"Don't I know I've got a good man, and I'm
going to be happier than I deserve."

CHAPTER XXIV

CLAY LAYS DOWN THE LAW

Tim Muldoon, in his shirt-sleeves, was busy over a late breakfast when
his mother opened the door of the flat to let in Clay Lindsay.

The policeman took one look at the damaged face and forgot the plate of
ham and eggs that had just been put before him.

"Yuh've been at it again!" he cried, his Irish eyes lighting up with
anticipatory enjoyment.

"I had a little set-to with friend Jerry last night," the Westerner
explained.

"Another?"

"Now don't you blame me. I'm a peaceful citizen--not lookin' for
trouble a li'l' bit. But I don't aim to let this Durand comb my hair
with a rake."

"What's the trouble now?"

"You heard about the girl abducted in an auto from the Bronx?"

"Uh-huh! Was Jerry in that?"

"He was. I'll tell you the whole story, Tim."

"Meet my mother first. Mother--Mr. Lindsay. Yuh've heard me talk av
him."

Mrs. Muldoon's blue Irish eyes twinkled. She was a plump and ample
woman, and her handshake was firm and strong.

"I have that. Tim thinks yuh a wonder, Mr. Lindsay."

"Oh, he's prejudiced. You see he doesn't like the Big Mogul Jerry."

"Well, he's sure a booster for yuh."

Clay told the story of his encounter with Durand on the train and of
his subsequent meetings with him at the Sea Siren and on the night of
the poker party. He made elisions and emendations that removed the
bedroom scene from the tale.

"So that's when yuh met Annie Millikan," Tim said. "I was wonderin'
how yuh knew her."

"That's when I met her. She's one fine girl, Tim, a sure-enough
thoroughbred. She has fought against heavy odds all her life to keep
good and honest. And she's done it."

"She has that," agreed Mrs. Muldoon heartily. "Annie is a good girrl.
I always liked her."

"I'd bet my last chip on Annie. So last night I went straight to her.
She wouldn't throw down 'Slim' Jim, but she gave me an address. I went
there and met Durand."

"With his gang?" asked Tim.

"No; I waited till they had gone. I locked myself in a room alone with
him. He took eight shots at me in the dark and then we mixed."

"Mother o' Moses!" exclaimed the policeman. "In the dark?"

"No. I had switched the lights on."

"You bate him! I can see it in your eye!" cried Muldoon, pounding the
table so that the dishes jumped.

"You'll have to ask him about that." Clay passed t