the efficiency expert-第10章

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〃There　must　be　something　wrong　with　him；〃　rejoined　Elizabeth；　〃probably　utterly　inefficient。〃

〃Or　he　may　have　some　vice；〃　suggested　Harriet。

〃He　doesn't　look　it；〃　said　Elizabeth。　　〃He　looks　too　utterly　healthy　for　that。　We've　seen　some　of　these　drug　addicts　in　our　own　set；　as　you　may　readily　recall。　No；　I　shouldn't　say　that　he　was　that。〃

〃I　suppose　the　poor　fellow　has　never　had　an　opportunity；〃　said　Harriet。　〃He　has　a　good　face；　his　eyes　and　forehead　indicate　intelligence；　and　his　jaw　is　strong　and　aggressive。　Probably；　though；　he　was　raised　in　poverty　and　knows　nothing　better　than　what　he　is　doing　now。　It　is　too　bad　that　some　of　these　poor　creatures　couldn't　have　the　advantages　of　higher　education。〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Elizabeth；　〃it　is　too　bad。　　Take　a　man　like　that；　with　a　college　education　he　could　attain　almost　any　decree　of　success　he　chose。〃

〃He　certainly　could；〃　agreed　Harriet；　and　then　suddenly：　〃Why；　what's　the　matter；　Elizabeth？　Your　face　is　perfectly　scarlet。〃

The　other　girl　tapped　the　floor　with　the　toe　of　one　boot　impatiently。

〃That　horrid　creature　at　the　next　table　just　winked　at　me；〃　she　said　disgustedly。

Harriet　looked　about　in　the　direction　her　companion　had　indicated；　to　see　a　large；　overdressed　man　staring　at　them。　There　was　a　smirk　on　his　face；　and　as　Harriet　caught　his　eye　she　saw　him　rise　and；　to　her　horror；　realized　that　he　was　advancing　toward　their　table。

He　stopped　in　front　of　them　with　his　huge　hands　resting　on　the　edge　of　their　table　and　looked　down　at　Elizabeth。

〃Hello；　kiddo！〃　he　said。　　〃What　are　you　going　to　drink？〃

Elizabeth　gave　the　man　one　look　such　as　would　utterly　have　frozen　a　male　from　her　own　stratum　of　society；　but　it　had　as　little　effect　upon　Steve　Murray's　self…assurance　as　the　cork　from　a　popgun　would　have　on　the　armored　sides　of　a　rhinoceros。

〃All　right；〃　said　the　man；　〃what's　the　use　of　asking？　　There's　only　one　thing　when　Steve　Murray　buys。　Here；　waiter；〃　he　yelled；　pounding　on　the　table。　The　nearest　waiter；　who　chanced　not　to　be　Jimmy；　who　was　then　in　the　kitchen；　came　hurriedly　forward。　〃Open　up　some　wine；〃　commanded　Murray。　〃Come　on；　boys！　Bring　your　chairs　over　here；〃　he　continued；　addressing　his　companions；　〃let's　have　a　little　party。〃

Elizabeth　Compton　rose。

〃You　will　oblige　me；〃　she　said；　〃by　leaving　our　table。〃

Steve　Murray　laughed　uproariously。　　He　had　dropped　into　a　chair　next　to　hers。

〃That's　great！〃　he　cried。　〃I　guess　you　don't　know　who　I　am；　kiddo。　　You　won't　cop　off　anything　better　in　this　joint　than　Steve　Murray。　Come　onlet's　be　friends。　That's　a　good　girl；〃　and　before　Elizabeth　realized　the　man's　intentions　he　had　seized　her　wrist　and　pulled　her　down　into　his　lap。

It　was　this　scene　that　broke　upon　Jimmy's　view　as　he　emerged　from　the　kitchen　with　a　laden　tray。　He　saw　Steve　Murray　seize　the　girl；　and　he　saw　her　struggling　to　free　herself；　and　then　there　was　a　mighty　crash　as　Jimmy　dropped　the　tray　of　steaming　food　upon　the　floor　and　ran　quickly　forward。

Murray　was　endeavoring　to　draw　the　girl's　lips　to　his　as　Jimmy's　hand　shot　between　their　faces　and　pushed　that　of　the　man　away。　With　his　free　arm　he　encircled　the　girl's　body　and　attempted　to　draw　her　from　her　assailant。

〃Cut　it；　Murray！〃　he　commanded　in　a　low　tone　of　voice。　　〃She　isn't　your　sort。〃

〃Who　the　hell　are　you？〃　cried　the　labor　leader；　releasing　the　girl　and　rising　to　his　feet。　〃Get　the　hell　out　of　here；　you　dirty　hash…slinger！　Any　girl　in　this　place　belongs　to　me　if　I　want　her。　There　don't　only　one　kind　come　in　here　without　an　escort；　or　with　one；　either；　for　that　matter。　You　get　back　on　your　job；　where　you　belong；〃　and　the　man　pressed　forward　trying　to　push　Jimmy　aside　and　lay　hands　on　Elizabeth　again。

