Show f “Gambling game?” she repeated scornfully “No a prize fight And you’re Jake McGee and you’re going to meet Alf Orme for a purse of four ’I' THE QUEST OF GENTLE HAZARD Being the Adventures in Love and Chivalry $P Lord Richard Jocelyn 0 0 By H M EGBERT (Copyright V by W O Chapman) “Why It’s all dark” she said peer“Alt isn’t ing Into the vestibule home yet Mister Jostling I don’t want to send you away empty — would a like wine before you you glass of go?” “I should Immensely” answered Lord Jocelyn wondering who Alf might be and what relationship he bore to Miss Murray “Then you shall have one” the girl answered leading the way into a dark parlor and lighting a gas jet She produced wine and glasses from a cupboard and filled them “Here’s to— to— ” she said laughing “To our meeting at the police court tomorrow morning" answered Lord Jocelyn draining bis glass and round at the but rather gaudy room The next moment they heard the sound of a key in the lock of the front door Its effect upon the girl was electrical She set down her glass with trembling hands and looked round her In terror “O what shall I do? "It’s What will you say ?” she gasped Alf and he’ll kill you He’ll kill you Mr hldel AnyJostling Quick where 1" But before Jocelyn could even look round for a refuge a man heavily built and having unmistakably the came appearance of a At the sight striding Into the room of Jocelyn his brows contracted Into a scowl and he clenched his fists menacingly "Who— who the devil —" he began “It’s Jake Jake McGee” cried the at Jocelyn looking girl desperately sidewise t Tbe man’s brow cleared as If by He and clenched stibde forward magic Jocelyn’s hands In a grip that nearly crushed them “I’m glad as thunder to meet you Mr McGee” he said “How did you find the house?” “He got the address from Barney” said the girl promptly "He Just came In a second before you did" “Just In from Chicago eh?” “Last night" said the young woman promptly "You know we’ve changed the meeting place?” said the man turning to “It’s ticklish work but I Jocelyn thick we’ve outwitted the cops for once But If you hadn’t struck Barney why I don’t know how we’d have got word to you The inspector swears it won’t be pulled off — but he doesn’t know we’ve got Bill’s stable on He ' Lord Jocelyn had yawned chosen an unsuitable locality for thU relaxation being In fact upon the curb at the northeast corner of street and Broadway at eight ’clock In the evening and in pausing to give vent to his feelings he narrowly escaped being run down by a taxicab which skidded past the wheel not 13ut the truth is he five Inches away was horribly bored He had not met with an adventure worth speaking of for several days and had decided to return home to his apartments on Madison avenue play a game of solitaire and go to bed He had already arrived at this admirable decision when his attention was attracted toward a young woman f remarkable beauty who went hurryhe turned— Instinctively ing past ot of course with any design of addressing her or in any way molesting her but to follow her with his eyes vntil sho rounded the corner and was lost to view among the crowds of For beauty was to pper Broadway Lord Jocelyn a lodestar that attracted him irresistibly and the beauty of this particular young woman was as that of — a peach let us say among a basketful of nectarines And then an incident occurred which changed all his intentions and resolutions For as she was about to round the corner a flashily attired man whom Lord Jocelyn had observed hurrying after her caught up with her and planting himself in her some to made remark her path Lord Jocelyn felt his blood tingle Ho saw the girl shrink back saw the fellow pursue her with the evident intention of commencing a flirtation and strode through the crowd in hot anger an angel of avenging chivalry A doaen steps and he was at her side “is this fellow molesting you?’’ he asked dolling his hat The girl raised her eyes to his apLord Jocelyn swung round pealingly apon his heel and as the first words broke from the man’s mouth ho let drive bis fist with his full forco and caught him between the eyes The man fell like a log and striking his bead upon tho curb lay Before Jocelyn as though stunned could guide his protege the through a pocrowd that Instantly assembled He looked liceman was at his side street" “O that’s where It Is?" asked Joceat Jocelyn’s evening attire then at tho rough clothing of the fellow lyn feeling his way In the dark was slowly rewhose consciousness "Sure Didn’t Barney tell you? He must have been crazy You won’t turning No need to explain sir I saw the feel strange McGee you’ll seeing whole business” he said "GIddup and