Louis LAmour - With These Hands

Contents

FIGHTERS DONT DIVE

N IMBLY FLASH MORAN parried a jab and went in fast with a left to the wind. Stepping back, he let Breen get a breath. Then he flicked out a couple of lefts, put over an inside right, and as Breen bobbed into a crouch and tried to get in close, he clinched and tied him up.

They broke, and Breen came in with a flurry of punches that slid off Morans arms and shoulders. Then Morans hip moved and a left hook that traveled no more than four inches snapped Breen up to his toes. Breen caught himself and staggered away.

The gong sounded, and Flash Moran pausedthen he slapped Breen on the shoulder and trotted to his corner.

Two men were standing there with Dan Kelly. He knew them both by sight. Mike McKracken, an ex-wrestler turned gambler, and Blackie Marollo, small-time racketeer.

Youre lookin good, kid, Kelly said. This next one you should win.

You might, but you wont stop him, Marollo said, looking up. Nobody knocks Barnaby out.

McKracken studied Moran with cold eyes. You got paper on him? he asked Kelly.

I dont need any, Kelly said. We work together.

Well, if you had it, Id buy a piece, McKracken said. I need a good middle. Money in that class now with Turner, Schmidt, and Demeray comin up.

I wouldnt sell, Kelly said. Were friends.

Yeah? Marollo shot him a glance. Id hate to see somebody come along an offer him a grand to sign up. Youd see how much friendship matters.

Flash Moran looked at Marollo, then dropped to the floor beside him.

Youve a rotten way of looking at things, Blackie, he said. We arent all dishonest, you know!

Youre pretty free with that lip of yours, kid. Maybe somebody will button it up one day. For keeps.

Moran turned, pulled his robe around him, and started for the dressing room.

That kid better get wise or he wont last, Marollo said. You tell him, Kelly.

You told him yourself, Kelly replied. Didnt you?

Dan Kelly turned and walked up the aisle after Flash. Behind him, he heard Marollos voice.

That punk. Ill fix him!

You wont do nothin of the kind, he heard Mc-Kracken growl. We got too much ridin on this to risk trouble.

The voices faded out with the distance, and Kelly scowled.

In the dressing room the trainer spoke up. Keep an eye on Marollo, kid, hes all bad.

To the devil with him, Flash said. I know his kind. Hes tough as long as he has all the odds with him. When the chips are down, hell turn yellow.

Maybe. But youll never see him when he doesnt have the difference. Kelly looked at him curiously. Where you goin tonight?

Out. Just lookin around. Say, Dan, what do you suppose is bringing Marollo and McKracken around to the gym? One or the others been down here five days in a row.

Probably sizing you up, figurin the odds. Kelly knotted his tie. Well. Ive got a date with the wife.

S HORTY KINSELLA WAS lining up a shot when Flash Moran walked into Brescias Pool Room. He looked up.

Hiya, champ! Hows about a game? Im just winding up this one.

He put the last ball in the corner and walked around, holding out his hand.

Moran took it, grinning. Sure, Ill play.

Better watch him. The man who Kinsella had played handed Shorty five dollars. Hes good!

Moran racked the balls. Say, what do you know about Blackie Marollo?

Shortys smile went out like a light. He broke, and ran up four, then looked at Flash thoughtfully.

Nothing. You shouldnt know anything either.

Flash Moran watched Kinsella make a three-cushion shot. The guys got me wondering.

Well, dont. Not if you want to stay healthy.

Flash Moran finished his game and went out. He paused on the corner and peeled the paper from a stick of chewing gum. If even Shorty Kinsella was afraid to talk about Marollo, there must be more behind Blackie than hed thought.

Suddenly, there was a man standing beside him. He was almost as tall as Moran, though somewhat heavier. He lit a cigarette, and as the match flared, he looked up at Flash over his cupped hands.

Listen, sonny, he said, I heard you askin a lot of questions about Marollo in there. Well, cut it outget me?

Roll your hoop. Flash turned easily. Ill ask what I want, when I want.

The mans hand flashed, and in that instant of time, Flash saw the blackjack. He threw up his left arm and blocked the blow by catching the mans forearm on his own. Then he struck. It was a right, short and wicked, into the mans wind.

Moran had unlimbered a hard blow, and the man was in no shape to take it. With a grunt he started to fall and then Moran slashed him across the face with the edge of his hand. He felt the mans nose crunch, and as the fellow dropped, Moran stepped over him and walked around the corner.

So, Blackie Marollo didnt like to be talked about? Just who was Blackie Marollo, anyway?

Up the street there was a Chinese joint, a place he knew. He went in, found an empty booth, and sat down. He was scowling, thoughtfully. There would be trouble. He had busted up one of Marollos boys, and he imagined Blackie wouldnt like it. If a guy had to hire muscle, he had to keep their reputation. If it was learned they could be pushed around with impunity, everybody would be trying it.

Moran was eating a bowl of chicken and fried rice when the girl came in. She was slim, long-legged, and blond, and when she smiled her eyes twinkled merrily. She had another girl with her, a slender brunette.

She turned, glancing around the room, and their eyes met. Too late he tried to look indifferent, but his face burned and he knew his embarrassment had shown. She smiled and turned back to the other girl.

When the girls sat down, she was facing him. He cursed himself for a fool, a conceited fool to be thinking a girl of her quality would care to know anyone who earned his living in the ring.

S EVERAL TIMES MORANS and the girls eyes caught. Then Gow came into the room and saw him. Immediately, he hurried over, his face all smiles.

Hiya, Flash! Long time no see!

Ive been meaning to come in.

How are you going to do with the Soldier?

Think Ill beat him. Howre the odds?

Six to five. Hes the favorite. Genzel was in, the fellow who runs that bar around the corner. He said it was a cinch to go the limit.

For an instant, Flash was jolted out of his thinking of the girl.

Genzel? Isnt he one of Marollos boys?

Yes. And Marollo usually knowshe doesnt know about this one, does he, Flash?

Hell no! he paused a moment. Gow, he said. Take a note to that girl over there for me, will you?

Hurriedly, Moran scribbled a few lines.

Id like to talk to you. If the answer is yes, nod your head when you look at me. If it is no, the evening will still be lovely, even if not so exciting.

REILLY MORAN

Gow shrugged, took the note, and wandered across the room. Flash Moran felt himself turning crimson and looked down. When he looked up, his eyes met those of the girl, and she nodded, briefly.

He got up, straightened his coat, and walked across the room. As he came alongside the table, she looked up.

Im Ruth Connor, she said, smiling. This is Hazel Dickens. Do you always eat alone?

She moved over and made a place for him beside her in the booth.

No, he said. Usually with a friend.

Girl? Ruth asked, smiling at him.

No. My business partner. Were back here from San Francisco.

Are you? she asked. I lived there for a while. On Nob Hill.