the drums of jeopardy-第38章

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that；　having　married　Cutty；　she　might　actually　fall　in　love　with
some　other　man　later？　　She　could　still　go　through　the　mummery　as
Cutty　had　planned；　but　what　about　all　the　sublime　generosity　of
the　preceding　night？

A　queer　feeling　pervaded　her：　She　was　a　marionette；　a　human
manikin；　and　some　invisible　hand　was　pulling　the　wires　that　made
her　do　all　these　absurd　things。　　Her　own　mind　no　longer　controlled
her　actions。　　The　persistence　of　that　waltz！　　It　had　haunted　her；
broken　into　her　dreams；　awakened　her　out　of　them。　　Why　should　she
be　afraid？　　What　was　there　to　be　afraid　of　in　a　recurring　melody？
She　had　heard　a　dozen　famed　violinists　play　it。　　It　had　never
before　affected　her　beyond　a　flash　of　emotionalism。　　Perhaps　it
was　the　romantic　misfortune　of　the　man；　the　mystery　surrounding
him；　the　menace　which　walled　him　in。

Breakfast。　　Human　manikins　had　appetites。　　So　she　made　her
breakfast。　　Before　leaving　the　kitchen　she　stopped　at　the　window。
The　sun　filled　the　court　with　brilliant　light。　　The　patches　of
rust　on　the　fire…escape　ladder；　which　was　on　the　Gregor　side　of
the　platform；　had　the　semblance　of　powdered　gold。

Half　an　hour　later　she　was　speeding　downtown　to　the　office。　　All
through　the　day　she　walked；　worked；　talked　as　one　in　the　state　of
trance。　　There　were　periods　of　stupefaction　which　at　length　roused
Burlingame's　curiosity。

〃Kitty；　what's　the　matter　with　you？　　You　look　dazed　about　something。〃

〃How　do　you　clean　a　pipe？〃　she　countered；　irrelevantly。

〃Clean　a　pipe？〃　he　repeated；　nearly　overbalancing　his　chair。

〃Yes。　　You　see；　I　may　make　up　my　mind　to　marry　a　man　who　smokes　a
pipe；〃　said　Kitty；　desperately；　eager　to　steer　Burlingame　into
another　channel；　〃and　certainly　I　ought　to　know　how　to　clean　one。〃

〃Kitty；　I'm　an　old…timer。　　You　can't　sidetrack　me　like　this。
Something　has　happened。　　You　say　you　had　a　great　time　in　the
country；　and　you　come　in　as　pale　as　the　moon；　like　someone
suffering　from　shell　shock。　　Ever　since　Cutty　came　in　here　that
day　you've　been　acting　oddly。　　You　may　not　know　it；　but　Cutty
asked　me　to　send　you　out　of　town。　　You've　been　in　some　kind　of
danger。　　What's　the　yarn？〃

〃So　big　that　no　newspaper　will　ever　publish　it；　Burly。　　If　Cutty
wants　to　tell　you　some　day　he　can。　　I　haven't　the　right　to。〃

〃Did　he　drag　you　into　it　or　did　you　fall　into　it？〃

〃I　walked　into　it；　as　presently　I　shall　walk　out　of　it　…　all　on　my
own。

〃Better　keep　your　eyes　open。　　Cutty's　a　stormy　petrel；　when　he
flies　there's　rough　weather。〃

〃What　do　you　know　about　him？〃

〃Probably　what　he　has　already　told　you　…　that　he　is　a　foreign　agent
of　the　Government。　　What　do　you　know？〃

〃Everything　but　one　thing；　and　that's　a　problem　particularly　my　own。〃

〃Alien　stuff；　I　suppose。　　Cutty's　strong　on　that。　　Well；　mind　your
step。　　The　boys　are　bringing　in　queer　scraps　about　something　big
going　to　happen　May　Day　…　no　facts；　just　rumours。　　Better　shoot　for
home　the　shortest　route　each　night　and　stick　round　there。〃

There　are　certain　spiritual　exhilarants　that　nullify　caution；
warning　the　presence　of　danger。　　The　boy　with　his　first　pay　envelope；
the　lover　who　has　just　been　accepted；　the　debutante　on　the　way　to　her
first　ball；　the　impetus　that　urges　us　to　rush　in　where　angels　fear
to　tread。

At　a　quarter　after　five　Kitty　left　the　office　for　home；　unaware　that
the　attribute　designated　as　caution　had　evaporated　from　her　system。
She　proceeded　toward　the　Subway　mechanically；　the　result　of　habit。
Casually　she　noted　two　taxicabs　standing　near　the　Subway　entrance。
That　she　noted　them　at　all　was　due　to　the　fact　that　Subway　entrances
were　not　fortuitous　hunting　grounds　for　taxicabs。　　Only　the　unusual
would　have　attracted　her　in　her　present　condition　of　mind。　　It　takes
time　and　patience　to　weave　a　good　web　…　observe　any　spider　…　time　in
finding　a　suitable　place　for　it；　patience　in　the　spinning。　　All　that
worried　Karlov　was　the　possibility　of　her　not　observing　him。　　If　he
could　place　his　taxicabs　where　they　would　attract　her；　even　casually；
the　main　difficulty　would　be　out　of　the　way。　　The　moment　she　turned
her　head　toward　the　cabs　he　would　step　out　into　plain　view。　　The　girl
was　susceptible　and　adventuresome。

