Reading Help Secret Adversary Ch.XIV-XXVIII
"I reckon," said Julius, "that the man who let daylight into you `
` would be doing humanity a good turn. But you needn't worry any. `
` I'm not proposing to kill you this trip--that is, if you're `
` reasonable." `
` `
` The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other's eyes. `
` He passed his tongue over his dry lips. `
` `
` "What do you want? Money?" `
` `
` "No. I want Jane Finn." `
` `
` "Jane Finn? I--never heard of her!" `
` `
` "You're a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean." `
` `
` "I tell you I've never heard of the girl." `
` `
` "And I tell you," retorted Julius, "that Little Willie here is `
` just hopping mad to go off!" `
` `
` The Russian wilted visibly. `
` `
` "You wouldn't dare----" `
` `
` "Oh, yes, I would, son!" `
` `
` Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried `
` conviction, for he said sullenly: `
` `
` "Well? Granted I do know who you mean--what of it?" `
` `
` "You will tell me now--right here--where she is to be found." `
` `
` Kramenin shook his head. `
` `
` "I daren't." `
` `
` "Why not?" `
` `
` "I daren't. You ask an impossibility." `
` `
` "Afraid, eh? Of whom? Mr. Brown? Ah, that tickles you up! `
` There is such a person, then? I doubted it. And the mere `
` mention of him scares you stiff!" `
` `
` "I have seen him," said the Russian slowly. "Spoken to him face `
` to face. I did not know it until afterwards. He was one of a `
` crowd. I should not know him again. Who is he really? I do not `
` know. But I know this--he is a man to fear." `
` `
` "He'll never know," said Julius. `
` `
` "He knows everything--and his vengeance is swift. Even `
` I--Kramenin!--would not be exempt!" `
` `
` "Then you won't do as I ask you?" `
` `
` "You ask an impossibility." `
` `
` "Sure that's a pity for you," said Julius cheerfully. "But the `
` world in general will benefit." He raised the revolver. `
` `
` "Stop," shrieked the Russian. "You cannot mean to shoot me?" `
` `
` "Of course I do. I've always heard you Revolutionists held life `
` cheap, but it seems there's a difference when it's your own life `
` in question. I gave you just one chance of saving your dirty `
` skin, and that you wouldn't take!" `
` `
` "They would kill me!" `
` `
` "Well," said Julius pleasantly, "it's up to you. But I'll just `
` say this. Little Willie here is a dead cert, and if I was you I'd `
` take a sporting chance with Mr. Brown!" `
` `
` "You will hang if you shoot me," muttered the Russian `
` irresolutely. `
` `
` "No, stranger, that's where you're wrong. You forget the `
` dollars. A big crowd of solicitors will get busy, and they'll get `
` some high-brow doctors on the job, and the end of it all will be `
` that they'll say my brain was unhinged. I shall spend a few `
` months in a quiet sanatorium, my mental health will improve, the `
` doctors will declare me sane again, and all will end happily for `
` little Julius. I guess I can bear a few months' retirement in `
` order to rid the world of you, but don't you kid yourself I'll `
` hang for it!" `
` `
` The Russian believed him. Corrupt himself, he believed `
` implicitly in the power of money. He had read of American murder `
` trials running much on the lines indicated by Julius. He had `
` bought and sold justice himself. This virile young American, with `
` the significant drawling voice, had the whip hand of him. `
` `
` "I'm going to count five," continued Julius, "and I guess, if you `
` let me get past four, you needn't worry any about Mr. Brown. `
` Maybe he'll send some flowers to the funeral, but YOU won't smell `
` them! Are you ready? I'll begin. One--two three--four----" `
` `
` The Russian interrupted with a shriek: `
` `
` "Do not shoot. I will do all you wish." `
` `
` Julius lowered the revolver. `
` `
` "I thought you'd hear sense. Where is the girl?" `
` `
` "At Gatehouse, in Kent. Astley Priors, the place is called." `
` `
` "Is she a prisoner there?" `
` `
` "She's not allowed to leave the house--though it's safe enough `
` really. The little fool has lost her memory, curse her!" `
` `
` "That's been annoying for you and your friends, I reckon. What `
` about the other girl, the one you decoyed away over a week ago?" `
` `
` "She's there too," said the Russian sullenly. `
` `
` "That's good," said Julius. "Isn't it all panning out `
` beautifully? And a lovely night for the run!" `
` `
` "What run?" demanded Kramenin, with a stare. `
` `
` "Down to Gatehouse, sure. I hope you're fond of motoring?" `
` `
` "What do you mean? I refuse to go." `
` `
` "Now don't get mad. You must see I'm not such a kid as to leave `
` you here. You'd ring up your friends on that telephone first `
` thing! Ah!" He observed the fall on the other's face. "You `
` see, you'd got it all fixed. No, sir, you're coming along with `
` me. This your bedroom next door here? Walk right in. Little `
` Willie and I will come behind. Put on a thick coat, that's `
` right. Fur lined? And you a Socialist! Now we're ready. We `
` walk downstairs and out through the hall to where my car's `
` waiting. And don't you forget I've got you covered every inch of `
` the way. I can shoot just as well through my coat pocket. One `