have to introduce yourself?" come” be added addressing the street “I suppose there was no other way” toafer "Station house for yours" Lord Jocelyn answered "Do you want mo to como with you Well let’s have & whisky and talk as a witness?” asked Jocelyn things over” said the man bringing ‘No need of that sir” answered the out more glasses and a bottle of "I’ll take your name and Scotch “Sit down You stay here policeman that of the lady’s and yotf can be at Lizzie you’re In on this deal Where the iefferson Market court at ten to- did you get that English accent morrow morning” ' " friend?” "K "My name’s Jocelyn” said the “I’ve Just come back from a six hero of the episode adding his months' visit to London" said Joce“And this lady is —” address the girl intently for lyn watching 462 some cue "Miss Murray — Clara Murray t West street" said the The other poked him in the ribs lady promptly "Quit Joshing and come to business” noted down these he said The policeman “You’ve bin back a whole facts In his pccketbook keeping one year now and you’ve had time to get yw warily upon the ruffian who was rid of it Honest McGee you mean wow rising to his feet and looking business don’t you? I’d hate like round him with a dazed expression thunder to hurt you and I’m In the He snapped the bo6k shut and jerked pink of form” he added frowning at Aim to hJs feet Then the man his huge wrists seemed suddenly fio realize his pre“I certainly do mean business" an dicament swered Lord Jocelyn “Lcmme go!” ho sbouted struggling “Then don’t try any monkey games “I goiter speak In his captor’s grasp or it’ll be the worse for you It’s a to tho lady I will speak to her — ” couple of thousand apiece share and Ho fought himself free and with share alike and you’re to drop In the Wow of surprising force sent the po- third" latThe liceman reeling backward “So I understand’' answered Lord ter recovering hi3 balance drew bis Jocelyn still without a glimmer of unclub and brought it down with his full force upon the man’s head For derstanding “Then here’s luck to both of us” the second time ho dropped answered the man'becomlng suddenly Meanwhilo catching tho young hilarious “Barney said I was a fool woman by tho arm Lord Jocelyn to do itsaid I could whip you easy forced his way through the crowd to a and take the whole amount and from street car which they boarded the looks of you I guess he’s right "You must let mo see you to your but Alf Orme never went back on a t homo" ho Insisted deal yet and he ain’t going to begin street is not far out of my way Miss Here’s how!" And he drained his Hurray" glaca an example which Jocelyn folShe turned on him a look of Intense lowed Theh he rose to his feet ‘Then she faltered: scrutiny “I’ll have to be going" he said apI gavo that ad"I don’t live thero that Orme might attempt prehensive orers to tho policeman but I live In to detain him But to his surprise tbe t street And here’s where latter agreed wc get off” she continued a moment “Best thing you can do" he anInter "Turn In and get a good swered And when they wore on terra flrma And remember Jake night’s sleep again she added: to the minute at the “And here Is where wo part Ur— stable and go In through the back of Jostling tbe Baloon on the other side of the “But I must block” Lord Jocelyn bowed on at least Insist being permitted to He shook him by the hand but this you to your door" he proaccompany time Lord Jocelyn was prepared and tested “Really the streets are not returned the grip hard enough to cafe for you— op account of your at- make Alf Orme wince As he passed tractions” he was going to add but out of the door the woman followed was too him decided that the acquaintance an abort to permit of such expression “You’ll be there?” she whispered In She hesitated for an instant "Well an agitated voice “You won’t go como along then” she Bald finally back on me?” “Not If you wish” answered Lord and led the way along a deserted house more mystified street to a small than ever Jocelyn from her wrist hag she “What is it?” he added “A gambling Drawing a slocked the door game?’ a r ky live?” asked the magistrate turning suspicious gaze on Jocelyn "Your honor I never saw her In my life before last evening” he answered “And the prisoner don’t live at the address be gave neither” the policeman continued “Well what have you to say?” the magistrate asked the prisoner who had been scowling at Jocelyn vindictively “Why did you stop that wom- you don’t look as if you’d done much work with them mitts” he added looking with disapproval at Jocelyn’s hands thousand dollars" "He’ll do” said Barney "Jake’s Lord Jocelyn felt decidedly foolish the dude all right How’s the house?” at