The Definite Object Part 51

"But the window was open; why didn't you come in right away?"

"Not much, bo, I ain't the kind o' fool as makes a habit o' wakin' your kind out o' their beauty sleep sudden, no more I ain't a guy as takes liberties in strange bedrooms, see?"

"Well, come in, Spider--sit on the bed; I haven't a chair to offer. By the way, I have to thank you--"

"Whaffor?"

"Breaking that window--"

"Oh, I guess it wasn't a bad wheeze."

"It gave me the chance I wanted, Spider."

"Which you sure gripped with both mitts, bo!"

"Now have a cigar--in that coat pocket--"

"Not me, Geoff! Smoke's bad for th' wind, that's why I've took t' gum."

Saying which, the Spider proceeded to take out and open a packet of that necessary adjunct, and having posted it into his mouth piece by piece, fell to grim mastication.

"Bo," said he suddenly, "you come away without your roof last night."

"Eh?" said Ravenslee, blinking drowsily, "my what?"

"Your lid, bo."

"You mean my old hat?"

"That's what I'm tryin' t' tell you--an' say, that sure is the hardest bean cover I ever spotted; made of iron, is it? Where'd you find it?"

"At some dim and distant day it originated in England, I believe."

"Well, that lid would turn a poleaxe, sure; that's why I brought it back--it's out on the fire escape now."

"Very kind of you, Spider, but--"

"Bo, you're goin' t' need that hat an' a soot o' tin underwear from now on unless--well, unless you pack y'r trunk an' clear out o' h.e.l.l's Kitchen on th' jump."

"Why so?"

"Well, you certainly handed Bud a whole lot more 'n he's ever had before, an' it's a full house to a pair o' dooces he ain't lookin' for no more from you just yet. But then, Bud ain't no pet lamb nor yet a peace conference, an' it's four aces to a b.u.m-flush he means t' get back at ye some way--an' get ye good!"

"Oh?" said Ravenslee, yawning.

"And oh some more!" nodded the Spider; "it's sure comin' t' you. When I got back las' night, there's Bud settin' against th' wall lookin' like an exhibit from the morgue, fightin' for breath t' cuss you with. 'N'

say, you sure had done him up some, which I wasn't nowise sad or peeved about, no, sir! Me an' Bud's never been what you might call real kittenish an' playful together. But it seems you ain't only soaked an'

throttled him good an' plenty, but he's gone an' let out t' you about that guy Heine--an' consequently you've gotter be kept from opening y'r mouth--see? Consequently it's you for a sudden an' hasty hike."

"Oh?" said Ravenslee again.

"Twice!" nodded the Spider, "with a F an' a L thrown in--that's what you'll be, Geoff, if you try t' buck Bud an' th' gang. So here I've s.h.i.+nnied up y'r fire escape to put ye wise an' lend a hand to make your swift get-away."

Ravenslee sighed and settled his head more comfortably on his pillow.

"You think I ought to go, Spider?"

"I don't think--I know! Your number's up, Geoff--it's you against th'

field, an', bo--they're some field!"

"You think there's real danger, then?" enquired Ravenslee, staring up at the fly-blown text with s.h.i.+ning eyes.

"As real as--death, bo!"

"Not so long ago I regarded Death as my best friend--"

"How much?" demanded the Spider, suspending mastication.

"Nothing, Spider, a mere pa.s.sing thought."

"Well, I'm tellin' ye they'll get ye sure--it'll be th' water or a forty-four bullet, or a blackjack or a knife--but you'll get it one way or another!"

"Sounds cheering!"

"An' it ain't over-pleasant t' be sandbagged."

"No, Spider."

"Nor t' feel a lead pipe wrapped round th' back o' y'r bean."

"No indeed, Spider."

"Nor yet t' feel a stiletta diggin' between y'r shoulders or over y'r collar bone."

"Worst of all, Spider."

"Well, you'd best pack y'r little trunk an' fade away, bo!" Ravenslee sat up suddenly and looked at the Spider with eyes very bright and wide.

"Not for all the gangs that ever ganged!" said he softly.

"Eh?" exclaimed the Spider, staring, "what's yer game?"

"I'm going to try to buck this gang clean out of existence."

"You are, eh?"

"I am."

"Bo," sighed the Spider, shaking his head, "you ain't a ordinary fool--you're a d.a.m.ned fool!"