dh.theglasskey-第13部分

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　Madvig　said：　〃I　ought　to　knock　hell　out　of　you。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　grinned　sheepishly　and　sat　down　on　the　chair　he　had　staggered　against。　Madvig　sat　down　facing　him　and　knocked　on　the　top　of　the　table　with　his　seidel
　The　bar…tender　opened　the　door　and　put　his　head　in。
　〃More　beer；〃　Madvig　said。
　From　the　bar…room；　through　the　open　door；　came　the　sound　of　men　talking　and　the　sound　of　glasses　rattling　against　glasses　and　against　wood。
　
　
　
　
　IV。The　Dog　House
　
　1
　
　Ned　Beaumont；　at　breakfast　in　bed；　called；　〃e　in；〃　and　then；　when　the　outer　door　had　opened　and　closed：　〃Yes？〃
　A　low…pitched　rasping　voice　in　the　living…room　asked：　〃Where　are　you；　Ned？〃　Before　Ned　Beaumont　could　reply　the　rasping　voice's　owner　had　e　to　the　bedroom…door　and　was　saying：　〃Pretty　soft　for　you。〃　He　was　a　sturdy　young　man　with　a　square…cut　sallow　face；　a　wide　thick…lipped　mouth；　from　a　corner　of　which　a　cigarette　dangled；　and　merry　dark　squinting　eyes。
　〃'Lo；　Whisky；〃　Ned　Beaumont　said　to　him。　〃Treat　yourself　to　a　chair。〃
　Whisky　looked　around　the　room。　〃Pretty　good　dump　you've　got　here；〃　he　said。　He　removed　the　cigarette　from　his　lips　and；　without　turning　his　head；　used　the　cigarette　to　point　over　his　shoulder　at　the　living…room　behind　him。　〃What's　all　the　keysters　for？　Moving　out？〃
　Ned　Beaumont　thoroughly　chew…ed　and　swallowed　the　scrambled　eggs　in　his　mouth　before　replying：　〃Thinking　of　it。〃
　Whisky　said；　〃Yes？〃　while　moving　towards　a　chair　that　faced　the　bed。　He　sat　down。　〃Where　to？〃
　〃New　York　maybe。〃
　〃What　do　you　mean　maybe？〃
　Ned　Beaumont　said：　〃Well；　I've　got　a　ducat　that　reads　to　there；　any　way。〃
　Whisky　knocked　cigarette…ash　on　the　floor　and　returned　the　cigarette　to　the　left　side　of　his　mouth。　He　snuffled。　〃How　long　you　going　to　be　gone？〃
　Ned　Beaumont　held　a　coffee…cup　half…way　between　the　tray　and　his　mouth。　He　looked　thoughtfully　over　it　at　the　sallow　young　man。　Finally　he　said；　〃It's　a　one…way　ticket；〃　and　drank。
　Whisky　squinted　at　Ned　Beaumont　now　until　one　of　his　dark　eyes　was　entirely　shut　and　the　other　was　no　more　than　a　thin　black　gleam。　He　took　the　cigarette　from　his　mouth　and　knocked　more　ash　on　the　floor。　His　rasping　voice　held　a　persuasive　note。　〃Why　don't　you　see　Shad　before　you　go？〃　he　suggested。
　Ned　Beaumont　put　his　cup　down　and　smiled。　He　said：　〃Shad　and　I　aren't　good　enough　friends　that　his　feelings'lI　be　hurt　if　I　go　away　without　saying　good…by。〃
　Whisky　said：　〃That　ain't　ti…me　point。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　moved　the　tray　from　his　lap　to　the　bedside…table。　He　turned　on　his　side；　propping　himself　up　on　an　elbow　on　the　pillows。　He　pulled　the　bed…clothes　higher　up　over　his　chest。　Then　he　asked：　〃What　is　the　point？〃
　〃The　point　is　you　and　Shad　ought　to　be　able　to　do　business　together。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　shook　his　head。　〃I　don't　think　so。〃
　〃Can't　you　be　wrong？〃　Whisky　demanded。
　〃Sure；〃　the　man　in　bed　confessed。　〃Once　back　in　1912　I　was。　I　forget　what　it　was　about。〃
　Whisky　rose　to　mash　his　cigarette　in　one　of　the　dishes　on　the　tray。　Standing　beside　the　bed；　close　to　the　table；　he　said：　〃Why　don't　you　try　it；　Ned？〃
　Ned　Beaumont　frowned。　〃Looks　like　a　waste　of　time；　Whisky。　I　don't　think　Shad　and　I　could　get　along　together。〃
　Whisky　sucked　a　tooth　noisily。　The　downward　curve　of　his　thick　lips　gave　the　noise　a　scornful　cast。　〃SI…mad　thinks　you　could；〃　he　said。
