Part 37 (2/2)
”Perhaps... Let it go at that. I'm not interested--never did care for fairy tales.”
”Don't go yet. There is still much to be said on both sides of the argument.”
”Has there been one?”
”Besides, I promised you news from Antwerp.”
”To be sure,” Lanyard said, and paused, his curiosity at length engaged.
Wertheimer delved into the breast-pocket of his dress-coat and produced a blue telegraph-form, handing it to the adventurer.
Of even date, from Antwerp, it read:
”_Underworld--Paris--Greggs arrested today boarding steamer for America after desperate struggle killed himself immediately afterward poison no confession--Q-2._”
”_Underworld?_” Lanyard queried blankly.
”Our telegraphic address, of course. 'Q-2' is our chief factor in Antwerp.”
”So they got Greggs!”
”Stupid oaf,” Wertheimer observed; ”I've no sympathy for him. The whole affair was a blunder, from first to last.”
”But you got Greggs out and burned Troyon's--!”
”Still our friends at the Prefecture weren't satisfied. Something must have roused their suspicions.”
”You don't know what?”
”There must have been a leak somewhere--”
”If so, it would certainly have led the police to me, after all the pains you were at to saddle me with the crime. There's something more than simple treachery in this, Mr. Wertheimer.”
”Perhaps you're right,” said the other thoughtfully.
”And it doesn't speak well for the discipline of your precious organization--granting, for the sake of the argument, the possibility of such nonsense.”
”Well, well, have your own way about that. I don't insist, so long as you agree to join forces with me.”
”Oh, it's with you alone, now--is it? Not with that insane fiction, the International Underworld Unlimited?”
”With me alone. I offer you a clear field. Go where you like, do what you will--I wouldn't have the cheek to attempt to guide or influence you.”
Lanyard kept himself in hand with considerable difficulty.
”But you?” he asked. ”Where do you come in?”
<script>