3
XVI. Scratch One on Bulgaroo 251
XVII. Bayard Ducks His Past 267
XVIII. Trailing Dudley Through a Trance 285
XIX. A Little While with Alvin 304

ILLUSTRATIONS

"It might give us some clew," says I, "as to
what him and your paw has a run-in about" Frontispiece

FACING PAGE
"I wouldn't have anything happen to you
for the world," says I 8

"Now see hea-uh, Mistuh Constable," says he,
"I wouldn't go for to do anything like that" 60

"Say, I'm a bear for Paris" 97

"Now, friends," he calls, "everybody in on the chorus" 124

"What's the idea," says Mabel, "wishin' this
Rube stuff on us?" 157

He sidles up to the desk and proceeds to make
some throaty noises 199

Blamed if Dudley don't have the nerve to tow
Veronica into the next room, stretchin' on
tiptoe to talk in her ear 298

SHORTY McCABE ON THE JOB

CHAPTER I

WISHING A NEW ONE ON SHORTY

Do things just happen, like peculiar changes in the weather, or is there
a general scheme on file somewhere? Is it a free-for-all we're mixed up
in--with our Harry Thaws and our Helen Kellers; our white slavers, our
white hopes, and our white plague campaigns; our trunk murders, and our
fire heroes? Or are we runnin' on schedule and headed somewhere?

I ain't givin' you the answer. I'm just slippin' you the proposition,
with the side remark that now and then, when the jumble seems worse than
ever, you can get a glimpse of what might be a clew, or might not.

Anyway, here I was, busy as a little bee, blockin' right hooks and body
jabs that was bein' shot at me by a husky young uptown minister who's a
headliner at his job, I understand, but who's developin' a good, useful
punch on the side. I was just landin' a cross wallop to the ribs, by way
of keepin' him from bein' too ambitious with his left, when out of the
tail of my eye I notices Swifty Joe edgin' in with a card in his paw.

"Time out!" says I, steppin' back and droppin' my guard. "Well, Swifty,
what's the scandal?"

"Gent waitin' to see you," says he.

"Let him wait, then," says I.

"Ah-r-r-r, but he's a reg'lar gent!" protest