ns, I'm sure?"

"Well, I'll not deny a onion here an' there, Mr. Geoffrey--a stoo needs
'em."

"Ah, I knew it!" sighed Ravenslee. "I grieve that I shan't be able to
eat it."

"Not eat--what, you? Say, y' ain't sick, are you?"

"Not in body, Mrs. Trapes."

"Then why no stoo?"

"Because I shan't be here. I'm going, Mrs. Trapes--I'm leaving
Mulligan's now--for good--"

"Leavin'--y' mean with Hermy?"

"No--alone. Good-by, Mrs. Trapes!"

"My land!" gasped Mrs. Trapes, "what you tellin' me?"

"Good-by, Mrs. Trapes!"

"But why? Oh, dear Lord, what is it? Who--"

"I want to thank you--for all your kindness. Good-by!"

As one in a dream Mrs. Trapes extended a limp hand and stood wide of
eye and pale of cheek to watch him go; and as he descended the stairs,
her look of helpless, pained surprise went with him. Swiftly he strode
across that familiar court, shoulders squared, chin outthrust, and eyes
that glowed ominously in his pale face beneath fierce-scowling brows. As
he turned into Tenth Avenue there met him the Spider.

"What you chasin' this time, bo?" he enquired.

"M'Ginnis."

"Then you're sure chasin' trouble."

"That's what I want. D' you know where he is?"

"Sure I do, but--"

The Spider paused, drawing in his breath slowly, as with experienced
gaze he viewed Ravenslee's pale, set face--the delicate nostrils wide
and quivering, the relentless mouth and burning eyes and all the
repressed ferocity of him and, drawing back a step, the Spider shook his
head.

"Bo," said he, "that's jest what I ain't goin' t' tell ye."

"Very well, I must find him."

"Don't!" said the Spider, walking on beside him, "if I didn't think a
whole lot o' ye, I'd lead ye t' him."

"Oh--I shall find him, if it takes me all night."

"An' if ye do, it'll be murder, I'm dead sure--"

"Murder?" said Ravenslee with a flash of white teeth. "Well, I shall
certainly kill him--this time!"

"Is it th' Kid again?"

"No--oh, no, it's just for my own satisfaction--and pleasure."

"You ain't heeled, are ye? This ain't goin' t' be no gun-play--eh?"

"No, I haven't a gun, but I've brought his--neckerchief."

"Sufferin' Pete!" murmured the Spider in a strangely awed voice, and
walked on in silence, chewing viciously.

"Bo," said he at last, "I'm thinkin' th' kindest thing I could do would
be t' slip one over t' your point while you wasn't lookin', an' puttin'
you t' sleep a bit--you want soothin'! Bud'll be too big fer you or