Веснянки
Chapter IV
”
McLeanpushedhimcarefullytotheseat,andbendingoverhim,openedapocket-casethathecarriedasregularlyashisrevolverandwatch,forcutsandbruiseswereofdailyoccurrenceamongthegang.
Takingthehurtarm,heturnedbackthesleeveandbathedandboundthewounds.HeexaminedFreckles’headandbodyandconvincedhimselfthattherewasnopermanentinjury,althoughthecrueltyofthepunishmenttheboyhadbornesettheBossshuddering.Thenheclosedthecase,shoveditintohispocket,andsatbesideFreckles.Alltheindescribablebeautyoftheplacewasstrongaroundhim,buthesawonlythebruisedfaceofthesufferingboy,whohadhedgedfortheinformationhewantedasadiplomat,arguedasajudge,foughtasasheik,andtriumphedasadevil.
WhenthepainlessenedandbreathrelievedFreckles’poundingheart,hewatchedtheBosscovertly.HowhadMcLeangottenthereandhowlonghadhebeenthere?Frecklesdidnotdareask.Atlasthearose,andgoingtothecase,tookouthisrevolverandthewire-mendingapparatusandlockedthedoor.ThenheturnedtoMcLean.
“Haveyouanyorders,sir?”heasked.
“Yes,”saidMcLean,“Ihave,andyouaretofollowthemtotheletter.Turnoverthatapparatustomeandgostraighthome.Soakyourselfinthehottestbathyourskinwillbearandgotobedatonce.Nowhurry.”
“Mr.McLean,”saidFreckles,“it’ssorryIamtobetellingyou,buttheafternoon’swalkingofthelineain’tdone.Yousee,Iwasjustforgettingtomefeettostart,andIwasontime,whenupcameagintleman,andwegotintoalittleheatedargument.
