"Now let me tell you something before I go away," said Mr. Sprague. "You are beginning to keep a most disorderly house here, and the very next time you have a fight here I shall shut you up."
"I tell you, sir, we ain't been keepin' no disorderly house," replied Barlow. He was as mad a man as ever stepped, but he took good care not to show it. "That fellow has been asleep and dreamed—"
"I understand all about it," said Mr. Sprague. "I only caution you against having another fight here."
Barlow walked around behind the counter, the barkeeper got up and rubbed his face, which began to be puffed out around the eyes, the bull-dog staggered to his feet and began reeling across the floor, and Gus leaned on the place where the drinks were served, so utterly amazed and bewildered that he could not speak.
"Those two are going up to your house," said Barlow, recovering his speech with an effort. He had first uttered a volley of oaths when he saw his bull-dog and his barkeeper worsted, and had gathered up a chair to take a hand in the muss, but his swear-words grew soft the moment Mr. Sprague entered. He knew that the magistrate had a right to fine him for every oath to which he gave utterance. "They are going up to your house, and they'll see Bob there."
"That's just what I am afraid of," said Gus, walking up and down in front of the counter and wringing his hands. "I don't see what made me come here, anyway."
"No more do I," said Barlow, looking savagely at him. "The whole thing is out on us. You had better get out of here as soon as you can, and don't come to us with any more trickery."
"Why, this was your own doing!" said Gus, surprised to learn that he was the cause of all Barlow's trouble. "You hollered for the barkeeper and the bull-dog—"
"But I wouldn't 'a' done it if you hadn't been here!" retorted the old man, angrily. "Come now, get out!"
Barlow came out from behind the counter and Gus made haste to get through the open door into the street; but where should he go? He pulled his hat down over his eyes, thrust his hands deep into his pockets, and walked along, thinking the matter over.