登陆注册
26199800000007

第7章

"I'm not thinking of you at all," said Ashton."You're a nice little fellow all right, but you have sized me up wrong.I am on the 'straight and narrow' that leads back to little old New York and God's country, and I am warranted not to run off my trolley."The words were in the vernacular, but the tone in which the young man spoke rang so confidently that it brought to Ford a pleasant thrill of satisfaction.From the first he had found in the personality of the young man something winning and likable; a shrewd manliness and tolerant good-humor.His eyes may have shown his sympathy, for, in sudden confidence, Ashton leaned nearer.

"It's like this," he said."Several years ago I made a bad break and, about a year later, they got on to me and I had to cut and run.In a month the law of limitation lets me loose and I can go back.And you can bet I'm GOING back.I will be on the bowsprit of the first boat.I've had all I want of the 'fugitive-from-justice' game, thank you, and I have taken good care to keep a clean bill of health so that I won't have to play it again.

They've been trying to get me for several years--especially the Pinkertons.They have chased me all over Europe.Chased me with all kinds of men; sometimes with women; they've tried everything except blood-hounds.At first I thought YOU were a 'Pink,' that's why--""I!" interrupted Ford, exploding derisively."That's GOOD! That's one on YOU." He ceased laughing and regarded Ashton kindly."How do you know I'm not?" he asked.

For an instant the face of the bookmaker grew a shade less red and his eyes searched those of Ford in a quick agony of suspicion.

Ford continued to smile steadily at him, and Ashton breathed with relief.

"I'll take a chance with you," he said, "and if you are as bad a detective as you are a sport I needn't worry."They both laughed, and, with sudden mutual liking, each raised his glass and nodded.

"But they haven't got me yet," continued Ashton, "and unless they get me in the next thirty days I'm free.So you needn't think that I'll help you.It's 'never again' for me.The first time, that was the fault of the crowd I ran with; the second time, that would be MY fault.And there ain't going to be any second time."He shook his head doggedly, and with squared shoulders leaned back in his chair.

"If it only breaks right for me," he declared, "I'll settle down in one of those 'Own-your own-homes,' forty-five minutes from Broadway, and never leave the wife and the baby."The words almost brought Ford to his feet.He had forgotten the wife and the baby.He endeavored to explain his surprise by a sudden assumption of incredulity.

"Fancy you married!" he exclaimed.

"Married!" protested Ashton."I'm married to the finest little lady that ever wore skirts, and in thirty-seven days I'll see her again.Thirty-seven days," he repeated impatiently."Gee! That's a hell of a long time!"Ford studied the young man with increased interest.That he was speaking sincerely, from the heart, there seemed no possible doubt.

Ashton frowned and his face clouded."I've not been able to treat her just right," he volunteered."If she wrote me, the letters might give them a clew, and I don't write HER because I don't want her to know all my troubles until they're over.But I know," he added, "that five minutes' talk will set it all right.That is, if she still feels about me the way I feel about her."The man crushed his cigar in his fingers and threw the pieces on the floor."That's what's been the worst!" he exclaimed bitterly.

"Not hearing, not knowing.It's been hell!"His eyes as he raised them were filled with suffering, deep and genuine.

Ford rose suddenly."Let's go down to the Savoy for supper," he said.

"Supper!" growled Ashton."What's the use of supper? Do you suppose cold chicken and a sardine can keep me from THINKING?"Ford placed his hand on the other's shoulder.

"You come with me," he said kindly."I'm going to do you a favor.

I'm going to bring you a piece of luck.Don't ask me any questions," he commanded hurriedly."Just take my word for it."They had sat so late over their cigars that when they reached the restaurant on the Embankment the supper-room was already partly filled, and the corridors and lounge were brilliantly lit and gay with well-dressed women.Ashton regarded the scene with gloomy eyes.Since he had spoken of his wife he had remained silent, chewing savagely on a fresh cigar.But Ford was grandly excited.

He did not know exactly what he intended to do.He was prepared to let events direct themselves, but of two things he was assured:

Mrs.Ashton loved her husband, and her husband loved her.As the god in the car who was to bring them together, he felt a delightful responsibility.

