oing around with your hoops loosened, that's all."

As Bat Scanlon listened, the wording of Ashton-Kirk's request passed
through his mind.

"Go to 'Duke' Sheehan's place," the investigator had said, "and look out
for the gentleman called Big Slim. If possible, get acquainted with him,
and find out anything of value he might have."

"If I had been making chances," thought Bat, "I couldn't have made a
better one than this. If the slim one is get-at-able at all, now is the
time."

So he moved along the bar until he was at the burglar's side.

"Friend," said he, "I like to see a guy with insides. The man who says
'I stick right here no matter what the other fellow's got,' is the kind
I warm to."

The shifty, deep-set eyes glinted wickedly.

"I'll separate his ribs for him!" said he. "If he bothers with----"

"Now, here, none of that!" cried the saloon-keeper, startled out of his
easy humor. "No knife or gun stuff, Slim, do you hear?"

But it is doubtful if Big Slim did hear; for just then the infuriated
fighting man caught sight of him, swept aside the throng and advanced.

"So here you are, eh?" Allen's little head was thrust forward and his
jaw protruded wickedly. "Well, what have you got to say for yourself
before I knock your block off?"

The intimates of the pugilist had been prolific of words while
hostilities were still in the distance; but they knew the ugly nature of
the man and now held their peace. But Bat Scanlon, his mind firmly
furnished with a plan of action, slowly moved into the space between
Allen and the object of his anger.

"Speaking of knocking heads off," said he, "let me put you up in
something that always goes with that little performance." He laid a hand
on the broad chest of the pugilist. "Always pick your man," said he,
"and for your own sake never let him carry less beef than yourself."

"Get out of the road," growled Push Allen, viciously.

"This fellow," and Bat nodded calmly toward Big Slim, "is a good forty
pounds less than you. Now, I happen to be a friend of his, and----"

But before he could speak another word, the pugilist aimed a furious
blow at him. Bat stooped under it easily.

"----and," continued he, "I won't see you, or anybody else----"

Again came a terrific drive from Allen; but Bat put it aside deftly, and
as he stepped forward, his power of body forced the other back.

"----put anything over on him," finished Scanlon.

"You won't, eh?" Push Allen glared l