Part 15 (1/2)
”Connolly, you've gone batty! You need a nurse.”
”A nurse? Maybe so. Maybe so. But I guess you've got to the point where you need a preacher. Ha! ha! Got you that time, Doc!” laughed the hotel man, winking at Cameron.
”Oh, let it out, Martin. You'll feel better afterward. Who is it?”
”Cameron, so help me! Connolly is an infernal a.s.s. He's batty, I tell you. I'm treating him for it right now.”
”All right,” said Cameron, ”never mind. I shall run up and tell my wife you are here. Wait for me,” he cried, as he ran up the stairs.
”Connolly, you fool! I'll knock your wooden block off!” said the doctor in a fury.
”But, Doc, you did say--”
”Oh, confound you! Shut up! It was--”
”But you did say--”
”Will you shut up?”
”Certain, sure I'll shut up. But you said--”
”Look here!” broke in the doctor impatiently. ”He'll be down in a minute. I don't want him to know.”
”Aw, Doc, cut it out! He ain't no Lady Clara.”
”Connolly, close that trap of yours and listen to me. This is serious.
He'll be back in a jiffy. It's the same lady as he is going to meet.”
”Same lady? But she's his sister.”
”Yes, of course, you idiot! She's his sister. And now you've queered me with him and he will think--”
”Aw, Doc, let me be. I'll straighten that tangle out.”
”Sh-h! Here he is. Not a word, on your life!”
”Aw, get out!” replied Connolly with generous enthusiasm. ”I don't leave no pard of mine in a hole. Say,” he cried, turning to Cameron, ”about that lady. Ha! ha!”
”Shut your ugly mug!” said the doctor savagely.
”It's the same lady. Ha! ha! Good joke, eh, Sergeant?”
”Same lady?” echoed Cameron.
”Sure, same lady.”
”What does he mean, Martin?”
”The man's drunk, Cameron. He got a permit last week and he hasn't been sober for a day since.”
”Ha! ha!” laughed Connolly again. ”Wish I had a chance.”