Adventure, December 1914 — page 127: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A Man With Nine Lives a word. We don’t want any scene, and we have nothing to say to you.”’ “T think it is possible that you have noth- ing which you wish to say to me, Mr. Issa- char; but there is something which I must say to you, so I am going to say it. Now, my child!” The last words were addressed to the ju- venile clerk who still peered into the cham- ber. Without any warning of his intention Mr. Adair thrust him back, drew the door to, locked it, and pocketed the key. Both partners showed signs of being excited. “None of that, Adair!’ cried Mr. Dan- iel. ‘“‘None of that. Don’t you think we'll stand that sort of thing—because we won't. You put back the key into the lock and open the door.” “Tf you don’t,” chimed in his partner, “T shall ring the bell, and I shall have the police sent for. You’d cut a pretty figure in the dock at Bow Street.” “T’m thinking that you’d look rather well in that position, Issachar; and it’s one which I shouldn’t wonder if you very shortly filled. ‘Don’t you worry yourselves, my good sirs. You can ring the bell—you can ring half a dozen bells; you can make any sort of noise you like. “I’m not going to leave this room, nor am I going to allow our interview to be in- terrupted, until I have said all that I have to say to you. Don’t make a fuss. You'll dono good. You’rea pretty pair of rascals!” With an air of the utmost affability the visitor took a seat which he drew close to the table. He had not removed his hat, and he carried in his hand a cane with which, leaning over, he tapped Mr. Issachar play- fully on the arm. Mr. Issachar objected. “Don’t you touch me with your stick!” he cried. ‘“‘That’s assault and battery; I warn you that you'll be made to pay for it. We’re not going to stand any more of your nonsense, are we, Daniel?” -He appealed to his partner in the appar- ent hope’ that his corroboration would have on him that bracing effect of which he clearly stood in need. Mr. Daniel sus- tained him with all the emphasis at his command. ‘We are not! Don’t let him make any error. You be careful, Adair—by gosh, you'd better! I ask you once more, before Mr. Issachar rings the bell—are you going to leave this room or are we to send for the police?”’ 125 Ignoring the inquiry, Mr. Adair held out a sheet of paper. ‘“‘Which of you—animals wrote this? Or was it written by some starveling clerk in accordance with your instructions? It’s a letter received this morning by Miss Dennis, of the Dovecote, Putney. It purports to have come from this office. Did it?” Both gentlemen seemed reluctant to speak. They glanced at each other as if unpleasantly surprised. Presently Mr. Daniel made a suggestion. ‘‘Let me see what the letter is. How can I tell what it is without looking? It may be anything. Let me look at it.” “You can look at it from where you are —I’ve told you what it is, and you know. Now what am I to do with you two beau- ties? Issachar, hadn’t you better ring for the police? You have been trying to get money by means of threats and false pre- tenses out of an unprotected woman — you’ve had some out of her already. “‘Where’s this bill of sale of which you speak in this letter? Do you hear, Issa- char?” He raised his voice so suddenly that the gentleman addressed gave a little jump. “Will you answer me or must I throw you from the window?” A gray tint seemed to be showing through the bristles about Mr. Issachar’s unshaven jaw and chin. His hands were tremulous. “It’s like this, Mr. Adair. Ill tell you how it was, and Daniel here will bear me out. We were instructed by Mr. Creed some time before he—was murdered to act for him in that matter; and—well—in a way we continue to act for him.” ‘So it seems—in a way. And how about me? Where doI come in? Were you, ina way, acting for me?”’ ‘‘Not—not exactly, Mr. Adair.’”’ All at once Mr. Issachar became confidential. His demeanor suggested that he was trying to get his courage up. “It’s like this. Dll just tell you how it was. You see, the ac- counts got a little confused. Mr. Creed owed us money and we took over certain little matters, as it were, to balance what he owed us. That’s how it was, isn’t it, Mr. Daniel?” ‘“‘That’s how it was, Mr. Issachar. Yes, Mr. Adair, that’s exactly as it was—as Issachar says.” Mr. Daniel seemed to do his best to look as if he believed his own words and his MICLOOOLK (C©@