22
To the people in Milligan's it had been most incredible that Jack Landisshould withdraw from a competition of any sort. And though the girlswere able to understand his motives in taking Nelly Lebrun away theywere not able to explain this fully to their men companions. For one andall they admitted that Jack was imperiling his hold on the girl inquestion if he allowed her to stay near this red-headed fiend. But oneand all they swore that Jack Landis had ruined himself with her bytaking her away. And this was a paradox which made masculine heads inThe Corner spin. The main point was that Jack Landis had backed downbefore a rival; and this fact was stunning enough. Donnegan, however,was not confused. He sent big George to ask Milligan to come to him fora moment.
Milligan, at this, cursed George, but he was drawn by curiosity toconsent. A moment later he was seated at Donnegan's table, drinking hisown liquor as it was served to him from the hands of big George. If thefirst emotions of the dance-hall proprietor were anger and intensecuriosity, his second emotion was that never-failing surprise which allwho came close to the wanderer felt. For he had that rare faculty ofseeming larger when in action, even when actually near much bigger men.Only when one came close to Donnegan one stepped, as it were, through aveil, and saw the almost fragile reality. When Milligan had caught hisbreath and adjusted himself, he began as follows:
"Now, Bud," he said, "you've made a pretty play. Not bad at all. But nomore bluffs in Milligan's."
"Bluff!" Donnegan repeated gently.
"About your servant. I let it pass for one night, but not for another."
"My dear Mr. Milligan! However"--changing the subject easily--"what Iwish to speak to you about is a bit of trouble which I foresee. I think,sir, that Jack Landis is coming back."
"What makes you think that?"
"It's a feeling I have. I have queer premonitions, Mr. Milligan, I'msure he's coming and I'm sure he's going to attempt a murder."
Milligan's thick lips framed his question but he did not speak: fearmade his face ludicrous.
"Right here?"
"Yes."
"A shootin' scrape here! You?"
"He has me in mind. That's why I'm speaking to you."
"Don't wait to speak to me about it. Get up and get out!"
"Mr. Milligan, you're wrong. I'm going to stay here and you're going toprotect me."
"Well, confound your soul! They ain't much nerve about you, is there?"
"You run a public place. You have to protect your patrons from insult."
"And who began it, then? Who started walkin' on Jack's toes? Now youcome whinin' to me! By heck, I hope Jack gets you!"
"You're a genial soul," said Donnegan. "Here's to you!"
But something in his smile as he sipped his liquor made Milligan sitstraighter in his chair.
As for Donnegan, he was thinking hard and fast. If there were a shootingaffair and he won, he would nevertheless run a close chance of beinghung by a mob. He must dispose that mob to look upon him as thedefendant and Landis as the aggressor. He had not foreseen the crisisuntil it was fairly upon him. He had thought of Nelly playing Landisalong more gradually and carefully, so that, while he was slowlylearning that she was growing cold to him, he would have a chance togrow fond of Lou Macon once more. But even across the width of the roomhe had seen the girl fire up, and from that moment he knew the result.Landis already suspected him; Landis, with the feeling that he had beenrobbed, would do his best to kill the thief. He might take a chance withLandis, if it came to a fight, just as he had taken a chance with Lewis.But how different this case would be! Landis was no dull-nerved ruffianand drunkard. He was a keen boy with a hair-trigger balance, and in agunplay he would be apt to beat the best of them all. Of all thisDonnegan was fully aware. Either he must place his own life in terriblehazard or else he must shoot to kill; and if he killed, what of LouMacon?
While he smiled into the face of Milligan, perspiration was bursting outunder his armpits.
"Mr. Milligan, I implore you to give me your aid."
"What's the difference?" Milligan asked in a changed tone. "If he don'tfight you here he'll fight you later."
"You're wrong, Mr. Milligan. He isn't the sort to hold malice. He'llcome here tonight and try to get at me like a bulldog straining on aleash. If he is kept away he'll get over his bad temper."
Milligan pushed back his chair.
