Part 58 (1/2)

”You told him I had sent for you, Ernie. Don't lie. I know you did.

It's all right. So, you see, my little strategy worked out beautifully.

I want to see d.i.c.k quite as much as I do you. We'll wait until he comes up to see what's happened to you.”

Ernie hesitated, then broke out with an uneasy note in his voice. ”You said it would be worth a thousand and maybe more to me. Well, I'm square with d.i.c.k. He divides with me. I want to let him in on anything good that comes my way.”

”I see. You are willing to divide with him, so you are going to let him in on condition that he will do _all_ the dirty work while you sit back and boss the job. I see. You are a great financier, Ernie.”

”You ought to see my new flat over in Eighth Street,” said Ernie proudly, quite taken in by the Colonel's none too gentle sarcasm.

”You don't share that with d.i.c.k, I imagine.”

”Well, hardly!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed d.i.c.k's brother. Suddenly his uneasiness developed into a sort of whining protest. ”Say, if you got anything to say to me, say it. I got to be moving along. If I can make a thousand honestly, I'm on the job. What's--”

”We'll wait for d.i.c.k,” observed the Colonel coolly. He took his time to light a long cigar, the hunchback looking on with curiosity and doubt in his s.h.i.+fty eyes. Then he handed a cigar to his guest. ”Have a cigar.

I'd offer you a drink, only I don't believe in drinking between friends. Only enemies drink to each other, Ernie. Bear that in mind.

Unconscious enemies.”

”I don't drink,” was the surly rejoinder.

Precisely ten minutes later Colonel Grand got up from his chair. In three strides he was at the door; he turned the key and--

There was d.i.c.k Cronk leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the hallway, his hands in his pockets, his long legs crossed, his ”dicer” on the back of his head. There was no evidence of surprise or confusion in his face; he was as composed, as serene, as if the expected had occurred. A bland smile greeted the triumphant Colonel.

”Evening, Colonel. Have you seen anything of a lost boy around here?”

The other stood aside, giving him a fair view of the room. ”Come in, d.i.c.k. I've been expecting you,” he said quietly.

d.i.c.k stared for a second or two longer than he might have done under less trying conditions.

”No, thanks. I'll wait out here,” he said dryly. He did not change his att.i.tude in the least.

”We've been waiting for you,” said the Colonel. ”We can't proceed without you. Do me the honor to step into my parlor.” He bowed very deeply.

”'Said the spider to the fly,'” quoth d.i.c.k, s.h.i.+fting his foot.

Ernie appeared behind Colonel Grand. He indicated by a significant motion of his head that d.i.c.k was to enter, and without delay. Slowly the long pickpocket unwound his legs. He then removed his hands from his pockets, after which he coolly strode into the room. The door was closed quickly after him. There was an inscrutable smile on his face, even before the sharp exclamation of concern fell from the lips of Colonel Grand.

”I've got the key here in my hand, Colonel,” he observed, with his gentlest smile. The older man glared for a moment and then broke into a short, even admiring laugh.

”You are a wonder, d.i.c.k. You must have wished it out of the door. I'll swear my hand hasn't been off the k.n.o.b since I opened it a minute ago.

How do you do it?”

”Simple twist of the wrist--_presto visto_, as the feller'd say. Don't worry. I'll leave it in the door when I depart. And say, while we're exchanging compliments, allow me to hand you one. You're something of a wizard, too. I don't wonder you always win at poker if you can see through an oak door as easy as all that.”

”We'd better lock the door,” urged the other, paying no heed to the remark.

”All right. But, if you don't mind, I'll keep the key.” He locked the door and then turned toward Ernie, sudden comprehension in his face.

”Oh, you told him I came over with you. That explains it.” Ernie protested. He would have repeated the entire conversation that had taken place if the Colonel had not stopped him with considerable acerbity.

”You can talk that over afterwards,” he said sharply. Ernie winced.