Ride the River (1983) Read Online Free PDF

Barnabas's son, Kin. Several times over the years there was contact between the families, but the last O'Hara willed what was left to the last descendant of Kin Sackett."
    "The sum?"
    "Something over three thousand dollars. Nowadays that's quite a sum, but the money was the least of it. There was an iron cube, some sort of a Chinese puzzle. He opened it and showed us what was inside. It was a sapphire, a big one, couldn't have weighed less than twenty carats. He showed it to Mr. Brunn and me and then returned it to the box, made a few deft twists concealed by his palms, and handed it over to Brunn.
    "When Adam Brunn died, his widow turned his business over to White. I protested, but Mrs. Brunn listened to this woman who worked for her who was always telling her what a wonderful man White was.
    "I had given my notice before the old man died, as I wanted to set up for myself, and she would not listen to me. She resented the fact that I was going on my own, although Mr. Brunn did not. You see, I did not want to practice the kind of law he did. He had a very quiet, secure sort of business, but I wanted to be where things were happening. And I wished to write."
    "Thank you. I believe you have told me what I need to know. I think we should go now."
    "May I come with you? I've noticed, sir, some very rough characters have been watching you. You dress too well to be walking around down here."
    "Come, if you will. It is only a few blocks to where my carriage waits, and I have Archie with me."
    As they left the Dutchman's, Finian saw a side door back of the bar open and close, and he smiled a little to himself. You are an old fool, Finian, he told himself, to be thinking such thoughts at your age!
    When they reached the corner a block from the Dutchman's, they saw three men under the gaslight. The three glanced their way, then turned and walked along ahead of them.
    "Did you see them, Archie?"
    "I did, sir. There may be trouble."
    "It has been a long time since I have had that kind of trouble, Archie. I have often wondered how I would react."
    "Sir?" Gibbons said. "One of those men up ahead is Bully Benson - he's a thug and a murderer. If I am not mistaken, there will be others behind us."
    "Of course, Johnny. Be careful, now. I grew up on this sort of thing. There was that night in Bombay - "
    "There they are, sir. They are waiting for us."
    "Johnny, you and Archie take care of those behind us. Leave the three in front to me. I shall take it as a favor."
    "Sir, you are eighty-six years old! Please, sir - "
    "Years of experience, Johnny. I think we shall surprise them."
    "He fences every day at the club," Archie said. "There's nobody there can handle him. Not even those young naval officers."
    They rounded the corner and three rough-looking characters were spread across the walk before them.
    Finian smiled. "Good evening, gentlemen! Is there something we can do for you?"
    "You can hand over d' gelt, d' coin! An' quick!"
    Finian Chantry held his cane in two hands and smiled. "Ah? You hear him, Johnny? The man's threatening me!" His eyes went from one to the other. "And if I don't choose to?"
    "We'll bust your damn skull!"
    "You're Benson, I take it? Well, Benson, I'll give you a chance. Turn about now and run. Get away from here while you can, and we'll make believe this never happened."
    "Blimey! Would y' listen to that? The old gent's balmy! He's off his bloody course, he is!"
    "You're a pack of bilge-swilling swine!" Chantry said. "I've money enough in my pockets to keep you drunk for a month of Sundays, but if you come for it, you'll be wearing your guts for neckties!"
    One of the men started to back off. "Listen t' him, Bully! This one's no gent! Let's get out of here!"
    "If I had the lot of you aboard a ship of mine," Finian said cheerfully, "I'd have you kissing the gunner's daughter! You'd be bent over a starb'rd gun getting fifty good ones on the backside from a Penang lawyer!"
    "Bully? Let's get out of here! This one's walked a