Part 10 (1/2)
”I don't know. It's a strange mixup. I'm not on the story, mind you; but I was in the locality of Duffy's warehouse late last night and fell into a gunman rumpus.”
”Yes, I read about that. What were they after?”
”You've got me there. No one seems to know. Some c.o.c.k and bull story about there being something valuable. There was.”
”What was it? The report in this paper does not say.”
”Ten thousand bags of coffee.”
Braine lay back in his chair and laughed.
”If you want my opinion,” said Norton, ”I believe the gunmen were out to shoot up another gang, and the police got wind of it.”
”Don't you think it about time the police called a halt in this gunman matter?”
”Oh, so long as they pot each other the police look the other way. It saves a long trial and pa.s.sage up the river. Besides, when they are nabbed some big politician manages to open the door for them. Great is the American voter.”
”Take Mr. Norton's order, Luigi,” said Braine.
”A German pancake, b.u.t.tered toast and coffee,” ordered the reporter.
”Man, eat something!”
”It's enough for me.”
”And you'll go all the rest of the day on tobacco. I know something of you chaps. I don't see how you manage to do it.”
”Food is the least of our troubles. By the way, may I ask you a few questions? Nothing for print, unless you've got a new book coming.”
”Fire away.”
”What do you know about the Countess Perigoff?”
”Let me see. H'm. Met her first about a year ago at a reception given to Nasimova. A very attractive woman. I see quite a lot of her. Why?”
”Well, she claims to be a sort of aunt to Hargreave's daughter.”
”She said something to me about that the other night. You never know where you're at in this world, do you?”
The German pancake, the toast, the coffee disappeared, and the reporter pa.s.sed his cigars.
”The president visits town to-day and I'm off to watch the show. I suppose I'll have to interview him about the tariff and all that rot.
When you start on a new book let me know and I'll be your press agent.”
”That's a bargain.”
”Thanks for the breakfast.”
Braine picked up his newspaper, smoked and read. He smoked, yes, but he only pretended to read. The young fool was clever, but no man is infallible. He had not the least suspicion; he saw only the newspaper story. Still, in some manner he might stumble upon the truth, and it would be just as well to tie the reporter's hands effectually.
The rancor of early morning had been subdued; anger and quick temper never paid in the long run, and no one appreciated this fact better than Braine. To put Norton out of the way temporarily was only a wise precaution; it was not a matter of spite or reprisal.