Jimmy　did　not　strike　him　then。　　He　merely　placed　the　palm　of　one　hand　against　the　man's　breast　and　pushed　him　backward；　but　with　such　force　that；　striking　a　chair；　Steve　Murray　fell　backward　and　sprawled　upon　the　floor。　Scrambling　to　his　feet；　he　rushed　Jimmy　like　a　mad　bull。

In　his　younger　days　Murray　had　been　a　boiler…maker；　and　he　still　retained　most　of　his　great　strength。　He　was　a　veritable　mountain　of　a　man；　and　now　in　the　throes　of　a　berserker　rage　he　was　a　formidable　opponent。　His　face　was　white　and　his　lips　were　drawn　back　tightly；　exposing　his　teeth　in　a　bestial　snarl　as　he　charged　at　Jimmy。　His　great　arms　and　huge　hands　beat　to　the　right　and　left　like　enormous　flails；　one　blow　from　which　might　seemingly　have　felled　an　ox。

Torrance　had　stood　for　a　moment　with　an　arm　still　around　the　girl；　but　as　Murray　rose　to　his　feet　he　pushed　her　gently　behind　him；　and　then　as　the　man　was　upon　him　Jimmy　ducked　easily　under　the　other's　clumsy　left　and　swung　a　heavy　right　hook　to　his　jaw。　As　Murray　staggered　to　the　impact　of　the　blow　Jimmy　reached　him　again　quickly　and　easily　with　a　left　to　the　nose；　from　which　a　crimson　burst　spattered　over　the　waiter　and　his　victim。　Murray　went　backward　and　would　have　fallen　but　for　the　fact　he　came　in　contact　with　one　of　his　friends；　and　then　he　was　at　Jimmy　again。

By　this　time　waiters　and　patrons　were　crowding　forward　from　all　parts　of　the　room；　and　Feinheimer；　shrieking　at　the　top　of　his　voice；　was　endeavoring　to　worm　his　fat；　toadlike　body　through　the　cordon　of　excited　spectators。　The　proprietor　reached　the　scene　of　carnage　just　in　time　to　see　Jimmy　plant　a　lovely　left　on　the　point　of　Murray's　jaw。

The　big　man　tottered　drunkenly　for　an　instant；　his　knees　sagged；　and；　as　Jimmy　stood　in　readiness　for　any　eventuality；　the　other　crashed　heavily　to　the　floor。

Towering　above　the　others　in　the　room　suddenly　came　a　big　young　fellow　shouldering　his　way　through　the　crowd；　a　young　man　in　the　uniform　of　a　chauffeur。　Elizabeth　saw　him　before　he　discovered　her。

〃Oh　David！〃　she　cried。　　〃Quick！　Quick！　Take　us　out　of　here！〃

As　the　chauffeur　reached　her　side　and　took　in　the　scene　he　jerked　his　head　toward　Jimmy。　〃Did　any　one　hurt　you　miss？〃

〃No；　no！〃　she　cried。　　〃This　man　was　very　kind。　　Just　get　us　out　of　here；　David；　as　quickly　as　you　can。〃　And；　turning　to　Jimmy：　〃How　can　I　ever　repay　you？　If　it　hadn't　been　for　youoh；　I　hate　to　think　what　would　have　happened。　Come　out　to　the　car　and　give　David　your　name　and　address；　and　I　will　send　you　something　tomorrow。〃

〃Oh；　that's　all　right；〃　said　Jimmy。　　〃You　just　get　out　of　here　as　quick　as　you　can。　If　the　police　happened　to　look　in　now　you　might　be　held　as　a　witness。〃

〃How　utterly　horrible！〃　exclaimed　Elizabeth。　　〃Come；　David！　Come；　Harriet！〃　David　making　a　way　for　her；　she　started　for　the　door。

Harriet　paused　long　enough　to　extend　her　band　to　Jimmy。　　〃It　was　wonderfully　brave　of　you；〃　she　said。　〃We　could　never　do　enough　to　repay　you。　My　name　is　Harriet　Holden；〃　and　she　gave　him　an　address　on　Lake　Shore　Drive。　〃If　you　will　come　Monday　morning　about　ten　o'clock；〃　she　said；　〃I　am　sure　that　there　is　something　we　can　do　for　you。　If　you　want　a　better　position；〃　she　half　suggested；　〃I　know　my　father　could　help；　although　he　must　never　know　about　this　to…night。〃

〃Thanks；〃　said　Jimmy；　smiling。　　〃It's　awfully　good　of　you；　but　you　must　hurry　now。　There　goes　your　friend。〃

Feinheimer　stood　as　one　dazed；　looking　down　at　the　bulk　of　his　friend　and　associate。

〃Mein　Gott！〃　he　cried。　〃What　kind　of　a　place　you　think　I　run；　young　man？〃　He　turned　angrily　on　Jimmy。　〃What　you　think　I　hire　you　for？　To　beat　up　my　best　customer？〃

