Part 24 (1/2)
”I think,” announced the lady thoughtfully, ”that you are one of the slickest young liars I ever listened to”
”That must be considerable eminence,” considered P Sybarite with humility
”On the other hand, you're unquestionably a perfect little gentle to take you at your word and trust you If you ever change your ot to do is to coht? You're willing to go a bit out of your way to do ht”
”Very well” Mrs Inche rose ”Wait here a nificently out of the ”den,” and a e of vision as she ascended the stairs Then she disappeared, and there was silence in the house: a breathing spell which the littleto assort and rearrange his sadly disordered impressions
Aware that he would probably do wisely to rise and flee the place, he none the less lingered, vastly intrigued and h to the end
His confused reverie was presently interrupted by the sound of the woh, clear voice at a telephone located (he fancied) somewhere in the hallway of the second story
”hello! Columbus, seven, four hundred, please hello--Mason?
Taxicab, please--Mrs Jefferson Inche Yes--charge
Yes--immediately Thank you!”
Aa wrap of some sort over her arm: a circumstance which caused P Sybarite uneasily to wonder if she meant to push her notorious indifference to convention to the li out in a taxicab with no other addition to her airy costuain entered the ”den,” it proved to be a man's coat and soft hat that she had found for hie to these before you get pinched for i an officer I've called a taxi for you, and this is what I want you to do: go to Dutch House--that's a dive on Fortieth Street--”
”I've heard of it,” nodded P Sybarite ”Any sober man who stays away from it is almost perfectly safe, I believe”
”I'll back you to take care of yourself,” said the lady ”Ask for Red Novester? Yes”
”If he isn't in, wait for hiht--”
”Important as all that, eh?”
”It's life or death to ot to have protection--you've seen yourself how had I need it And the police are not for the likes ofcandour, ”if I squeal and tell the truth, then friend husband will be disinherited for sure, and I'll have had all ”
”You make it perfectly clear, Mrs Inche And when I see Mr Red November--?”
”Say to him three words: _Nella wants you_ He'll understand Then you can go hoet out alive”
”You're safe if you don't drink anything there”
”Doubtless; but I'll feel safer if you'll lendin one hand her auto in it?”
”Three shots left, I believe No es and you can reload the clip in the taxicab Not that you're likely to need it at Dutch House”
From the street rose the rumble of a motor, punctuated by a horn that honked