Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 148: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

298 at the drop of the hat for a friend or for what they believed was right. Jensen was enlisting the vilest creatures of the water- front and the saloons. ‘Tf there is anything in right and wrong, this thing ought to show signs of clearin’ up before long,” Jerry said. “TI dunno, though.” He had begun to consider right and wrong only so recently that he was not an expert analyst of either. But he was do- ing the best he could. CHAPTER XI. NEW FORCES. Now he had to find Jensen and keep on his trail till he discovered what the lat- ter intended to do about the pay car. The car would be passing through the village next day arfal would lie gver somewhere to the east. Jensen doubtless would be pre- paring for his attack on it. Jerry saw that he ewould have to go to the Jungle again, and he set out for it after he had left Curry and Bartholomew. The weather had been mild that day, but at dusk the temperature had started to go down. Now snow was beginning to fall in big, heavy flakes. By the time Jerry reached the head of Jensen’s street, he was shut in. He could not see the building on the corner, though he was within ten feet of it. He was glad of this, because if he had to follow Jensen he could do so with- out being seen. He did not want to show himself in Jen- sen’s place. He wanted Jensen to keep-on worrying about Jerry’s supposed death. He knew that when a drinking man got a case of nerves, he became about as unstable as a man could become. He might have a chance to gain the stor- age room adjoining Jensen’s bedroom, but if Jensen again found him there, he had no doubt that Jensen would kill him or he would have to kill Jensen. He stood on the corner, waiting. Sooner or later some one he knew would come that way. Dayton had passed the word among the railroad men about Jensen’s conduct, but there were a few who would not turn an amazing amount of alcohol. ~THE ARGOSY. against the Swede on that account. Jensen had usually been good for a between-pay- days “‘ touch,” and some of the men owed him money. If they hadn’t the cash, they could also get limited credit at Jensen’s. Jerry knew, however, that it was a curi- ous fact that these men disliked the saloon man. Jensen might lend or give credit, but he did it in an insulting way. These men lived from pay-day to pay-day, but they were proud after their own fashion. Some of them even nursed a lively hatred for the saloon-keeper. It was one of these whom Jerry waited for, to bring him information from inside Jensen’s saloon. Half an hour passed before a figure bulked itself out of the gloom. Before Jerry — caught sight of it, the man was so close to him that Jerry was able to reach out a hand and lay it on the man’s arm. The newcomer stopped, peering. ‘“ Jeerus’‘lum!” he ejaculated. “ Jerry Donovan. I heard you was dead. You ain’t a ghost, are you?” Jerry smiled and extended his hand. “Shake, Luce, and see,” he said. The man took his hand, gingerly at first, and then gave it a crushing grip. ‘I’m damned,” he said, “ but I’m glad to see you among the livin’, Jerry. What can I do for you?” 7 : “If I ask you to do me a favor, you won’t go and tell Jensen, will you?” Jerry asked. ‘““Me blat to that Swede? I guess not. Let’s have it straight, Jerry. You know I’m a friend of yours.” “You were on your way to Jensen’s?” Jerry asked. 3 ec Veh.” “Tl go down the street on the oppo- site side. I’ll-wait for you in the entrance to old Hazelman’s grocery. You go into Jensen’s, and see if he’s there and if he’s ettin’ ready to go out. Have a drink and come and tell me.” Luce was a fireman on the road. He was a big, ungainly man who could handle He was always ‘“‘ broke” and generally in Jensen’s debt for both money and credit. ‘““T dunno about havin’ the drink, Jerry,” he said with a sheepish grin. “ Vm in my CORMICLOOO© S (E@