同类推荐
  • 甲申朝事小纪

    甲申朝事小纪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 重订广温热论

    重订广温热论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 佛母般泥洹经

    佛母般泥洹经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 戒庵老人漫笔

    戒庵老人漫笔

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 萤窗异草

    萤窗异草

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 酷宝之妈咪是我的女人

    酷宝之妈咪是我的女人

    因为父母的离异,母亲的贪婪,她寄住在他家;因为丑陋,他常欺负她。直到十八岁那年,丑小鸭变成了白天鹅。他的残忍,迫使她带球逃跑,来到了一个陌生的国家,生下了那个天才宝宝。情节一:“别让我恨你,你夺去了我的一切,你还想怎样?是不是连我的人生,你也要夺去!”他残忍的一笑,冷冷的一句话足以让她的心碎一地。情节二:“雨馨,让我照顾你一辈子好吗?”她淡然一笑,嘴里嚷出来的话语使他的心再次流血。情节三:“妈咪是我的女人,谁都不许抢走!”酷宝的一句话,一个神态,都与他面前的男人一模一样。男人玩味的噙着抹笑,“那也是我的女人!”
  • 《清颜依旧》

    《清颜依旧》

    被人背叛怎么办?清颜的回答是:“杀,无赦!”被人算计怎么办?清颜的回答是:“斩,无饶。”被最亲近的人同时计算又背叛,那该怎么办?“哼,我杀不了手,狠不了心,那我逃还不行吗?”殊不知,这一切本就是天命。最后,究竟是谁伤了谁的心?亦或是,谁赢了谁?
  • 一夜风流

    一夜风流

    江湖第一艳公子百花宫宫主莫名失身了?此八卦流言一出,横扫江湖!传闻百花宫宫主是个重口味的主子!更传闻百花宫神秘莫测,无人知晓其处!只是这色胆包天采花大盗究竟是何方神圣?啥竟然是爱哭鼻子的镖局小姐?江湖果然深不可测。
  • 极品男医

    极品男医

    好女神…来者不拒;好女王…大小通吃;好公主…胖瘦全收;好御姐…选择占有;好乙女…因人而推;好萝莉…只要极品。老子是现代“六好”青年——白正经
  • 乡下丫头小慧

    乡下丫头小慧

    《乡下丫头小慧》是作家吴万夫近年来微型小说的精品选集,收录60篇作品,内容涉及都市情感、婚恋爱情、官场浮沉、乡村民风,以及底层百姓的日常情态。作者文笔老辣、流畅,故事既好读,又有深刻的内涵和意味。吴万夫是中国当代文坛实力派作家,无论是在中短篇故事创作领域,亦或是在微型小说创作上,均取得重大成绩,令人瞩目。该书所收作品全部在公开报刊发表过,有的或获奖,或被转载,或入选各种读本,或被翻译成外文介绍到国外。他的作品,使人们在阅读中,能够真实地检视历史与现实,回溯人生历程的坎坷与莫测,省察命运的遭际和悲喜。
  • 帝界之帝

    帝界之帝

    双帝之战,轮回转生,虚空之冰,轮回之意。双帝之战,冰帝转生,轮回之意出自己身,出至化凡,生至控天,入之轮回,成之帝界。生于忧患死于安乐,轮回之命,不为天意,乃是人心。出生便有虚空冰体的唐皓,是冰帝轮回之果,因果循环,因果逆转,轮回之后在踏皇境,掌控轮回,入至帝界。
  • 重生复仇之泪

    重生复仇之泪

    关于重生的文,新人的书,请支持一下,谢谢谢谢啊
  • 断情崖边请回首

    断情崖边请回首

    夕阳红艳,枫叶漫天,断情崖边,舍却一切只为换回决绝的红颜。
  • 神明之王

    神明之王

    通脉,锻体,炼魂,转涅槃,渡生死,夺造化,成就无上神明。一名采药小童自山中走出,闯入那缤纷世界。
  • 轮回的爱:冰山校草请留步

    轮回的爱:冰山校草请留步

    她数着日子在国外度过漫长的一年,盼望着早日见到心爱的他,不料刚到家就看要意外的一幕.......“我不会原谅你,永远不会!”本想夺门而出,却不料意外发生,是生是死,命悬一线!