His Last Bow Part 15 (1/2)
”So it's nit quite as sio that I had it ures?”
”It's beyond ust for the word, and 1914 for the figures, and here we are”
The American's face showed his surprise and admiration
”My, but that was s”
”Yes, a few of us even then could have guessed the date Here it is , and I'uess you'll have to fix ol-darned country all on my lonesome In a week or less, fros and fair ra I'd rather watch him from over the water”
”But you're an American citizen?”
”Well, so was Jack Ja time in Portland all the same It cuts no ice with a British copper to tell him you're an American citizen 'It's British law and order over here,' says he By the way,of Jack James, it seems to me you don't do much to cover your men”
”What do you mean?” Von Bork asked sharply
”Well, you are their employer, ain't you? It's up to you to see that they don't fall down But they do fall down, and when did you ever pick them up? There's James--”
”It was James's own fault You know that yourself He was too self-willed for the job”
”Jaive you that Then there was Hollis”
”The man was mad”
”Well, he went a bit woozy towards the end It's enough toto night with a hundred guys all ready to set the coppers wise to him But now there is Steiner--”
Von Bork started violently, and his ruddy face turned a shade paler
”What about Steiner?”
”Well, they've got hiht, and he and his papers are all in Portso off and he, poor devil, will have to stand the racket, and lucky if he gets off with his life That's why I want to get over the water as soon as you do”
Von Bork was a strong, self-contained man, but it was easy to see that the news had shaken hiot on to Steiner?” he muttered ”That's the worst blow yet”
”Well, you nearly had a worse one, for I believe they are not far offMy landlady down Fratton way had souessed it was time for me to hustle But what I want to know, s? Steiner is the fifth ned on with you, and I know the naet a move on How do you explain it, and ain't you ashao down like this?”
Von Bork flushed crimson
”How dare you speak in such a way!”
”If I didn't dare things, mister, I wouldn't be in your service But I'll tell you straight what is in my ent has done his work you are not sorry to see hi to his feet
”Do you dare to suggest that I have given away ents!”
”I don't stand for that, eon or a cross somewhere, and it's up to you to find out where it is Anyhow I a no more chances It's me for little Holland, and the sooner the better”
Von Bork hadto quarrel now at the very hour of victory,” he said ”You've done splendid work and taken risks, and I can't forget it By all et a boat from Rotterdam to New York No other line will be safe a week from now I'll take that book and pack it with the rest”
The American held the sive it up
”What about the dough?” he asked
”The what?”
”The boodle The reward The 500 pounds The gunner turned damned nasty at the last, and I had to square him with an extra hundred dollars or it would have been nitsky for you and me 'Nothin' doin'!' says he, and he meant it, too, but the last hundred did it It's cost me two hundred pound froettin' my wad”
Von Bork sh opinion of ive up the book”
”Well, ht Have your way” He sat down at the table and scribbled a check, which he tore fro it to his companion ”After all, since we are to be on such terms, Mr Altamont,” said he, ”I don't see why I should trust you anyback over his shoulder at the Aht to examine that parcel before you pick the money up”
The American passed it over without a word Von Bork undid a winding of string and trappers of paper Then he sat dazing for a moment in silent amazement at a small blue book which lay before hiolden letters Practical Handbook of Bee Culture Only for one instant did the ely irrelevant inscription The next he was gripped at the back of his neck by a grasp of iron, and a chlorofor face
”Another glass, Watson!” said Mr Sherlock Holmes as he extended the bottle of Imperial Tokay
The thickset chauffeur, who had seated hierness
”It is a good wine, Holmes”
”A remarkable wine, Watson Our friend upon the sofa has assured me that it is froht I trouble you to open the , for chloroform vapour does not help the palate”
The safe was ajar, and Hol dossier after dossier, swiftly exa it neatly in Von Bork's valise The Ger stertorously with a strap round his upper ars
”We need not hurry ourselves, Watson We are safe fro the bell? There is no one in the house except old Martha, who has played her part to adot her the situation here when first I took the lad to hear that all is well”
The pleasant old lady had appeared in the doorway She curtseyed with a slanced with soure upon the sofa
”It is all right, Martha He has not been hurt at all”
”I ahts he has been a kind o with his wife to Germany yesterday, but that would hardly have suited your plans, would it, sir?”