Sure I'd give all the money I can lay hands on to be
quit of that job."
"You are over-sensitive," remarked Kieff, showing a gleam of teeth
between his colourless lips. "He will think far less of this than
of disease in his cattle or crops. They were nothing to each
other, nor ever could be. She and Guy Ranger have been lovers all
through."
"Ah, faith then, I know better!" broke in Kelly. "He worships her
from the crown of her head to the sole of her foot. He'll be fit
to kill young Guy for this. By the saints above us, I could almost
kill him myself."
"You needn't!" said Kieff with ironical humour. "And Burke needn't
either. As for the woman--" he snapped his fingers again--"she'll
come back like a homing dove, if he waits a little."
Kelly swore again furiously. "Ah, why did I ever lend myself to
digging young Guy out of Hoffstein's? Only a blasted fool could
have expected to bring anything but corruption out of that sink of
evil. It was Burke's own doing, but I was a fool--I was a three
times fool--to give in to him."
"Where is the worthy Burke?" questioned Kieff, "Over at Merston's,
doing the good Samaritan; been working like a nigger all day. And
now!" There was actually a sound of tears in Kelly's voice. "I'd
give me right hand," he vowed tremulously, "I'd give me soul--such
as it is--to be out of this job.
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