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Soapyhadconfidenceinhimselffromthelowestbuttonofhisvestupward.
Hewasshaven,andhiscoatwasdecentandhisneatblack,ready-tiedfour-in-handhadbeenpresentedtohimbyaladymissionaryonThanksgivingDay.
Ifhecouldreachatableintherestaurantunsuspectedsuccesswouldbehis.Theportionofhimthatwouldshowabovethetablewouldraisenodoubtinthewaiter'smind.
Aroastedmallardduck,thoughtSoapy,wouldbeaboutthething--withabottleofChablis,andthenCamembert,ademi-tasseandacigar.
Onedollarforthecigarwouldbeenough.Thetotalwouldnotbesohighastocallforthanysuprememanifestationofrevengefromthecafemanagement;andyetthemeatwouldleavehimfilledandhappyforthejourneytohiswinterrefuge.
ButasSoapysetfootinsidetherestaurantdoortheheadwaiter'seyefelluponhisfrayedtrousersanddecadentshoes.
Strongandreadyhandsturnedhimaboutandconveyedhiminsilenceandhastetothesidewalkandavertedtheignoblefateofthemenacedmallard.
SoapyturnedoffBroadway.Itseemedthathisroutetothecovetedislandwasnottobeanepicureanone.Someotherwayofenteringlimbomustbethoughtof.
AtacornerofSixthAvenueelectriclightsandcunninglydisplayedwaresbehindplate-glassmadeashopwindowconspicuous.
Soapytookacobblestoneanddasheditthroughtheglass.Peoplecamerunningaroundthecorner,apolicemaninthelead.
Soapystoodstill,withhishandsinhispockets,andsmiledatthesightofbrassbuttons.
"Where'sthemanthatdonethat?"inquiredtheofficerexcitedly.
"Don'tyoufigureoutthatImighthavehadsomethingtodowithit?"saidSoapy,notwithoutsarcasm,butfriendly,asonegreetsgoodfortune.
Thepoliceman'smindrefusedtoacceptSoapyevenasaclue.Menwhosmashwindowsdonotremaintoparleywiththelaw'sminions.Theytaketotheirheels.
Thepolicemansawamanhalfwaydowntheblockrunningtocatchacar.Withdrawnclubhejoinedinthepursuit.
Soapy,withdisgustinhisheart,loafedalong,twiceunsuccessful.
Ontheoppositesideofthestreetwasarestaurantofnogreatpretensions.Itcateredtolargeappetitesandmodestpurses.
Itscrockeryandatmospherewerethick;itssoupandnaperythin.
IntothisplaceSoapytookhisaccusiveshoesandtelltaletrouserswithoutchallenge.
Atatablehesatandconsumedbeefsteak,flapjacks,doughnutsandpie.
Andthentothewaiterbebetrayedthefactthattheminutestcoinandhimselfwerestrangers.
"Now,getbusyandcallacop,"saidSoapy."Anddon'tkeepagentlemanwaiting."
"Nocopforyouse,"saidthewaiter,withavoicelikebuttercakesandaneyelikethecherryinaManhattancocktail.
"Hey,Con!"NeatlyuponhisleftearonthecallouspavementtwowaiterspitchedSoapy.
Hearose,jointbyjoint,asacarpenter'sruleopens,andbeatthedustfromhisclothes.
Arrestseemedbutarosydream.TheIslandseemedveryfaraway.Apolicemanwhostoodbeforeadrugstoretwodoorsawaylaughedandwalkeddownthestreet.
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