Part 23 (1/2)
”Young woman,” Burke said, peremptorily, ”the Twentieth Century Limited leaves Grand Central Station at four o'clock. It arrives in Chicago at eight-fifty-five to-morrow morning.” He pulled a ma.s.sive gold watch from his waistcoat pocket, glanced at it, thrust it back, and concluded ponderously: ”You will just about have time to catch that train.”
Mary regarded the stockily built officer with a half-amused contempt, which she was at no pains to conceal.
”Working for the New York Central now?” she asked blandly.
The gibe made the Inspector furious.
”I'm working for the good of New York City,” he answered venomously.
Mary let a ripple of cadenced laughter escape her.
”Since when?” she questioned.
A little smile twisted the lips of the District Attorney, but he caught himself quickly, and spoke with stern gravity.
”Miss Turner, I think you will find that a different tone will serve you better.”
”Oh, let her talk,” Burke interjected angrily. ”She's only got a few minutes anyway.”
Mary remained unperturbed.
”Very well, then,” she said genially, ”let us be comfortable during that little period.” She made a gesture of invitation toward chairs, which Burke disdained to accept; but Demarest seated himself.
”You'd better be packing your trunk,” the Inspector rumbled.
”But why?” Mary inquired, with a tantalizing a.s.sumption of innocence.
”I'm not going away.”
”On the Twentieth Century Limited, this afternoon,” the Inspector declared, in a voice of growing wrath.
”Oh, dear, no!” Mary's a.s.sertion was made very quietly, but with an underlying firmness that irritated the official beyond endurance.
”I say yes!” The answer was a bellow.
Mary appeared distressed, not frightened. Her words were an ironic protest against the man's obstreperous noisiness, no more.
”I thought you wanted quiet words with me.”
Burke went toward her, in a rage.
”Now, look here, Mollie----” he began harshly.
On the instant, Mary was on her feet, facing him, and there was a gleam in her eyes as they met his that bade him pause.
”Miss Turner, if you don't mind.” She laughed slightly. ”For the present, anyway.” She reseated herself tranquilly.
Burke was checked, but he retained his severity of bearing.
”I'm giving you your orders. You will either go to Chicago, or you'll go up the river.”