Part 43 (2/2)
He waved a hand at me with debonair insouciance.
I waited for him without moving, my fingers on the b.u.t.t of the revolver at my side.
”So happy to meet you again, dear friend,” he jeered as soon as he was within hail.
”What are you doing here? How did you get out?” I demanded.
”My simple-minded youth, money goes a long way among the natives. I bought my way out, since you are curious to know.”
”And you've followed us down here to make more trouble?”
”To renew our little private war. How did you guess it?”
”So you haven't had enough yet. You have come back to take another licking.”
”It's a long lane that has no turning,” he a.s.sured me gaily. ”I give you my word that I've reached the bend, Mr. Sedgwick.”
His confident audacity got on my nerves. On the surface we had all the best of the game. The trouble was that he knew the cards I held, whereas I could only guess at his.
”You are the most unmitigated villain not yet hanged!” I cried in rage.
He bowed, rakish and smiling, with all the airs of a dancing master.
”I fear you flatter me, sir.”
”I warn you to keep your hands off. We're ready for you.”
”I thought it only fair to warn _you_. That is why I am here and have the pleasure of talking with you.”
”More lies. You showed yourself only because you knew I had seen your footprints.”
He gave up the point with an easy laugh.
”But really I did want to talk with you. We have many interests in common. Our taste in women, for instance. By the way, did you leave Evie well?”
Triumph swam in the eyes, narrowed to slits, through which he watched me. I could not understand his derisive confidence.
”We'll not discuss that,” I told him bluntly.
”As you say. I come to another common interest--the treasure. Is it running up to our hopes?”
So he knew that we had found it. No doubt he had been watching us all day through the telescope that hung at his side.
”We don't recognize any hopes you may have.”
”But why not face facts? I intend to own the treasure when you have dug it up for me.”
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