that moment "Fine” said the manager “Full up "But— won’t they know I’m not and no standing room Ready boys? he faltered Time gentles— in with you" "Not on your life It’s your first arose lightly out of his Jocelyn visit to town and you were unknown chair and followed Orme Into a large until you beat the Blarney Kid In Chi- an?" clrcularfitable already hazy with tocago last month and made a reputa“I wanted to talk to the lady” he bacco smoke through which he could tion Nobody here baa seen you and answered sullenly “I knew her an' dimly descry row upon row of heads the thing’s 'got to be kept mute as the I wanted to talk business” he surrounding the dais on which grave because the police have got “Then you will tell ub where she Is trod’ Men were shouting and yelling wind of It' Say” she continued to be found” to him and his opponent from behind “That's what I wanted to ask her” the ropes grasping him by the arm "you won’t throw me down? Heavens If Alf the prisoner shouted excitedly “It’s "Remember" whispered Barney In learns you aren’t McGee he'll kill me an outrage to knock me down and his ear “you fall In the third" sure” club me “Unless he falls in the tenth” said Why I could settle both "But what’ll I do If the real McGee them guys with one hand tied I—” Jocelyn laughing turns up?” He broke ' off and turned a glance Barney stared at him then nudged "He may not learn that the place upon Jocelyn in which hatred and him in the ribs “Go ’long with you has been changed We’ve got to take fury were equally combined kid” he said "See here you’ll play chances If he comes bluff it out At “Three days in the workhouse" fair? The boys would kill you if you the worst you’ll clear me all right If said the magistrate “Next case” And didn’t Bo" Alf’ll think I was the man was hustled away growling only you show up “I certainly shall" Bald Jocelyn deceived like him But you’ve got to and shaking his fists at Jocelyn vin- and a moment later he found himself be there' Promise me?" dictively Alf Orme across the ring confronting “I promise” answered Jocelyn solThis part of his duty concluded “Time boys” shouted the manager emnly and he passed out of the house Lord Jocelyn walked out of the court- dancing around inside the ppes and took a taxicab home Then since room moodily This was only an in- Jocelyn advanced to meet his adverhis mind was in a whirl and he had cident the hardest part would fall to sary felt his hand grasped and 'an to meet Alf Orme upon the morrow his lot that evening A dozen times instant later went staggering back he went to bed and was soon wrapped the plan flashed through his ipind not under a violent body blow which proin dreams to go hut he dismissed It on each oc- pelled him against the ropes As he He awoke at nine o’clock but for casion as an unworthy one If he did hung over them for an Instant he several moments he could not quite not appear Orme’s suspicions against heard yells of delight from the crowd recall what bad happened on the prehis wife would be reawakened with “That’s sharp practice" he muttered Then as memory what consequences he could not fore- setting his teeth angrily and ducked ceding evening slowly came back to him he sat on see But It was better that he should a knockout Just in time to escape the edge of his couch and groaned continue with his deceptions now than blow which Orme aimed at his jaw "First I’ve got to give evidence In prove perhaps the Innocent cause of He dodged under Orme’s arm and rethe police court” he muttered “And a tragedy gained the center of the ring where then I’ve got to fight for four thou"I wish the silly business were he parried several more ylclous sand dollars and run the risk of be- over” be growled as be entered his thrusts until his breath came back ing half killed as a ‘faker’ even if I apartment to him Then the round ended and don’t give myself away” He felt the “Pardon me sir— a letter" said Tahe was led back to his seat muscles of his arms and took several “Ye’ll have to show more fight” lbot banding him a missive on a salImaginary punches at the air At col- - ver Lord Jocelyn took it and broke whispered Barney “or they’ll think a I declare Jake McGee “Ten pause the winner” And Jocelyn standing In the oenter of tbe ring was suddenly overwho burst whelmed by his admirers through the ropes and crowded round “Good boy Jake bully for you" him “You got him good they shouted Three cheers for Jaky McGee” Jocelyn forced his way through to the dressing room sponged himself and began to put on his clothes His second seemed to have deserted him But as be was completing his toilet the manager came up looking black as thunder and flung a purse Into Lord Jocelyn’s