Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-10-04
cgAPTER THIRTY-SIX

~
GUMS GUARD awaited him
outside. But as they turned to
move away Gun caught, through
the closed window, the murmur Of
voices. In the room he had just
left. Otto was speaking.
Just 4 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 wooden
wall of the bungalow. Otto was
saying:
This appliance of Hazeldeane'
will be valuable in many ways. 1t
can be sold-or maybe it Will be
useful in possible future opera
tions. But for this we cannot wait
this coup OF ours must come OIL
on the 25tt at the latest"
The guard made an impatient
movement.
"All right" said Gun, straight
enins himself. "Off We go!"
He had heard enough. The crime
was to be perpetrated 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 delightcdly.
-. hats better. A good
meal and a drink and a pretty girl
what in hell does a man want
more than that? But, l say, We'll
have to have a wash and brush up
first. you know"
"Oh, 7 don't doubt they'll pro-
vide for that" Gun answered dry
". Tommy'S live for the moment
only" attitude annoyed him, in the
circumstances. so that he had half
a mind to tell him the truth. But
he was still fearful of TommyS I'M
petuousneSS.
Trent conveyed the news official
w (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-
atelv reveled in hot baths and
shaves and, in the end, looked
something more like themselves
again-thou9h both needed a hair
cut, and their suits showed consid-
cradle signs of wear and tear.
The dinner party, as such, was
success. Coral was the life and soul
of the party, and Tommy backed
her up we'll Trent and Gun both
did their best, and even Otto
seemed to relax little.
But over the coffee and liQueurS
Otto suddenly came to business.
Let lis not beat about the bush,
gentlemen. You have some knoWl-
edge which we reQuire-WHH,
doesn't matter at all to you. For
this we are prepared to pay. We
will pay for it twenty-five thou
sand pounds, which you can divide
between you as you think fit. And
we will send you to America, or
anywhere you like at our own en-
pense. If you refuse-then 1 am
afraid we shall have to make
things even more uncomfortable
for you than they have been hith-
erto. am not. it seems, so gentle
and refined {. ...y friend Trent
here-anG I have methods Of
shall we say physical persuasion?
which 1 think will be effective.
If not. we shall have to shoot you.
Which will be a pity. Now, want
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, you
could do a lot 18th your share of
twenty-five thousand smackers!
And if you wanted any help in
spending 'em, l guess I could show
you a thing or two-in New York.
o boy! , 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 toor, which
Trent answered. He spoke to some
one outside, and then turned to
Otto. 4
Afraid you and will have to
run over the road for a few min
utes, Chief. There's something
needs our attention. But we needn't
be long"
He looked inquiringly at Coral,
who immediately responded:
oh, that's ali right with me!