` word, or a glance even, at one of those liveried menials, and `
` there'll sure be a strange face in the Sulphur and Brimstone `
` Works!" `
` `
` Together they descended the stairs, and passed out to the waiting `
` car. The Russian was shaking with rage. The hotel servants `
` surrounded them. A cry hovered on his lips, but at the last `
` minute his nerve failed him. The American was a man of his word. `
` `
` When they reached the car, Julius breathed a sigh of relief. The `
` danger-zone was passed. Fear had successfully hypnotized the man `
` by his side. `
` `
` "Get in," he ordered. Then as he caught the other's sidelong `
` glance, "No, the chauffeur won't help you any. Naval man. Was on `
` a submarine in Russia when the Revolution broke out. A brother of `
` his was murdered by your people. George!" `
` `
` "Yes, sir?" The chauffeur turned his head. `
` `
` "This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik. We don't want to shoot `
` him, but it may be necessary. You understand?" `
` `
` "Perfectly, sir." `
` `
` "I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent. Know the road at all?" `
` `
` "Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half's run." `
` `
` "Make it an hour. I'm in a hurry." `
` `
` "I'll do my best, sir." The car shot forward through the `
` traffic. `
` `
` Julius ensconced himself comfortably by the side of his victim. `
` He kept his hand in the pocket of his coat, but his manner was `
` urbane to the last degree. `
` `
` "There was a man I shot once in Arizona----" he began cheerfully. `
` `
` At the end of the hour's run the unfortunate Kramenin was more `
` dead than alive. In succession to the anecdote of the Arizona `
` man, there had been a tough from 'Frisco, and an episode in the `
` Rockies. Julius's narrative style, if not strictly accurate, was `
` picturesque! `
` `
` Slowing down, the chauffeur called over his shoulder that they `
` were just coming into Gatehouse. Julius bade the Russian direct `
` them. His plan was to drive straight up to the house. There `
` Kramenin was to ask for the two girls. Julius explained to him `
` that Little Willie would not be tolerant of failure. Kramenin, by `
` this time, was as putty in the other's hands. The terrific pace `
` they had come had still further unmanned him. He had given `
` himself up for dead at every corner. `
` `
` The car swept up the drive, and stopped before the porch. The `
` chauffeur looked round for orders. `
` `
` "Turn the car first, George. Then ring the bell, and get back to `
` your place. Keep the engine going, and be ready to scoot like `
` hell when I give the word." `
` `
`
` would be doing humanity a good turn. But you needn't worry any. `
` I'm not proposing to kill you this trip--that is, if you're `
` reasonable." `
` `
` The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other's eyes. `
` He passed his tongue over his dry lips. `
` `
` "What do you want? Money?" `
` `
` "No. I want Jane Finn." `
` `
` "Jane Finn? I--never heard of her!" `
` `
` "You're a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean." `
` `
` "I tell you I've never heard of the girl." `
` `
` "And I tell you," retorted Julius, "that Little Willie here is `
` just hopping mad to go off!" `
` `
` The Russian wilted visibly. `
` `
` "You wouldn't dare----" `
` `
` "Oh, yes, I would, son!" `
` `
` Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried `
` conviction, for he said sullenly: `
` `
` "Well? Granted I do know who you mean--what of it?" `
` `
` "You will tell me now--right here--where she is to be found." `
` `
` Kramenin shook his head. `
` `
` "I daren't." `
` `
` "Why not?" `
` `
` "I daren't. You ask an impossibility." `
` `
` "Afraid, eh? Of whom? Mr. Brown? Ah, that tickles you up! `
` There is such a person, then? I doubted it. And the mere `
` mention of him scares you stiff!" `
` `
` "I have seen him," said the Russian slowly. "Spoken to him face `
` to face. I did not know it until afterwards. He was one of a `
` crowd. I should not know him again. Who is he really? I do not `
` know. But I know this--he is a man to fear." `
` `
` "He'll never know," said Julius. `
` `
` "He knows everything--and his vengeance is swift. Even `
` I--Kramenin!--would not be exempt!" `
` `
` "Then you won't do as I ask you?" `
` `
` "You ask an impossibility." `
` `
` "Sure that's a pity for you," said Julius cheerfully. "But the `
` world in general will benefit." He raised the revolver. `
` `
` "Stop," shrieked the Russian. "You cannot mean to shoot me?" `
` `
` "Of course I do. I've always heard you Revolutionists held life `
` cheap, but it seems there's a difference when it's your own life `
` in question. I gave you just one chance of saving your dirty `
` skin, and that you wouldn't take!" `
` `
` "They would kill me!" `
` `
` "Well," said Julius pleasantly, "it's up to you. But I'll just `
` say this. Little Willie here is a dead cert, and if I was you I'd `
` take a sporting chance with Mr. Brown!" `
` `
` "You will hang if you shoot me," muttered the Russian `
` irresolutely. `
` `
` "No, stranger, that's where you're wrong. You forget the `
` dollars. A big crowd of solicitors will get busy, and they'll get `