lap "Here’s your money” he growled "If you got what was coming to you — ” Lord Jocelyn looked at him inquiringly “Anything wroiig?” he asked “Anything wrong?” the manager “0 no echoed I’m only ruined that’s all and serves me right Ask Barney here” Barney white as a sheet came up to him and shook his fist in his face “You damned cur” he howled almost weeping with rage “To sell us all out like that! To sell us out — and Alf untrained and as true a man as ever breathed You got to face Mrs Orme before you quit you loafer If you’re ready you can git and let me tell you days are over” too astounded by this tiJocelyn rade to answer stepped through the door — Into the arms of Mrs Orme “So this is bow you keep your word to your friends Is it?” she sneered “Cheap way to make a little bit more Isn’t It? And Alf and me with the rent to pay and every coin gone through trusting you” “Madam” said Jocelyn “I am wholly at a loss to understand you' Do you suppose that I came here to fight for the pleasure of it or to oblige f you?” “You robber!" she hissed “Didn’t you know you were fixed to lose? Didn’t I heir Alf tell you himself and you say you’d play fair? And that was to have meant two thousand to us and Alf not to trouble to train and you’ve bin and trained and hogged the whole kitty” Then for the first time Jocelyn understood the meaning of Barney’s insinuations about the third round He drew the purs6 from his pocket Inside he found eight bills of the value of five hundred dollars apiece "Madam” he said “let me assure you that the whole thing was a misHe counted out four understanding” bills “Here 1b your share” he said and thrust them into her hand Then while she stood stared at him and at the bills alternately he made his way into the street eluding the mob that sought to follow him and made his way home That’ll keep me going for a few days” he said putting the remainder of his winnings away “And now for a game of solitaire before I go to bed” Jocelyn was so stiff the next day kept to his bed On the second he was limping around his room The unwonted exercise of tbe muscles disused for several years had painfully affected him and he was grateful enough to be able to prop himself up In his chair and play solitaire By the third evening however he was sufficiently recovered to think of taking a stroll and he bad Just found his cane and hat when there came a ring at his bell There’s a man wants to see you sir” said Talbot entering “Looks like a tramp Shall I say you’re not at home sir?” “Why I love tramps” answered Lord Jocelyn “Ask him in by all means” And presently there entered dirty unshaven scowling the man whom he had knocked down and seen sentenced to the that he lege Lord Jocelyn had been a famous boxer be was not really afraid of the battle though his chances of winning seemed infinitesimal Something else was troubling him but for a minute he could not discover what it was Then the recollection came to him and he groaned out loud “And she’s married” he cried In a voice that was half a sob “She’s Alf Orme’s wife” There came a tap at the door and the face of Talbot his servant ap“Did peared peering round the Jamb “I thought you call sir?” he asked I heard a sound” “No — yes” Lord Jocelyn answered "Talbot what would you do If you made an ass of yourself for a girl and then found that she was somebody else’s wife?” "I’d clear out sir” answered Talbot “There was a young woman as lived down Epsom way — ” “Drat your young woman Talbot can’t clear out The police have my address" "Then sir I’d see the thing through” said Talbot sagely “You’re right by George" his master answered "Talbot my dressing I’ve got to he And look alive gown bathed and dressed in 30 minutes” “Which you shall be sir” Talbot replied — and proved his contention But the young woman was not at the police court The case came on at eleven and her aggressor now very much the victim came Into the dock a miserable object his head swathed in bandages Briefly Lord Jocelyn gave his evidence which corroborated that of the policeman ‘Where’s the young woman in the case?" the magistrate asked “Can’t be found your honor” the "And she don’t policeman answered live at the address she gave” "Where does the young woman j the envelope Inside he found a scrawl something’s crooked Go Into him Bo Soak him in the ribs with that signed "Elizabeth Orme” “Forgive me for writing" it said right of yours Time— time” "but I remembered And now Jocelyn recovered faced the address you gave the policeman last night and I his enemy with something of the conimplore you as the gentleman I know fidence that he had felt at college on Alf many an occasion when the novelty you are not to turn