The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-03-06
CHAPTER VI-Continued

10
had no time to close the easement
itself. AS the servant pushed open my
door, l took my stand behind 1t, with
my back to the wall.
When he found the room dark, he let
out grunt of surprise. For an in
slant he hung on the threshold, then
he turned back to the passage and
closed the door.
AS his steps died away, turned the
handle once more. -.
1t was half past eight now, and the
hall was dim.
1 could hear no sound of talking, but
I knew that Rush was yet in the Sit
ting-room.
Then Bugle, pacing the apron,
strolled into and out of my view.
It occurred to me that he was wait
ing for Rush to finish his meal; then
the two would go off together and l
should be left. Meanwhile Pharaoh was
in action.
Rush was moving heard the scrape
of his chair as he thrust it back. An
instant later he made his way out of
the house.
1 heard him say something to Bugle
and l saw him turn to the right.
AS neither reappeared or started the
car, it looked very much as though
they were sitting down on the bench
to the right of the steps. If I was right,
then man at the sitting-room window
would be above and behind them and
able, if they were talking, to overhear
every word. Fate that had used me so
rudely, played into my hands.
eyes, know that Bit" said Rush.
'I've card it before. But if he's such
marvel, where's Bohun gone? Bohun
was boun' to be here on Monday night.
Cos why? Cos Pharaoh'd wired him
ZOOS Pharaoh desired is presence
Well, that's three days ago, an he amt
here YETI
whats Bohun matter?" said Bugle.
"'Er grace the Duchess Of Sheba is
what we want"
"Who said he mattered?" said Rush.
II never said he mattered. Wot said
was that Pharaoh knows low to slip
up. oh, don't talk silly you says.
'Pharaoh's a genius, and geniuses
don't slip up All right says
Where's Bohun?" In manifest dudgeon
he sucked at his cigarette. Pharaoh
said he'd be here on Monday night. He
near told us the SCOT of clothes he'd
ave on. Well, he isn't here, is he?
don't say Bohun matters, but I'd just
as soon know where he is. He may
be an artist, but he knows how to use
a gum"
snow look ERE, Rush." said Bugle,
crossing his legs. SOW many you can
mention could of done wot Pharaoh's
done. Beg and Baggage into that cas-
tle-the guest of the Count. Me an
you here in the rooms wot the Willies
'ad. No more one-eyed pubs; no land
lords with sweaty necks; no cottagers
stoppin' an starin'; no watchin' out !;
but everything smooth an ship-shape,
an nothin' to do but wait"
''Wait?" screeched Rush. 1--WE wait
ed long enough on this job. You can
talk as much as you like but we amt
no nearer now than when we begun.
Look at Dewdrop there, calm him
Sir an 'Capting' an standin' behind
his chair"
ats all In the game" said Bugle.
eff"
eyes, could play that game" said
Rush. IT'D suit me down to the socks.
But who ever plays it but him? When
he asks me in on this job he calls it
a change of air. Soft as silk was
his words, AN mayn't even need your
'elp. But you'd better be there he
says, in case there's door wants
openin' before we're through"
"You was took on as was, an Just
as glad of the job. I want you,' says
Pharaoh-that's all"
"All?" yelped Rush. "Why-"
SAIL" barked Bugle. Before we met
him i'm Paris, he never spoke of the
job, an then he spoke to us ALL" AS
the other sought to protest, he let out
a terrible oath. why try an put it
across me, you fool. Pharaoh don't
ask; he takes. That was his way-al-
ways, an I've known him longer than
you. You talk as If you was his equal
ne amt got no equal alive. We're in
his employment, we are. An If we
play his game, he'll make us-look at
Long John. Six hundred a year and
a pub, and / know that's true"
''Who wants a publ" snarled Rush.
San who's Mr.. Pharaoh to pick an
choose? He's the boss, of course
that's his job; but we're not his serv-
ants"
"All right, all right" said Bugle, as
though he were sick and tired of the
others complaints. Call it a game.
Sign on with i'm, an you've got to
take wot's comin'-that's all / meant"
''Yes, an wot is comin'?" said Rush.
That's wot wants to know. / Judge
a man by results. Three weeks to-
morrowswe've been here, an wot's your
Napoleon done? I'll tell you" Bugle
groaned. "In the frs place he's been
\ beat by girl an groom. He knew
they was comm, an he knew they was