But we've parted
definitely." Then Larry added: "Unless you want to travel my road."
"Your road! Never!" snapped Barney.
"And you, Jimmie?" Larry inquired, his eyes on Barney's inflamed
face.
"I don't see your proposition. And I'm too old a bird to start
something new. No, thanks. I'll stick to what I know."
His next words, showing his long yellow teeth, were spoken slowly, but
they were hard, and had a cutting edge. "You've got a sweet idea of
what's straight, Larry: dropping us without a leader, just when we
need a leader most."
Larry's composed yet watchful gaze was still on Barney. "You're not
really left in such a bad way. Barney here is ready to take charge."
"You bet I am!" Barney flamed at him, his hands clenching. "And the
bunch won't lose by the change, you bet! The bunch always thought you
were an ace--and I always knew you were a two-spot. And now they'll
see I was right--that you were always yellow!"
Larry still leaned against the safe in the same posture of seeming
ease, but he expected Barney to strike at any moment, and held himself
in readiness for a flashing fist. Barney had been hard to hold in
leash in the old days; now that all ties of partnership were broken,
he saw in those small gleaming eyes a defiance and a hatred that
henceforth had no reason for restraint.
Pages:
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66