[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
We ll�open�the�door.�You ll�be�indignant. losing�my�temper.�But�Sergeant�Ackley�took�me�
into�custody,�very�much�against�my�will,�earlier�
O.K., �Beaver�said,� let s�go.
in�the�evening.�Disregarding�my�demands�that�I�
be�taken�before�a�magistrate,�he�dragged�me�
They�raised�their�voices�in�loud�and�
aboard�that�train�and�forced�me�to�accompany�
angry�altercation.�Beaver�flung�open�the�closet�
him.�I�didn t�dare�disobey�him.�However,�when�
door�and�said:
he�made�this�infamous�proposal�to�me,�I�felt�
that�I�was�well�within�my�rights�as�a�citizen�in�
I�think�it s�the�most�contemptible�thing�
couching�my�refusal�in�no�uncertain�language�
I�ever�heard�of.
and�in�defending�myself�against�attack.�I�trust�I�
haven t�done�wrong,�sir.
Go�ahead�and�be�a�dumb�cluck,�then, �
Sergeant�Ackley�roared.� You�keep�playing�
The�police�officers�stared�in�amazement�
around�with�this�crook�and�you ll�wind�up�
at�the�spy.�Lester�Leith�regarded�the�limp�form�
behind�the�bars.�You re�a�crook�yourself!
of�Sergeant�Ackley�with�eyes�that�were�half�
closed�in�thoughtful�concentration.�At�length�he�
Liar! �Beaver�shouted.
said:
Sergeant�Ackley�lunged�a�terrific�swing�
No,�Beaver,�you ve�done�exactly�what�I�
at�Beaver s�jaw.
should�have�done�under�similar�circumstances.�I�
distinctly�saw�Sergeant�Ackley�make�an�
The�undercover�man,�moving�with�the�
unprovoked�assault�upon�you.
swift�dexterity�of�a�trained�boxer,�stepped�
inside�of�the�blow.�For�a�fraction�of�a�second,�he�
Turning�to�the�two�officers,�Beaver�said:�
set�himself.�A�look�of�supreme�enjoyment�
And�I�call�on�you�two�gentlemen�to�be�witness�
became�apparent�on�his�face.�He�moved�his�
to�what�has�happened.�I�demand�that�you�take�
right�in�a�short,�pivoting�jab�which�caught�
Sergeant�Ackley�out�of�here.�I�think,�when�he�
Sergeant�Ackley�on�the�point�of�the�jaw.
recovers�consciousness,�he�will�be�the�first�to�
tell�you�that�I�have�done�exactly�what�the�
Ackley s�head�snapped�back.�The�force�
situation�called�for.
of�the�punch�lifted�him�from�the�floor,�slammed�
him�back�into�the�arms�of�the�two�detectives.
One�of�the�detectives�returned�the�spy s�
wink.� O.K.,�Beaver, �he�said,� you�win.�Come�
One�of�the�detectives�reached�for�his�
on,�Al.�Give�me�a�hand�and�we ll�drag�the�sarge�
blackjack.�The�other�dragged�out�a�gun.�Beaver�
out�of�here�before�there s�any�more�trouble.
whirled�to�face�them,�so�that�his�back�was�to�
Lester�Leith.�He�gave�a�series�of�warning�winks�
When�the�door�had�closed�behind�them,�
and�said:
Beaver�said�to�Lester�Leith:� Disloyalty,�sir,�is�
one�of�my�pet�abominations.�I�detest�one�who�is�
I�call�on�you�to�witness�that�he�struck�
disloyal.�I�couldn t�restrain�myself.
me�first,�after�accusing�me�of�being�a�crook.�Do�
I�don t�blame�you�in�the�least, �Lester�
The�spy�said,� Perhaps�tomorrow,�when�
Leith�said.� I m�surprised�that�Sergeant�Ackley�
you re�feeling�rested
had�the�temerity�to�arrest�you�and�drag�you�
aboard�that�train.
No,�not�tomorrow,�Scuttle.
So�am�I,�sir, �the�spy�said.�And�then,�
The�spy�did�not�press�the�point.� Very�
with�a�look�of�cunning�in�his�eyes,�added:�
well,�sir, �he�said.
Incidentally,�sir,�while�I�was�with�them�in�the�
drawing�room,�I�heard�them�discussing�a�crime�
By�the�way,�Scuttle, �Leith�commented,�
which�was�committed�no�later�than�last�night;�a�
I�think�I d�like�a�brandy,�and�you d�better�join�
crime�involving�a�drugged�guard
me.�I�derived�a�great�deal�of�satisfaction�from�
the�way�you�hung�that�punch�on�Sergeant�
Lester�Leith�held�up�his�hand,�palm�
Ackley s�jaw.
outward.� Not�now,�Scuttle, �he�said.� I�don t�
want�to�hear�it.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]