Part 43 (1/2)
”I am not alarmed,” replied Norton. ”I am only chagrined. Since General Henderson is not to be found here I must be excused.”
”I will excuse you presently.”
”Ah! I begin to see.”
”Indeed!” mocked Braine.
”I have tumbled or walked into a trap.”
”A keen mind like yours must have recognized that fact the moment you discovered that I was not the general.”
”I am indebted to the Black Hundred?” coolly.
”Precisely. We do not wish you ill, Mr. Norton.”
”To be sure, no!” ironically. ”What with falling safes, poisoned cigarettes, and so forth, I can readily see that you have my welfare at heart. What puzzled me was the suddenness with which these affectionate signs ceased.”
”You're a man of heart,” said Braine with genuine admiration. ”These affectionate signs, as you call them, ceased because for the time being you ceased to be a menace. You have become that once more, and here you are!”
”And what are you going to do with me now that you have got me?”
”There will be two courses.” Braine reached into a drawer and drew out a thick roll of bills. ”There are here something like $5,000.”
”Quite a tidy sum; enough for a chap to get married on.”
The two eyed each other steadily. And in his heart Braine sighed. For he saw in this young man's eyes incorruptibility.
”It is yours on one condition,” said Braine, reaching out his foot stealthily toward the b.u.t.ton which would summon Samson.
”And that is,” interpolated Norton, ”that I join the Black Hundred.”
”Or the great beyond, my lad,” took up Braine, his voice crisp and cold.
Norton could not repress a s.h.i.+ver. Where had he heard this voice before? ... Braine! He stiffened.
”Murder in cold blood?” he managed to say.
”Indefinite imprisonment. Choose.”
”I have chosen.”
”H'm!” Braine rose and went over to the sideboard for the brandy.
”I'm going to offer you a drink to show you that personally there are no hard feelings. You are in the way. After you, our friend, Jones.
This brandy is not poisoned, neither are the gla.s.ses. Choose either and I'll drink first. We are all desperate men, Norton; and we stop at nothing. Your life hangs by a hair. Do you know where Hargreave is?”
Norton eyed his liquor thoughtfully.
”Do you know where the money is?”
Norton smelt of the brandy.