English
"Itsoundsprettyinteresting,"saidthepoliceman."Ratheralongtimebetweenmeets,though,itseemstome.Haven'tyouheardfromyourfriendsinceyouleft?"
"Well,yes,foratimewecorresponded,"saidtheother."Butafterayearortwowelosttrackofeachother.Yousee,theWestisaprettybigproposition,andIkepthustlingaroundoveritprettylively.
ButIknowJimmywillmeetmehereifhe'salive,forhealwayswasthetruest,stanchestoldchapintheworld.He'llneverforget.Icameathousandmilestostandinthisdoorto-night,andit'sworthitifmyoldpartnerturnsup."
Thewaitingmanpulledoutahandsomewatch,thelidsofitsetwithsmalldiamonds.
"Threeminutestoten,"heannounced."Itwasexactlyteno'clockwhenwepartedhereattherestaurantdoor."
"DidprettywelloutWest,didn'tyou?"askedthepoliceman.
"Youbet!IhopeJimmyhasdonehalfaswell.Hewasakindofplodder,though,goodfellowashewas.I'vehadtocompetewithsomeofthesharpestwitsgoingtogetmypile.AmangetsinagrooveinNewYork.IttakestheWesttoputarazor-edgeonhim."
Thepolicemantwirledhisclubandtookasteportwo.
"I'llbeonmyway.Hopeyourfriendcomesaroundallright.Goingtocalltimeonhimsharp?"
"Ishouldsaynot!"saidtheother."I'llgivehimhalfanhouratleast.IfJimmyisaliveonearthhe'llbeherebythattime.Solong,officer."
"Goodnight,sir,"saidthepoliceman,passingonalonghisbeat,tryingdoorsashewent.
Therewasnowafine,colddrizzlefalling,andthewindhadrisenfromitsuncertainpuffsintoasteadyblow.Thefewfootpassengersastirinthatquarterhurrieddismallyandsilentlyalongwithcoatcollarsturnedhighandpocketedhands.
Andinthedoorofthehardwarestorethemanwhohadcomeathousandmilestofillanappointment,uncertainalmosttoabsurdity,withthefriendofhisyouth,smokedhiscigarandwaited.
Abouttwentyminuteshewaited,andthenatallmaninalongovercoat,withcollarturneduptohisears,hurriedacrossfromtheoppositesideofthestreet.Hewentdirectlytothewaitingman.
Share this article to
FINISH