Chapter 21

“I never did anything to your girl. . . . But I know now where I first saw her. . . . And she followed me. . . . She put one over on you, too, John;—or—” “Or what?” said the younger man. “Or she’s a gay-cat.” “_Whose?_” “Somebody’s, of course—” “Whose?” “Well,” said Welper huskily, “whose gay-cat would she be?” “Get this, Barney,” said Lanier in an even voice, “she’s my girl and she’s nobody’s gay-cat. And that’s that.” Welper moistened his lips. His sly, half-veiled eyes fell to the side pockets of Lanier’s coat. …