第82章

"Stop!" he said."This man is my friend.""Friend or no friend," shrieked Nancy, beside herself with rage, "out he goes.He called me names in this town.He threatened to drive me out of the town.""Come, Don," said Shock, ignoring Nancy."I want you.""Wait one moment and I am with you," replied The Don, going back to the table where he had been sitting." We will finish this game again, gentlemen," he said."Hickey, that's my money.Hand it over.""You lie!" said Hickey."Curse you for a blank, blank swell! You can't come that game over us.It aint your money, anyway, and you know it.That's money you raised for the hospital.Come on, boys, let's clean them out.They don't belong to us."With these words he sprang at The Don, but The Don's training in the 'Varsity gymnasium had not been in vain, and he met Hickey with a straight left-hander that sent him into the corner upon his shoulders, with his feet in the air.

Simultaneously with Hickey's attack, Nancy, shrieking "Kill him!

kill him!" flew at Shock, and fastening her fingers in his hair dragged his head downward.Taking advantage of this attack a man from the crowd rushed in and struck him a heavy blow on the neck, and as he was falling kicked him full in his face.Immediately another, jumping on Shock's prostrate form, began kicking him savagely with his heavy calked boots.

"Give it to him!" yelled Nancy, dancing about like a fiend.

"Stop! Stop! You have killed him!" shrieked the young girl, Nellie by name, throwing herself upon Shock and covering him with her body.

"Get up, you blank fool!" yelled Nancy, seizing her by the hair.

At this moment, however, The Don, freed from Hickey, sprang to Shock's side, seized Nancy by the back of the neck and hurled her across the room, caught the man who was still trying to kick Shock to death, by the throat, and holding him at half arm struck him a terrific blow and threw him like a log against his companion, who came rushing to his assistance.

Meantime Nancy, still shrieking her refrain, "Kill him! kill him!"was dragging forward Hickey, who had partially recovered from The Don's blow, to renew the attack.

"Come on, you cowards!" she cried to the other men."What are you afraid of? Come on."Stung by her taunts the men, led by Hickey, prepared to rush, when the door opened and Sergeant Crisp appeared.Immediately the men who had attacked Shock vanished through the back door.

"Hickey, I want you.Stand where you are.You too, Nancy, and every man of you.What's this? Someone hurt? Why, it's the preacher.This may be serious," he continued, drawing his revolver."Don't move.

Not a man of you.What does this mean?" he asked, addressing The Don.

"My friend there," said The Don, "came for me.We were going out when they attacked us.""Go and get help," replied the Sergeant."We will carry him to the hospital.You would, eh?" to one of the men who started for the door."Here, put up your hands.Quick!" There was a flash and a click, and the man stood handcuffed.

In a few moments The Don came back with help, and they carried Shock, groaning and bleeding, to the hospital, while the Sergeant, putting a man in charge of Nancy and her gang, accompanied The Don.

In an agony of remorseful solicitude for his friend, and cursing himself for his folly, The Don directed the movements of the bearers.

In the darkness behind them came the girl Nellie, following to the door of the hospital.

"What are you after?" said Sergeant Crisp sharply."We don't want you here.""I want to see the doctor," she said earnestly.

"Well?" said The Don, facing round to her.

"Let me nurse him," she said in a hurried, timid voice."I have had training.You can depend upon me."The Don hesitated, glancing at her dishevelled, gaudy attire, painted cheeks, and frowsy hair.

"Well," he said, "you may come."

The girl disappeared, and in a very few minutes returned dressed modestly and quietly, the paint and pencilling washed from her face, her hair smoothed behind her ears.The Don looked her over, and nodding approval said: "That is better.Now, hold the light for me."His examination revealed serious injuries about the head and face, three ribs broken, one piercing the lungs.With Nellie's assistance he managed to dress the wounds and set the broken bones before Shock regained full consciousness.

As they were finishing.Shock opened his eyes and fixed them enquiringly upon The Don's face.

"Well, how do you feel, old chap? Pretty sore, I guess," enquired The Don.

Shock tried to speak, but his attempt ended in a groan.Still his eyes remained fastened enquiringly upon The Don's face.The Don bent over him.

"The money, Don," he said with great difficulty."Hospital?"The Don groaned.He understood only too well;, and unable to escape the insisting eyes, replied: "Yes, Shock.But I will make it all right.Hickey has it now."Shock closed his eyes for a few minutes, and then, opening them again, compelled The Don's attention.

"Send for Ike," he whispered."Right away."Next day Ike appeared in a cold, white rage at The Don.He had got the whole story from the messenger, and blamed no one but The Don.

As Shock's eyes rested upon Ike's lean, hard face, bent over him so anxiously, he smiled a glad welcome.

"Don't look like that, Ike," he said."I'll soon be fit.""Why, you just bet!" said Ike, with a loud laugh, deriding all anxiety.

"Ike," whispered Shock.Ike bent over him."I want two hundred dollars at once.Don't tell."Without a word of questioning Ike nodded, saying "In half an hour, Iguess." But in less time he appeared and, slipping the roll of bills under Shock's pillow, said: "It's all there.""Good old boy," said Shock, trying to offer his hand.

Ike took his hand carefully."Is there anything else?" he said, his voice grave and hoarse.

"No, old boy," said Shock."Thank you."

"Then," said Ike, "you'll keep quieter without me, I guess.I'll be on hand outside." And with a nod he strode out of the room, his face working with grief and rage.