Kitty　saw　a　man　step　out　of　the　foremost　taxicab；　give　some
instructions　to　the　chauffeur；　and　get　back　into　the　cab；
immediately　to　be　driven　off　at　moderate　speed。　　She　recognized　the
man　at　once。　　Never　would　she　forget　that　squat；　gorilla…like　body。
Karlov！　　Yonder；　in　that　cab！　　She　ran　to　the　remaining　cab；　wherein
she　differed　from　angels。

〃Are　you　free？〃

〃Yes；　miss。〃

〃See　that　taxi　going　across　town？　　Follow　it　and　I　will　give　you　ten
extra　fare。〃

〃You're　on；　miss。〃

Karlov　peered　through　the　rear　window　of　his　cab。　　If　she　had　in
tow　a　Federal　agent　the　manoeuvre　would　fail；　at　a　great　risk　to
himself。　　But　he　would　soon　be　able　to　tell　whether　or　not　she　was
being　followed。

As　a　matter　of　fact；　she　was　not。　　She　had　returned　to　New　York　a
day　before　she　was　expected。　　Her　unknown　downtown　guardian　would
not　turn　up　for　duty　until　ordered　by　Cutty　to　do　so。　　She　entered
the　second　cab　with　no　definite　plan　in　her　head。　　Karlov；　the　man
who　wanted　to　kill　Johnny　Two…Hawks；　the　man　who　held　Stefani
Gregor　a　prisoner！　　For　the　present　these　facts　were　sufficient。
〃Don't　get　too　near；〃　said　Kitty　through　the　speaking　tube。　　〃Just
keep　the　cab　in　sight。〃

A　perfectly　logical　compensation。　　She　herself　had　set　in　motion
the　machinery　of　this　amazing　adventure；　it　was　logically　right
that　she　should　end　it。　　Poor　dear　old　Cutty　…　to　fancy　he　could
pull　the　wool　over　Kitty　Conover's　eyes！　　Cutty；　the　most　honest
man　alive；　had　set　his　foot　upon　an　unethical　bypath　and　now　found
himself　among　nettles。　　To　keep　Johnny　Two…Hawks　prisoner　in　that
lofty　apartment　while　he　hunted　for　the　drums　of　jeopardy！　　Hadn't
he　said　he　had　seen　emeralds　he　would　steal　with　half　a　chance？
Cutty；　playing　at　this　sort　of　game；　his　conscience　biting　whichever
way　he　turned！　　He　had　been　hunting　unsuccessfully　for　the　stones
that　night　he　had　come　in　with　his　face　and　hands　bloody。　　Why
hadn't　he　kissed　her？

Johnny　Two…Hawks　…　bourgeois？　　Utter　nonsense！　　Of　course　it　did
not　matter　now　what　he　was；　he　had　dug　a　bridgeless　chasm　with　that
smile。　　Sometime　to…morrow　he　and　Stefani　Gregor　would　be　on　their
way　to　Montana；　and　that　would　be　the　last　of　them　both。　　To…morrow
would　mark　the　fork　in　the　road。　　But　life　would　never　again　be
humdrum　for　Kitty　Conover。

The　taxicabs　were　bumping　over　cobbles；　through　empty　streets。　　It
was　six　by　now；　at　that　hour　this　locality；　which　she　recognized　as
the　warehouse　district；　was　always　dead。　　The　deserted　streets；　how
ever；　set　in　motion　a　slight　perturbation。　　Supposing　Karlov　grew
suspicious　and　turned　aside　from　his　objective？　　Even　as　this
disturbing　thought　took　form　Karlov's　taxicab　stopped。　　Kitty's
stopped　also；　but　without　instructions　from　her。　　She　had　intended
to　drive　on　and　from　the　rear　window　observe　if　Karlov　entered　that
old　red…brick　house。

〃Go　on！〃　she　called　through　the　tube。

The　chauffeur　obeyed；　but　he　stopped　again　directly　behind　Karlov's
taxicab。　　He　slid　off　his　seat　and　opened　the　door。　　His　face　was　grim。

Tumpitum…tump！　　Tumpitum…tump！　　She　did　not　hear　the　tocsin　this　time；
she　felt　it　on　her　spine　…　the　drums　of　fear。　　If　they　touched　her！

〃Come　with　me；　miss。　　If　you　are　sensible　you　will　not　be　harmed。　　If
you　cut　up　a　racket　I'll　have　to　carry　you。〃

