"
I don't know just what he saw in my eyes; but it seemed to bother him.
He fidgeted a little; as he approached the crucial point, his gaze
evaded mine.
"Now, then, we'll come down to brass tacks, Mr. Bayne," said he. "I
don't know what kind of story the girl told you; but I know it wasn't
the truth or you wouldn't be here. That's sure. She's a German agent;
she's come to get the Germans some papers that they want about as bad as
anything under heaven. There's one man who tried the job already. He
got killed for his pains; but he hid the papers before he died, and she
knows where; and she's on her way to get them and carry the business
through. I don't say she hasn't plenty of courage. Why, she's gone up
against the whole of France; but I guess you're not very anxious to be
mixed up in this underhand, spying sort of matter, eh?"
My hands were doubling themselves with automatic vigor. I
wanted--consumedly--to knock the fellow down. However, I controlled
myself.
"What's your offer?" I asked.
"It's this." He was obviously relieved, positively swelling in his
tolerant, good-humored patronage.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163