, 1925-10-07
chic BLACK GANG
BY CYRIL NcNEILE
SAPPER
Copyright by GHoRiEH DoRANc c.
Muse

In exchange for that little bag, where
do you and I tan after the bargain
Is transacted? Do you still intend to
tell the police of your extraordinary
decisions with regard to me?"
Not unless they should happen to
become acquainted with the ridiculous
ha%llucination that l am the leader of
the Black Gang" answered Drum
mond. THAT was for your ears alone,
my little one, and as you knew 1t al
ready you won't get fat on it, will
you? No, my intentiOns-since we
are having a heart-to-heart talk-are
as follows: Once the exchange is eff
fected we will start quite fair and
square-just like last time. Carl. 1t
doesn't pay yOu to go to the police:
1t doesn't pay me, so Wen have a
single on our own. l am frightfully
anxious to add you to my collection
of specimens, and I can't believe you
are burning with zeal to go. But we'll
see. Carl, we'll see. Only-no more
monkey-tricks with my wife. Don't
let there be any misunderstanding on
that point"
The clergyman smiled benevolently.
How APPLY you put things" he
murmured. II accept your terms, and
I shall look forward afterward to the
single on our own that you speak
about. And nOw-as to details. You
must zeal in mind that lust as Mrs.
Drummond is more valuable to YOU
than diamonds, she Is also somewhat
larger. In c',er words. 1t will be oh
vious at o whether those whom I
represent J. kept their side of the
bargain by producing your wife. 1t
Will not be obvious whether you have
kept yours. The diamonds may or may
not be in your pocket, and once you
have your wife in your arms again the
incentive to return the diamonds
would be diminished. So l suggest.
Captain Drummond, that you should
bring the diamonds TO me-here in
this room, before six O'Clock as a proof
of good faith. You may keep them
in your possession; all that l require
Is to see them. l Will then engage on
my side to produce Mrs. Drummond
within a quarter OF an hour.
For a momen Drummond hesitated.
fearing a trick. And yet 1t was a per
fectly reasonable request, as he adj
mitted to himself. From their point
of view 1t was quite true that they
could have no proof that he would
keep his word. and once Phyllis was
III 'he room there wouid be nothing
10 pre'eht the Two oil them quietly
w~aikihg OUT through the door and tell
ing the reverend l~heodosius to go to
nj.
Nothing can very well happen at
the hitz' can nF' continued the clergy.
man suaVeiy. ANA yon see am even
trusting you 10 the extent thai l do
nor actuaiiy ask you 10 hand over The
oiamohus uhtii YOU wire comes. j
nave no guarantee that even hen you
VIII NOT ger up and leave the room
Win them sui IN your possession
lou are 100 Dig and strong a man,
ohptain Drummond. to allow Of any
orsepiay-especiaiiy-er-in a clergy
mans suite of rooms"
Drummond laughed. "Cut II out,
CARR he exclaimed. "Cut 1t out. for
heavens sake! All light. l ngree.
III go round and get the stones now"
He rose and went to the door.
nu' uoht forget Carl-h there are
any nonNes-,ricks' heaven help you.
me uoor closed behind him., and
WIN snhri the clergyman spun ROUND
VI" u girl
HOW the devil has he spotted usf'
ms race was with rage
Hes the biggest fool in the world,
ana YET he spots me every time.
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