me down was drinking last night and grew sus- and wearing off he had He doubted you were McGee aroused enthusiastic plaudits with bis picious He hasn’t trained and If you’ll only science and skill Orme whs fighting be brave you can put up a good ap- viciously but his blows were wild and Toward the sluggish pearance before he knocks you out his muscles end of the round Jocelyn saw an openIn the third” Lord Jocelyn tore the letter to ing and lunged He felt his fist thud into adOrme’s and flesh realized his that laughed pieces "I wouldn’t go down In the third If versary was out of training and found himself standing I were standing up to Johnson himover a prostrate self” he said and with the words a man while the crowd howled and new spirit entered his breast He yelled would fight not merely to keep up ap“Say that was a good punch all pearances but to conquer right” Barney whispered as he fanned him “You drop this time — remember! Punctually at the time appointed he made his appearance at the saloon He’ll hit you in the Jaw and you take door and pushing aside the janitor the count — see?” without a word passed through a Jocelyn laughed at the prediction maze of passages into an anteroom for he knew now that he was goldg to the office of the stable in which be win Orme came up puffing like a mofound a number of men clustered to- tor and there was no force in his gether Among them was Alf Orme blows As he drove for Jocelyn’s chin in fighting attire reclining in a chair the latter fell upon him with the force while his second rubbed his limbs of a cyclone Thud thud thud the When he saw Jocelyn he bounded out blows fell right and left upon his anof his chair in delight tagonist Orme staggered back to the "Here’s Jake boys” he shouted ropes hung there a moment facing "Good old Jake I knew you’d make Jocelyn with an expression of astonit Mr Barney Jones — Mr McGee ishment and Injury and slowly rose to Barney’s your second and you’ll find receive a blow upon the point of the him Al Come get your togs off” with all the victor’s jaw delivered Alf Orme fell backward and Lord Jocelyn stripped and assumed strength his fighting gear while Barney looked lay with closed eyes like one dead at him in approval The manager bent over him “One — two — three” he counted and Orme "You’ll last three rounds" he said “Four — five—six— seven” approvingly "Tell you what boy I lay - still shouldn’t be surprised If you couldn't he continued Orme's second was whip him if you wanted to” dancing round him screeching at him “Hello Jake me boy” put in a to rise Slowly Orme’s eyes unclosed silk man in a hat evidently the mas- lie stared up at the faces vacantly who had Just and the audience shouted Itself wild ter of the ceremonies entered “Glad to meet you” he said “Nine” “Eight” said the manager grasping his hand warmly “Say Jake There was on almost Imperceptible y “Sit down sir” Jocelyn said handing him a chair “To what am I indebted for the honor of this visit?” Aw don’t hand me none of that” his visitor growled “You put tho job through on me and I ain’t got no more to say about it What I want is Lizzie Orme’s address" If you mean the lady whom you so grossly Insulted the other evening" said Lord Jocelyn “I certainly shall not give it to you unless you can show just cause” ’Just cause?” shouted his visitor inMo Just in from dignantly “What? and not knowing whero to Chicago find no one and sighting Liz in the street — and then to get knocked down in the gutter by a guy as I could settle with one hand behind me back? Ain’t that Just cause? If I hadn’t have seen her and recognized her from her photograft I’d a trod the streets till Doomsday and never known where tho fight was to be pulled off” "Your name?” gasped Jocelyn "Is Jake McGee if it’s any satisfaction to you” answered the man Jocelyn arose and went to his desk Unlocking a drawer he pulled out four bills of the value of five hundred dol- lars apiece and thrust them into his visitor’s hand "Her address is 666 t street" he said "and she will tell you why these belong to you Don’t say a word please” he continued urging his visitor out He closed the door on him and then turned back and opened it McGee was standing In a trance of at sort the head of the stairs “Tell Mrs Orme I’m through with all of you and I don’t want to see you again" he said “Now in the expressive vernacular of this country beat it” And McGee obeyed Lord Jocelyn stretched himself out upon his lounge and yawned “I certainly did spend that four thousand quickly” he said groaning ns the cramp seized his aching limbs No more adventures in the lower world for me Talbot! Bring mo a w hlsky and soda and a new bottle of liniment!” ' |