　Ned　Beaumont　opened　his　eyes。　〃Yes？〃　he　asked。　〃He　sent　you　here？〃
　〃Hell；　yes；〃　Whisky　said。　〃You　don't　think　I'd　be　here　talking　like　this　if　he　hadn't。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　narrowed　his　eyes　again　and　asked：　〃Why？〃
　〃Because　he　thought　him　and　you　could　do　business　together。〃
　〃I　mean；〃　Ned　Beaumont　explained；　〃why　did　he　think　I'd　want　to　do　business　with　him？〃
　Whisky　made　a　disgusted　face。　〃Are　you　trying　to　kid　me；　Ned？〃　he　asked。
　〃No。〃
　〃Well；　for　the　love　of　Christ；　don't　you　think　everybody　in　town　knows　about　you　and　Paul　having　it　out　at　Pip　Carson's　yesterday？〃
　Ned　Beaumont　nodded。　〃So　that's　it；〃　he　said　softly；　as　if　to　himself。
　〃That's　it；〃　the　man　with　the　rasping　voice　assured　him；　〃and　Shad　happens　to　know　you　fell　out　over　thinking　Paul　hadn't　ought　to've　had　Shad's　joints　smeared。　So　you're　sitting　pretty　with　Shad　now　if　you　use　your　head。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　said　thoughtfully：　〃I　don't　know。　I'd　like　to　get　out　of　here；　get　back　to　the　big　city。〃
　〃Use　your　head；〃　Whisky　rasped。　〃The　big　city'll　still　be　there　after　election。　Stick　around。　You　know　Shad's　dough…heavy　and's　putting　it　out　in　chunks　to　beat　Madvig。　Stick　around　and　get　yourself　a　slice　of　it。〃
　〃Well；〃　Ned　Beaumont　said　slowly；　〃it　wouldn't　hurt　to　talk　it　over　with　him。〃
　〃You're　damned　right　it　wouldn't；〃　Whisky　said　heartily。　〃Pin　your　diapers　on　and　we'll　go　now。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　said；　〃Right；〃　and　got　out　of　bed。
　
　
　2
　
　Shad　O'Rory　rose　and　bowed。　〃Glad　to　see　you；　Beaumont；〃　he　said。　〃Drop　your　hat　and　coat　anywhere。〃　He　did　not　offer　to　shake　hands。
　Ned　Beaumont　said；　〃Good　morning；〃　and　began　to　take　off　his　overcoat。
　Whisky；　in　the　doorway；　said：　〃Well；　I'll　be　seeing　you　guys　later。〃
　O'Rory　said；　〃Yes；　do；〃　and　Whisky；　drawing　the　door　shut　as　he　backed　out；　left　them。
　Ned　Beaumont　dropped　his　overcoat　on　the　arm　of　a　sofa；　put　his　hat　on　the　overcoat；　and　sat　down　beside　them。　He　looked　without　curiosity　at　O'Rory。
　O'Rory　had　returned　to　his　chair；　a　deeply　padded　squat　affair　of　dull　wine　and　gold。　He　crossed　his　knees　and　put　his　hands　togethertips　of　fingers　and　thumbs　touchingatop　his　uppermost　knee。　He　let　his　finely　sculptured　head　sink　down　towards　his　chest　so　that　his　grey…blue　eyes　looked　upward　under　his　brows　at　Ned　Beaumont。　He　said；　in　his　pleasantly　modulated　Irish　voice：　〃I　owe　you　something　for　trying　to　talk　Paul　out　of〃
　〃You　don't；〃　Ned　Beaumont　said。
　O'Rory　asked：　〃I　don't？〃
　〃No。　I　was　with　him　then。　What　I　told　him　was　for　his　own　good。　I　thought　he　was　making　a　bad　play。〃
　O'Rory　smiled　gently。　〃And　he'll　know　it　before　he's　through；〃　he　said。
　Silence　was　between　them　awhile　then。　O'Rory　sat　half…buried　in　his　chair　smiling　at　Ned　Beaumont。　Ned　Beaumont　sat　on　the　sofa　looking；　with　eves　that　gave　no　indication　of　what　he　thought；　at　O'Rory。
　The　silence　was　broken　by　O'Rory　asking：　〃How　much　did　Whisky　tell　you？〃
　〃Nothing。　He　said　you　wanted　to　see　me。〃
　〃He　was　right　enough　as　far　as　he　went；〃　O'Rory　said。　He　took　his　finger…tips　apart　and　patted　the　back　of　one　slender　hand　with　the　palm　of　the　other。　〃Is　it　so　that　you　and　Paul　have　broken　for　good　and　all？〃
　〃I　thought　you　knew　it；〃　Ned　Beaumont　replied。　〃I　thought　that's　why　you　sent　for　me。〃
　〃I　heard　it；〃　O'Rory　said；　〃but　that's　not　always　the　same　thing。　What　were　you　thinking　you　might　do　now？〃
　〃There's　a　ticket　for　New　York　in　my　pocket　and　my　clothes　are　packed。〃