` some high-brow doctors on the job, and the end of it all will be `
` that they'll say my brain was unhinged. I shall spend a few `
` months in a quiet sanatorium, my mental health will improve, the `
` doctors will declare me sane again, and all will end happily for `
` little Julius. I guess I can bear a few months' retirement in `
` order to rid the world of you, but don't you kid yourself I'll `
` hang for it!" `
` `
` The Russian believed him. Corrupt himself, he believed `
` implicitly in the power of money. He had read of American murder `
` trials running much on the lines indicated by Julius. He had `
` bought and sold justice himself. This virile young American, with `
` the significant drawling voice, had the whip hand of him. `
` `
` "I'm going to count five," continued Julius, "and I guess, if you `
` let me get past four, you needn't worry any about Mr. Brown. `
` Maybe he'll send some flowers to the funeral, but YOU won't smell `
` them! Are you ready? I'll begin. One--two three--four----" `
` `
` The Russian interrupted with a shriek: `
` `
` "Do not shoot. I will do all you wish." `
` `
` Julius lowered the revolver. `
` `
` "I thought you'd hear sense. Where is the girl?" `
` `
` "At Gatehouse, in Kent. Astley Priors, the place is called." `
` `
` "Is she a prisoner there?" `
` `
` "She's not allowed to leave the house--though it's safe enough `
` really. The little fool has lost her memory, curse her!" `
` `
` "That's been annoying for you and your friends, I reckon. What `
` about the other girl, the one you decoyed away over a week ago?" `
` `
` "She's there too," said the Russian sullenly. `
` `
` "That's good," said Julius. "Isn't it all panning out `
` beautifully? And a lovely night for the run!" `
` `
` "What run?" demanded Kramenin, with a stare. `
` `
` "Down to Gatehouse, sure. I hope you're fond of motoring?" `
` `
` "What do you mean? I refuse to go." `
` `
` "Now don't get mad. You must see I'm not such a kid as to leave `
` you here. You'd ring up your friends on that telephone first `
` thing! Ah!" He observed the fall on the other's face. "You `
` see, you'd got it all fixed. No, sir, you're coming along with `
` me. This your bedroom next door here? Walk right in. Little `
` Willie and I will come behind. Put on a thick coat, that's `
` right. Fur lined? And you a Socialist! Now we're ready. We `
` walk downstairs and out through the hall to where my car's `
` waiting. And don't you forget I've got you covered every inch of `
` the way. I can shoot just as well through my coat pocket. One `
` word, or a glance even, at one of those liveried menials, and `
` there'll sure be a strange face in the Sulphur and Brimstone `
` Works!" `
` `
` Together they descended the stairs, and passed out to the waiting `
` car. The Russian was shaking with rage. The hotel servants `
` surrounded them. A cry hovered on his lips, but at the last `
` minute his nerve failed him. The American was a man of his word. `
` `
` When they reached the car, Julius breathed a sigh of relief. The `
` danger-zone was passed. Fear had successfully hypnotized the man `
` by his side. `
` `
` "Get in," he ordered. Then as he caught the other's sidelong `
` glance, "No, the chauffeur won't help you any. Naval man. Was on `
` a submarine in Russia when the Revolution broke out. A brother of `
` his was murdered by your people. George!" `
` `
` "Yes, sir?" The chauffeur turned his head. `
` `
` "This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik. We don't want to shoot `
` him, but it may be necessary. You understand?" `
` `
` "Perfectly, sir." `
` `
` "I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent. Know the road at all?" `
` `
` "Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half's run." `
` `
` "Make it an hour. I'm in a hurry." `
` `
` "I'll do my best, sir." The car shot forward through the `
` traffic. `
` `
` Julius ensconced himself comfortably by the side of his victim. `
` He kept his hand in the pocket of his coat, but his manner was `
` urbane to the last degree. `
` `
` "There was a man I shot once in Arizona----" he began cheerfully. `
` `
` At the end of the hour's run the unfortunate Kramenin was more `
` dead than alive. In succession to the anecdote of the Arizona `
` man, there had been a tough from 'Frisco, and an episode in the `
` Rockies. Julius's narrative style, if not strictly accurate, was `
` picturesque! `
` `
` Slowing down, the chauffeur called over his shoulder that they `
` were just coming into Gatehouse. Julius bade the Russian direct `
` them. His plan was to drive straight up to the house. There `
` Kramenin was to ask for the two girls. Julius explained to him `
` that Little Willie would not be tolerant of failure. Kramenin, by `
` this time, was as putty in the other's hands. The terrific pace `
` they had come had still further unmanned him. He had given `
` himself up for dead at every corner. `
` `
` The car swept up the drive, and stopped before the porch. The `
` chauffeur looked round for orders. `
` `
` "Turn the car first, George. Then ring the bell, and get back to `
` your place. Keep the engine going, and be ready to scoot like `
` hell when I give the word." `
` `
`