〃He　got　what　was　coming　to　him；〃　said　a　soft　feminine　voice　at　Jimmy's　elbow。　The　man　looked　to　see　Little　Eva　standing　at　his　side。　〃I　didn't　think　anybody　could　do　that　to　Murray；〃　she　continued。　〃Lord；　but　it　was　pretty。　He's　had　it　coming　to　him　ever　since　I've　known　him；　but　the　big　stiff　had　everybody　around　this　joint　buffaloed。　He　got　away　with　anything　he　started。〃

Feinheimer　looked　at　Little　Eva　disgustedly。

〃He's　my　best　customer；〃　he　cried；　〃and　a　bum　waiter　comes　along　and　beats　him　up　just　when　he　is　trying　to　have　a　little　innocent　sport　on　Christmas　Eve。　You　take　off　your　apron；　young　man；　and　get　your　time。　I　won't　have　no　rough　stuff　in　Feinheimer's。〃

Jimmy　shrugged　his　shoulders　and　grinned。

〃Shouldn't　I　wait　to　see　if　I　can't　do　something　more　for　Mr。　Murray？〃　he　suggested。

〃You　get　out　of　here！〃　cried　Feinheimer　〃Get　out　of　here　or　I'll　call　the　police。〃

Jimmy　laughed　and　took　off　his　apron　　as　he　walked　back　to　the　servants'　coat…room。　As　he　emerged　again　and　crossed　through；　the　dining…room　he　saw　that　Murray　had　regained　consciousness　and　was　sitting　at　a　table　wiping　the　blood　from　his　face　with　a　wet　napkin。　As　Murray's　eyes　fell　upon　his　late　antagonist　he　half　rose　from　his　chair　and　shook　his　fist　at　Jimmy。

〃I'II　get　you　for　this；　young　feller！〃　he　yelled。　　〃I'll　get　you　yet；　and　don't　you　forget　it。〃

〃You　just　had　me；〃　Jimmy　called　back；　〃but　it　didn't　seem　to　make　you　very　happy。〃

He　could　still　hear　Murray　fuming　and　cursing　as　he　passed　out　into　the　barroom；　at　the　front　of　which　was　Feinheimer's　office。




CHAPTER　XII。

UP　OR　DOWN？

After　Jimmy　had　received　his　check　and　was　about　to　leave；　a　couple　of　men　approached　him。

〃We　seen　that　little　mix…up　in　there；〃　said　one　of　them。　　〃You　handle　your　mitts　like　you　been　there　before。〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Jimmy；　smiling；　〃I've　had　a　little　experience　in　the　manly　art　of　self…defense。〃

The　two　men　were　sizing　him　up。

〃Feinheimer　can　you？〃　asked　one　of　them。　　Jimmy　nodded　affirmatively。　　〃Got　anything　else　in　view？〃

〃No；〃　said　Jimmy。

〃How'd　you　like　a　job　as　one　of　Brophy's　sparring　partners？〃

〃I　wouldn't　mind；〃　said　Jimmy。　　〃What　is　there　in　it？〃

They　named　a　figure　that　was　entirely　satisfactory　to　Jimmy。

〃Come　over　the　day　after　Christmas；〃　he　was　told；　〃and　we'll　give　you　a　trial。〃

〃I　wonder；〃　thought　Jimmy　as　he　started　for　home；　〃if　I　have　gone　up　a　notch　in　the　social　scale　or　down　a　notch？　From　the　view…point　of　the　underworld　a　pug　occupies　a　more　exalted　position　than　a　waiter；　but　oh；　well；　a　job's　a　job；　and　at　least　I　won't　have　to　look　at　that　greasy　Feinheimer　all　day。〃

At　ten　o'clock　Monday　Jimmy　was　at　Young　Brophy's　training　quarters；　for；　although　he　had　not　forgotten　Harriet　Holden's　invitation；　he　had　never　seriously　considered　availing　himself　of　her　offer　to　help　him　to　a　better　position。　While　he　had　not　found　it　difficult　to　accept　the　rough　friendship　and　assistance　of　the　Lizard；　the　idea　of　becoming　an　object　of　〃charity；〃　as　he　considered　it；　at　the　hands　of　a　girl　in　the　same　walk　of　life　as　that　to　which　he　belonged　was　intolerable。

Young　Brophy's　manager；　whom　Jimmy　discovered　to　be　one　of　the　men　who　had　accosted　him　in　Feinheimer's　after　his　trouble　with　Murray；　took　him　into　a　private　office　and　talked　with　him　confidentially　for　a　half…hour　before　he　was　definitely　employed。

It　seemed　that　one　of　the　principal　requisites　of　the　position　was　a　willingness　to　take　punishment　without　attempting　to　inflict　too　much　upon　Young　Brophy。　The　manager　did　not　go　into　specific　details　as　to　the　reason　for　this　restriction；　and　Jimmy；　badly　in　need　of　a　job；　felt　no　particular　inclination　to　search　too　deeply　for　the　root　of　the　matter。

〃What　I　don't　know；〃　he　soliloquized；　〃won't　hurt　me　any。〃　But　he　had　not　been　there　many　days　before　the　piecing　together　of　chance　remarks　and　the　gossip　of　the　hange