The Wilmington morning star., 1940-11-25
CHAPTER

Guns guard awaited him out
side. But as they turned to move
away Gun caught, through tn
closed window, the murmur o,
voices. In the room he had Jus'
left, Otto was speaking.
"Just a minute" said Gun to
the guard.
He bent as though to do up his
shoe lace, and in doing so leaned
quite naturally against the Woooen
wall of the bungalow. Otto was
saying:
This appliance Of Hazeldaane's
will be valuable in many ways.
It can be sold-or maybe II Will
be useful in possible future opera,
tons. But for this we CANNOT wait
this coup of ours must come OH
on the 25th at the latest"
The guard made an impatient
movement.
"All right" said Gun, straight
ening himself. "Off we go!"
He had heard enough. The crime
was to be p~erpetrated on the 25th,
and it was now the 10th. So he
had fifteen days in which to make
his escape, if he was to prevent
one of the vilest crimes which had
ever been planned for gain.
When Tommy Hazeldeane heard
the news he chuckled delightedly.
why, that's bitter. A good meal
and a drink and a pretty girl
what in hell does a man want
more than that? But, I say, we II
have to have a wash and brush up
first, you know"
''Oh, l don't doubt they'll pro-
vide for that" Gun answered dry
ly. Tommy's live for the moment
only" attitude annoyed him, in the
circumstances, so that he had halt
a mind to tell him the truth. But
he was still fearful of Tommy's
impetuousness.
Trent conveyed the news official
ly (Gun, of course, not being sup
posed to know anything about it,
the following morning, and shortly
afterward they were allowed back
in the bungalow, where they found
Sambo installed once more in the
kitchen, and the hot water func-
tioning again. They both immedi-
ately reveled in hot baths a n d
shaves and. in the end, looked
something more like themselves
again-though both needed a hair
cut. and their suits showed consid.
cradle signs of wear and tear.
The dinner party, as such. was a
success. Coral was the life ano
soul of the party, and Tommy
backed her up well. Trent anc
Gun both did their best, and ever
Otto seemed to relax a little.
But over the coffee and liquors
Otto suddenly came to business.
Let us not beat about the bush
gentlemen. You have some know
ledge which we require Why
dosn't matter at all to you. Fol
this we are prepared pay. We viii
pay for it twenty-five thousand
pounds, which you can divide be
iWeen you as you think fit. Ano
we will send you to America. OF
anywhere you like at our own ex.
pense. If you refuse-then ] an
afraid we shall have to make
things even more uncomfol table
for you than they have been h1h
erto. I am not, it seems, so gentle
and refined as my friend Tren
here-and I have methods of -
shall we say physical persuasion:
which I think will be effective.
If not, we shall have to shoot you.
Which will be a pity. Now, I wan;
you to think this over carefully
Coral broke in:
why, it doesn't want any think.
ing over, does it, big boy?" She
was addressing Tommy. Gee, vol
could do a lot with your share Of
twenty-five thousand smackers!
and if you wanted any help
spending 'em, 1 guess I could show
you a think Or two-in New York.
O boy! o boy!"
1t was all rather crude and bla.
tant, and Otto froWned. But be-
fore he could say anything there
came a tap at the door, which
Trent answered. He spoke to some
n outside, and then turned to
Otto.
Afraid you and I will have 70
run over the road for a few mn
utes, Chief. There's something
Bella LANAN-COURT r