Evening star., 1934-12-23
CHAPTER XIV.
EAvESDROPPER.

approvingly. You've done very
well, Flick. I don't often pay
~ you compliments, but"
wait . moment" I inter-
jected. "You haven't heard the most
important part yet"
AS briefly as I could I went on to
describe our encounter with Mr.. Peter
Orloff and my staggering discovery
with regard to his identity.
'You may think I'm quite mad" I
finished, but I never felt more GER
tain of anything in my life. I'd rec
ognize the brute's voice anywhere.
He's Stellman right enough-you can
take my word for it-and now per-
haps you'll suggest what we're going
to do about It,"
It was Molly who was the first to
speak. II know what I'm going to
do" she said. I'm going straight
to the Cathedral and I'm going to
light q candle to st. Anthony. I
prayed to him specially last night,
and you see he's beginning to help
us already"
And a jolly useful bit Of work,
too," Jerry turned to me. why
didn't you tell Avon?"
IT really don't know" admitted.
Partly, I think, because 1t all hap
pened so suddenly, and partly be-
cause he seemed to be under the
impression that we were a couple
Of well-meaning NUTS. don't like
being despised-even by q million
aire'
1T gives us q freer hand, any
how" Jerry observed with a consid-
erable relish. We know something
about the blighter that no one else
does except Dmitri." He paused. II
wonder whether he has any idea
that you spotted him?"
"I don't think So" said. I'm not
even sure that he noticed me.
slipped into the car directly I heard
his voice."
Its q pity we're not certain. If
he did, and II what Avon told you
about him Is right, things look like
being q bit hectic. These Russian
lads don't stick at much. They've
pots of money and o devilish big or
ganization, and If I thought there
was the smallest chance Of our giving
him away to the police rather
fancy that Mr.. Peter Orlof might
be inclined to turn nasty"
He wouldn't have far to turn -
I observed.
Its Molly I'm thinking about. As
far as you and /"
Look here!" Molly Strengthened
herself Indignantly. you've just got
to drop that nonsense or the whole
things of. I'm not standing for any
of the sweet sheltered girl business
We're all in this together. and i
there's going to be trouble I'm ready
to take my share of it,
You mustn't be angry with him,
I said. Its natural for q baronet
to be q bit old-fashioned
"Sorry!" Jerry made her an apol-
ogetic bow. Your fault, you know
for being so beautiful If any one
went and stuck a knife into you II
would sour the whole Of my futur,
life"
Molly laughed. II should be an
noyed, too" She leaned across to
the writing table and helped herself
to a cigarette. Whats your idea?'
she demanded. Il can see you've
got some scheme or you wouldn't be
worrying about me-"
Its more than a scheme" re-
turned Jerry; Its an absolute brain
wave. We want to find out all we
possibly can about Osborne, and, q,
Nick says, the first chap we've goi
to see Is this farmer at Hambridge
Now you can bet your boots thai
Orloff doesn't mean to let US out o
! his sight. He'll have some one
shadowing us all the time, and if we
try to go down there by road or train
we shall simply be giving away the
whole show"
That's true enough" I admitted
still"
Half q second!' He shot out q
long arm and caught me by the
sleeve. why shouldn't we 60 rounc
in the Seagull? She's lying down al
Leigh, and its only q question ol
running over her gear and shovinl
few stores on board. could have
her ready for sea inside "a hours"
slapped my knee with a resound
ing bang. by Jove, you've hit it!'
I exclaimed.
whats the seagull?' inquired
Molly.
shes an old tub belonging II
jerry" I explained; "a little eight
ton cutter Just big enough for thre'
of u.s."
"You see the notion?" resumed he
owner with enthusiasm. IF we q
| round by water we shall have then
completely flummoxed. Besides, i
will settle all the difiiculty of keepinl
you out Of danger. II they don
know where you are they can't yer.
| well cut your throat"
Would you mind roughing it I
bit, Molly?" ! asked. 1T won't b
as comfortable as the Mauretania
you know"
Don't be stupid. Nick" she re
| turned. what do care about com
fort? Why, I'd 60 anywhere in tn
world with you two"
II suppose you know this creel
or whatever 1t Is. Jerry?" said
Judging by Avon's description, l
sounds q pretty awkward place t,
get at"
"Oh, I know 1t right enough. I'v
been In there twice. It's q sort o
shallow estuary, halfway up tn,
coast between Shoeburyness and tn
Crouch. No one puts In there a
o rule because there's nothing to g,
for. Apart from that. there's a beas
Of q sand bar right across tn
entrance that you can only get owe
at high water. The first time I wa
there I stuck on it for eight hour,
and nearly drowned myself"
We'll, now you've had a rehearsal,
I observed, Il hope you'll be les
clumsy"
when can we start?" inquire,
Molly. "Td like to get away as soor
as we can"
"It's no use until the keys turl
up," pointed out. Avon will prob
ably send them along tonight; he,
got my address"
"I'n run down tomorrow anyway,
said Jerry. Shell want q certain
famount of overhauling, SO as likel,
As not I'll sleep on board and com
back and fetch YOU In the car mex