Right Half Hollins

by Ralph Henry Barbour

Mooney’s was doing a land-office business when Bert reached it. The long vista of green tables was half shrouded in blue smoke through which coatless players moved to and fro. The lines of chairs on each side held almost uninterrupted rows of spectators. The click of the ivory balls and the tapping of cues were barely heard above the steady bedlam of talk. Near the entrance a cigar case and a desk met at an angle, and the square space behind was used as a sort of office. Chick’s head was visible above the cigar case as Bert’s glance roved away from the tables. Nearby stood a small, wiry, leather-cheeked man whom Bert guessed to be Mike Mooney. There were none others inside the inclosure. Bert went forward and leaned across the display of cigars.

“Did you send for me, Chick?” he asked.

Then he saw for the first time that Chick’s forehead was swathed in a rough bandage and that there was a large red stain against the white cloth.

“What happened?” he exclaimed.

Chick turned his head slowly and grinned. He looked pale, and the grin was palpably effected only after an effort. The proprietor interposed briskly. “You his friend?” he asked Bert. “Well, say, get him out of here, will you? It don’t do my place no good to have him sittin’ around like that.”

“Why, yes, but—but what—how—”

“Shot off his mouth,” explained Mike in a lowered voice. “Feller biffed him with a cue. I didn’t see it, and I don’t know what they was jawin’ about, but that’s how I got it. He’s all right now. Sort of woozy, though, and you’d better get a taxi, I guess.”

“I’ll walk,” said Chick, pulling himself from his chair and wincing as he moved. “Sorry to bother you, Bert, but I was a bit dizzy. Much obliged to you, Mr. Mooney.”

“That’s all right, young feller, but listen to me, will you? You play pool somewhere else, see? I run a respectable place, and I don’t want no trouble-makers in here, see? I ain’t saying whose fault it was, mind, and I don’t care. And no hard feelings, see? But I’d be just as pleased if you kept away. And that goes for the other guy, too.”