"You've tried to force yourself down the throat of The Corner," he said,"and now you yell for help when you see the teeth."
He had raised his voice. Now he got up and strode noisily away. Donneganwaited until he was halfway across the dance floor and then rose inturn.
"Gentlemen," he said.
The quiet voice cut into every conversation; the musicians lowered theinstruments.
"I have just told Mr. Milligan that I am sure Jack Landis is coming backhere to try to kill me. I have asked for his protection. He has refusedit. I intend to stay here and wait for him, Jack Landis. In the meantimeI ask any able-bodied man who will do so, to try to stop Landis when heenters."
He sat down, raised his glass, and sipped the drink. Two hundred pairsof eyes were fastened with hawklike intensity upon him, and they couldperceive no quiver of his hand.
The sipping of his liquor was not an affectation. For he was drinking,at incredible cost, liquors from Milligan's store of rareties.
The effect of Donnegan's announcement was first a silence, then a hum,then loud voices of protest, curiosity--and finally a scurrying towardthe doors.
Yet really very few left. The rest valued a chance to see the fightbeyond the fear of random slugs of lead which might fly their way.Besides, where such men as Donnegan and big Jack Landis were concerned,there was not apt to be much wild shooting. The dancing stopped, ofcourse. The music was ordered by Milligan to play, in a frantic endeavorto rouse custom again; but the music of its own accord fell away in themiddle of the piece. For the musicians could not watch the notes and thedoor at the same time.
As for Donnegan, he found that it was one thing to wait and another tobe waited for. He, too, wished to turn and watch that door until itshould be filled by the bulk of Jack Landis. Yet he fought the desire.
And in the midst of this torturing suspense an idea came to him, and atthe same instant Jack Landis entered the doorway. He stood there lookingvast against the night. One glance around was sufficient to teach himthe meaning of the silence. The stage was set, and the way opened toDonnegan. Without a word, big George stole to one side.
Straight to the middle of the dance floor went Jack Landis, red-faced,with long, heavy steps. He faced Donnegan.
"You skunk!" shouted Landis. "I've come for you!"
And he went for his gun. Donnegan, too, stirred. But when the revolverleaped into the hand of Landis, it was seen that the hands of Donneganrose past the line of his waist, past his shoulders, and presentlylocked easily behind his head. A terrible chance, for Landis had comewithin a breath of shooting. So great was the impulse that, as hechecked the pressure of his forefinger, he stumbled a whole paceforward. He walked on.
"You need cause to fight?" he cried, striking Donnegan across the facewith the back of his left hand, jerking up the muzzle of the gun in hisright.
Now a dark trickle was seen to come from the broken lips of Donnegan,yet he was smiling faintly.
Jack Landis muttered a curse and said sneeringly: "Are you afraid?"
There were sick faces in that room; men turned their heads, for nothingis so ghastly as the sight of a man who is taking water.
"Hush," said Donnegan. "I'm going to kill you, Jack. But I want to killyou fairly and squarely. There's no pleasure, you see, in beating ayoungster like you to the draw. I want to give you a fighting chance.Besides"--he removed one hand from behind his head and waved itcarelessly to where the men of The Corner crouched in the shadow--"youpeople have seen me drill one chap already, and I'd like to shoot you ina new way. Is that agreeable?"
Two terrible, known figures detached themselves from
the gloom near thedoor.
"Hark to this gent sing," said one, and his name was the Pedlar. "Harkto him sing, Jack, and we'll see that you get fair play."
"Good," said his friend, Joe Rix. "Let him take his try, Jack."
As a matter of fact, had Donnegan reached for a gun, he would have beenshot before even Landis could bring out a weapon, for the steady eye ofJoe Rix, hidden behind the Pedlar, had been looking down a revolverbarrel at the forehead of Donnegan, waiting for that first move. Butsomething about the coolness of Donnegan fascinated them.
"Don't shoot, Joe," the Pedlar had said. "That bird is the chief overagain. Don't plug him!"
And that was why Donnegan lived.