TOM GROGAN
to him, he had determined upon an investigation of his own. He not only hated Cully, but the whole Grogan household, for the pounding he had received at his hands, so he was anxious to get even in some way.
After McGaw had locked both doors, shutting out his wife and little Jack, their youngest, he took a bottle from the shelf, filled two half-tumblers, and squaring himself in his chair, said:—
“Did ye see her, Crimmy?”
“I did,” replied Crimmins, swallowing the whiskey at a gulp.
“An' she'll come in wid us, will she?”
“She will, will she? She'll come in nothin'. I jollied her about her flowers, and thought I had her dead ter rights, when she up an' asked me what we was a-goin' to do for her if she jined, an' afore I could tell her she opens the front door and gives me the dead cold.”
“Fired ye?” exclaimed McGaw incredulously.
“I'm givin' it to ye straight, Dan; an' she pulled a gun on me, too,”—telling the lie with perfect composure. “That woman's no slouch, or I don't know 'em. One thing ye can bet yer bottom dollar on—all h— can't
98
