“Of course we know he was shot, but I did not know who by.”
“By the gal, I tell yer. She’s been afore the magistrates, and has sworn to him like anythink, and she means to hang him――leastways, it won’t be any fault of her’s if he doesn’t swing. Ah! it’s all up with the Badger,” said Cooney, with a sigh, at the same time draining off the liquor left in his glass.
“It’s a bad bisness――a precious bad bisness, there aint no manner o’ doubt on’t.”
“It is, indeed,” returned Peace; “but it is a lesson to both of us――a lesson I hope you will profit by.”
“Oh, there aint no call for you to preach, or to try and make me better nor I am. But I am sorry for the old un――he was always square enough with me――always.”
“I tell you, Cooney, sadly and seriously, that if you don’t intend to profit by the warning already given to both of us, I shall; and I advise you to follow my example.”
“Oh, I’ll profit by it one way or t’other; I sed as how it ed come to this sooner or later, he was so rash, so headstrong. Didn’t I always say that I liked to do business in a quiet sort o’ way? Answer me that.”
“I admit you did,” said Peace in a conciliatory tone of voice. “But now we must part――I durst not stay any longer,” he added rising from his seat.
“Yes, you don’t want anything more of me.”
“No, not a morsel. I’m thankful enough for what yer have given me――but I say, Charlie, you’re a knockin’ up a tidy business in the town, aint yer?”
“Oh no; but very middling at present. What are your movements?”
“I leave to-morrow morning――and so good-bye and good luck to yer.”
The two companions in crime shook hands and parted.
Peace when he reached the street, walked on as fast as possible. He was greatly relieved when he lost sight of the beershop in which this interview had taken place.
Peace greatly regretted having had anything to do with the Badger or his jackall, Cooney. This association with others of an equally lawless character had doubtless a marked influence on his late career. He had got into trouble more than once through evil and lawless companions; hence it was that he afterwards went alone upon his predatory and nocturnal visits; and these, as it afterwards transpired, were singularly successful and lucrative.