　O'Rory　raised　a　hand　and　smoothed　his　sleek　white　hair。　〃You　came　here　from　New　York；　didn't　you？〃
　〃I　never　told　anybody　where　I　came　from。〃
　O'Rory　took　his　hand　from　his　hair　and　made　a　small　gesture　of　protestation。　〃You　don't　think　I'm　one　to　give　a　damn　where　any　man　es　from；　do　you？〃　he　asked。
　Ned　Beaumont　did　not　say　anything。
　The　white…haired　man　said：　〃But　I　do　care　about　where　you　go　and　if　I　have　my　way　as　much　as　I'd　like　you　won't　be　going　off　to　New　York　yet　awhile。　Did　you　never　happen　to　think　that　maybe　you　could　still　do　yourself　a　lot　of　good　right　here？〃
　〃No；〃　Ned　Beaumont　said；　〃that　is；　not　till　Whisky　came。〃
　〃And　what　do　you　think　now？〃
　〃I　don't　know　anything　about　it。　I'm　waiting　to　hear　what　you've　got　to　say。〃
　O'Rory　put　his　hand　to　his　hair　again。　His　blue…grey　eyes　were　friendly　and　shrewd。　He　asked：　〃How　long　have　you　been　here？〃
　〃Fifteen　months。〃
　〃And　you　and　Paul　have　been　close　as　a　couple　of　fingers　how　long？〃
　〃Year。〃
　O'Rory　nodded。　〃And　you　ought　to　know　a　lot　of　things　about　him；〃　he　said。
　〃I　do。〃
　O'Rory　said：　〃You　ought　to　know　a　lot　of　things　I　could　use。〃　Ned　Beaumont　said　evenly：　〃Make　your　proposition。〃　O'Rory　got　up　from　the　depths　of　his　chair　and　went　to　a　door　opposite　the　one　through　which　Ned　Beaumont　had　e。　When　he　opened　the　door　a　huge　English　bulldog　waddled　in。　O'Rory　went　back　to　his　chair。　The　dog　lay　on　the　rug　in　front　of　the　wine　and　gold　chair　staring　with　morose　eyes　up　at　its　master。
　O'Rory　said：　〃One　thing　I　can　offer　you　is　a　chance　to　pay　Paul　back　plenty。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　said：　〃That's　nothing　to　me。〃
　〃it　is　not？〃
　〃Far　as　I'm　concerned　we're　quits。〃
　O'Rory　raised　his　head。　He　asked　softly：　〃And　you　wouldn't　want　to　do　anything　to　hurt　him？〃
　〃I　didn't　say　that；〃　Ned　Beaumont　replied　a　bit　irritably。　〃I　don't　mind　hurting　him；　but　I　can　do　it　any　time　I　want　to　on　my　own　account　and　I　don't　want　you　to　think　you're　giving　me　anything　when　you　give　me　a　chance　to。〃
　O'Rory　wagged　his　head　up　and　down；　pleasantly。　〃Suits　me；〃　he　said；　〃so　he's　hurt。　Why　did　he　bump　off　young　Henry？〃
　Ned　Beaumont　laughed。　〃Take　it　easy；〃　he　said。　〃You　haven't　made　your　proposition　yet。　That's　a　nice　pooch。　How　old　is　he？〃
　〃Just　about　the　limit；　seven。〃　O'Rory　put　out　a　foot　and　rubbed　the　dog's　nose　with　the　tip　of　it。　The　dog　moved　its　tail　sluggishly。　〃How'　does　this　hit　you？　After　election　I'll　stake　you　to　the　finest　gambling…house　this　state's　ever　seen　and　let　you　run　it　to　suit　yourself　with　all　the　protection　you　ever　heard　of。〃
　〃That's　an　if　offer；〃　Ned　Beaumont　said　in　a　somewhat　bored　manner；　〃if　you　win。　Anyhow；　I'm　not　sure　I　want　to　stay　here　after　election；　or　even　that　long。〃
　O'Rory　stopped　rubbing　the　dog's　nose　with　his　shoe…tip。　He　looked　up　at　Ned　Beaumont　again；　smiled　dreamily；　and　asked：　〃Don't　you　think　we're　going　to　win　the　election？〃
　Ned　Beaumont　smiled。　〃You　won't　bet　even　money　on　it。〃
　O'Rory；　still　smiling　dreamily；　asked　another　question：　〃You're　not　so　God…damned　hot　for　putting　in　with　me；　are　you；　Beaumont？〃
　〃No。〃　Ned　Beaumont　rose　and　picked　up　his　hat。　〃It　wasn't　any　idea　of　mine。〃　His　voice　was　casual；　his　face　politely　expressionless。　〃I　told　Whisky　it'd　just　be　wasting　time。〃　He　reached　for　his　overcoat。
　The　white…haired　man　said：　〃Sit　down。　We　can　still　talk；　can't　we？　And　maybe　we'll　get　somewhere　before　we're　through。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　hesitated；　mo