〃What　does　this　mean？〃　faltered　Kitty。

〃That　we　have　finally　got　you；　miss。　　You　can　see　for　yourself　that
there　isn't　any　help　in　sight。　　Better　take　it　sensibly。　　We　don't
intend　to　hurt　you。　　It's　somebody　else　we　want。　　There's　a　heavy
score　against　you；　but　we'll　overlook　it　if　you　act　sensibly。　　You
were　very　clever　last　night；　but　the　game　depends　upon　the　last
trick。〃

〃I'll　go　sensibly；〃　Kitty　agreed。　　They　must　not　touch　her！

Karlov　did　not　speak　as　he　opened　the　door　of　the　house　for　her。
His　expression　was　Buddha…like。

〃This　way；　miss；〃　said　the　chauffeur；　affably。

〃You　are　an　American？〃

〃Whenever　it　pays。〃

Presently　Kitty　found　herself　in　the　attic；　alone。　　They　hadn't
touched　her；　so　much　was　gained。　　Poor　little　fool　that　she　was！
It　was　fairly　dark　now；　but　overhead　she　could　see　the　dim　outlines
of　the　scuttle　or　trap。　　The　attic　was　empty　except　for　a　few　pieces
of　lumber　and　some　soap　boxes。　　She　determined　to　investigate　the
trap　at　once；　before　they　came　again。

She　placed　two　soap　boxes　on　end　and　laid　a　plank　across。　　After
testing　its　stability　she　mounted。　　She　could　reach　the　trap　easily；
with　plenty　of　leverage　to　spare。　　She　was　confident　that　she　could
draw　herself　up　to　the　roof。　　She　sought　for　the　hooks　and　liberated
them；　then　she　placed　her　palms　against　the　trap　and　heaved。　　Not
even　a　creak　answered　her。　　She　pressed　upward　again　and　again。　　The
trap　was　immovable。

Light。　　She　turned；　to　behold　Kariov　in　the　doorway；　a　candlestick
in　his　hand。　　〃The　scuttle　is　covered　with　cement；　Miss　Conover。
Nobody　can　get　in　or　out。〃

Kitty　got　down；　her　knees　uncertain。　　If　he　touched　her！　　Oh；　the
fool　she　had　been！

〃What　are　you　going　to　do　with　me？〃　she　asked　through　dry　lips。

〃You　are　to　me　a　bill　of　exchange；　payable　in　something　more　precious
to　me　than　gold。　　I　am　going　to　keep　you　here　until　you　are　ransomed。
The　ransom　is　the　man　you　have　been　shielding。　　If　he　isn't　here　by
midnight　you　vanish。　　Oh；　we　shan't　harm　you。　　Merely　you　will
disappear　until　my　affairs　in　America　are　terminated。　　You　are
clever　and　resourceful　for　so　young　a　woman。　　You　will　understand
that　we　are　not　going　to　turn　aside。　　You　are　not　a　woman　to　me；　you
are　a　valuable　pawn。　　You　are　something　to　bargain　for。〃

〃I　understand；〃　said　Kitty；　her　heart　trying　to　burst　through。　　It
seemed　impossible　that　Karlov　should　not　hear　the　thunder。　　To
placate　him；　to　answer　his　questions；　to　keep　him　from　growing
angry！

〃I　thought　you　would。〃　Karlov　set　the　candle　on　Kitty's　impromptu
stepladder。　　〃We　saw　your　interest　in　the　affair；　and　attacked　you
on　that　side。　　You　had　seen　me　once。　　Being　a　newspaper　writer　…
the　New　York　kind　…　you　would　not　rest　until　you　learned　who　I　was。
You　would　not　forget　me。　　You　were　too　well　guarded　uptown。　　You
have　been　out　of　the　city　for　a　week。　　We　could　not　find　where。
You　were　reported　seen　entering　your　office　this　morning；　and　here
you　are。　　My　one　fear　was　that　you　might　not　see　me。　　Personally
you　will　have　no　cause　to　worry。　　No　hand　shall　touch　you。

〃Thank　you　for　that。〃

〃Don't　misunderstand。　　There　is　no　sentiment　behind　this　promise。
I　imagine　your　protector　will　sacrifice　much　for　your　sake。　　Simply
it　is　unnecessary　to　offer　you　any　violence。　　Do　you　know　who　the
man　is　your　protector　is　shielding？〃

Kitty　shook　her　head。

〃Has　he　played　the　fiddle　for　you？〃

〃Yes。〃

Karlov　smiled。　　〃Did　you　dance？〃

〃Dance？　　I　don't　understand。〃

〃No　matter。　　He　can　play　the　fiddle　nearly　as　well　as　his　master。
The　two　of　them　have　gone　across　the　world　fiddling　the　souls　of
women　out　of　their　bodies。〃

Kitty　sat　down　weakly　on　the　plank。　　Terror　from　all　points。