."Ike's all right.He has been taking an extra drink, but you can't kill Ike.

Wait for half an hour, and we'll go down and see how he is."The young lad hesitated.The stranger made a signal to Smiley, and suddenly Shock found himself; pushed backward from the entrance, and the door slammed in his face.

"Open that door!" he heard The Kid cry.

There was a murmur in response.

"Open it, I say, Simmons."

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 assailant 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 assure 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, Ishall 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.