Part 3 (1/2)
”Who?”
”Never mind who. You'll be there in the car.”
”Whose car?”
”Never mind whose. Why're you askin' so many questions? It'll take you an' the four to The Montmorency at ten o'clock. When he comes out every one of you let go, the whole bunch, understand. If they don't find five bullets in him there'll be trouble to-morrow.”
”What do we get out of it?”
”A hundred apiece fer you an' a hundred an' fifty fer me fer engineerin'
the job. Christmas money! You get me?”
”Of course. How'll we know who we've got to shoot?”
”I'll be there myself on the sidewalk. I'll point him out to you.”
”The police?”
”They're fixed.”
”Easy enough,” said the Kid, the youngest of the gang.
”Well, you guys,” said the leader pointing out four of the men, ”will go with the Kid. The car'll be at the door in half an hour.”
”Now, gimme my orders,” said Red.
The gang leader scribbled something on a bit of paper.
”You go to that number with these two guys between midnight an' two in the mornin'. You'll find a back winder open. Here's the combination of the safe. The silver'll be in that.”
”Jewels?”
”In a wall cabinet upstairs. It'll be unlocked.”
”An' if they make any noise?”
”Croak 'em, of course. But don't make no noise doin' it. Better use a blackjack. We're not sure about the cop on that beat.”
”I understand.”
”Well, git your gats and make ready. Before we go, the drinks'll be on me. Fill up, men,” he added, first pouring himself a liberal gla.s.sful, ”an' here's to bringin' it off easy.”
With deep relish the toast was drunk by all save Red and the Kid. Red set his gla.s.s down on the table. The Kid dropped his to the floor.
”There's somebody else in the room,” whispered Red.
”Yes, yonder by the door,” said the Kid. ”You c'n jest see him.”
”Don't be a fool,” said the gang leader. ”There's n.o.body here but us.”