Trapes, summoned to the front door by a
feverish knocking, presently came back followed by Tony, whose bright
eyes looked wider than usual as he saluted the company.
"Hey, Geoff, me tell-a you piece-a da-noos!" he cried excitedly, "big-a
piece-a da-noos. Da cops go-a pinch-a Bud-a M'Ginn'!"
"Bud? Bud?" stammered the Spider. "Have they pinched Bud? Is this the
straight goods, Tony?"
"Sure--they gott-a heem this-a morn in Jersey City--'n' say, he think-a
eet a frame-up--he theenk-a Geoff set-a de cops for-a take heem."
"The hell he does!" exclaimed the Spider, starting to his feet.
"So he send-a da word to Soapy," continued Tony, his eyes rolling, "an'
now all-a da gang's out layin' for-a Geoff. So when Geoff go-a out on
da street--bingo! Dey snuff hees light out--"
"Not much they won't!" said the Spider, buttoning up his coat and
turning to the door. "I'll mighty soon fix this, I guess."
"Do you think you can, Spider?" enquired Ravenslee. "If you're going to
have any trouble, don't bother about--"
"Bo," said the Spider, squaring his big jaw, "get onto this: here's
where I chip in with ye; from now on we're in this game together, an'
I ain't a guy as'll lay down his hand till I'm called--an' called good,
see? You said it was goin' t' be a man's work--by Jiminy Christmas, it
looks like you're right; anyway, I stand in with you, that's sure--put
it there, bo!"
"But," said Ravenslee, as their hands gripped, "I don't want you to take
any chances on my account, or run any--"
"Fudge, bo, fudge! I ain't takin' no chances--"
"Well, I'm coming along to see you don't!" said Ravenslee, reaching for
his hat.
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