the drums of jeopardy-第40章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


I　never　should　have　known　it　if　you　and　your　affairs　hadn't　turned
up。

Cutty　entered　his　study　and　slammed　the　door；　leaving　Hawksley　prey
to　so　many　conflicting　emotions　that　his　head　began　to　bother　him。
Back　out　of　it！　　Why？　　Why　should　Kitty　have　a　problem　to　solve　over
such　a　marriage　of　convenience；　and　why　should　the　old　thoroughbred
want　to　back　out？

Kitty　would　be　free；　then？　　A　flash　of　fire；　which　subsided　quickly
under　the　smothering　truth。　　What　if　she　were　free？　　He　could　not
ask　her　to　be　his　wife。　　Not　because　of　last　night's　madness。　　That
no　longer　troubled　him。　　She　was　the　sort　who　would　understand；　if
he　told　her。　　She　had　a　soul　big　with　understanding。　　It　was　that
he　walked　in　the　shadow　of　death；　and　would　so　long　as　Karlov
was　free；　and　he　could　not　ask　any　woman　to　share　that。

He　pushed　back　his　chair　slowly。　　In　the　living　room　he　took　the
Amati　from　its　case　and　began　improvising。　　What　the　chrysoprase
did　for　Cutty　the　fiddle　did　for　this　derelict　…　solved　problems。

He　reviewed　all　the　phases　as　he　played。　　That　dish　of　bacon　and
eggs；　the　resolute　air　of　her；　that　popping　fan！　　＇Allegretto。＇
She　had　found　him　senseless　on　the　floor。　　She　had　had　the　courage
to　come　to　his　assistance。　　＇Andante　con　espressione。＇　　What　had
been　in　her　mind　that　night　she　had　taken　flight　from　his　bedroom；
after　having　given　him　the　wallet？　　Something　like　tears。　　What
about？　　An　American　girl；　natural；　humorous；　and　fanciful。　　Somehow
he　felt　assured　that　it　had　not　been　his　kisses；　she　had　looked
into　his　eyes　and　seen　the　taint。　　Always　there；　the　beast　that　old
Stefani　had　chained　and　subdued。　　He　knew　now　that　this　beast　would
never　again　lift　its　head。　　And　he　had　let　her　go　without　a　sign。
＇Dolorosomente。＇　　To　have　gone　through　life　with　a　woman　who　would
have　understood　his　nature。　　The　test　of　her　had　been　last　night　in
the　streets。　　His　mood　had　been　hers。　　＇Allegretto　con　amore。＇

〃Love；〃　he　said；　lowering　the　bow。

〃Love；〃　said　Cutty；　shifting　his　chrysoprase。　　There　was　no　fool
like　an　old　fool。　　It　did　not　serve　to　recall　Molly　in　all　her
glory；　to　reach　hither　and　yon　for　a　handhold　to　pull　him　out　of
this　morass。　　Molly　had　become　an　invisible　ghost。　　He　loved　her
daughter。　　Double　sunset；　the　phenomenon　of　the　Indian　Ocean　was
now　being　enacted　upon　his　own　horizon。　　Double　sunset。

But　why　should　Kitty　have　any　problem　to　solve？　　Why　should　she
dodder　over　such　a　trifle　as　this　prospective　official　marriage？
It　was　only　a　joke　which　would　legalize　his　generosity。　　She　had
sent　that　telegram　after　leaving　this　apartment。　　What　had　happened
here　to　decide　her？　　Had　Hawksley　fiddled？　　There　was　something
the　matter　with　the　green　stones　to…night；　they　evoked　nothing。

He　leaned　back　in　his　chair；　listening；　the　bowl　of　his　pipe
touching　the　lapel　of　his　coat。　　Music。　　Queer；　what　you　could　do
with　a　fiddle　if　you　knew　how。

After　all　there　was　no　sense　in　venting　his　anger　on　Hawksley。　　He
was　hoist　by　his　own　petard。　　Why　not　admit　the　truth？　　He　had　had
a　crack　on　the　head　the　same　night　as　Hawksley；　only；　he　had　been
struck　by　an　idea；　often　more　deadly　than　the　butt　of　a　pistol。　　He
would　apologize　for　that　roaring　exit　from　the　dining　room。　　The
poor　friendless　devil！　　He　bent　toward　the　green　stones　again。
In　the　living　room　Hawksley　sat　in　a　chair；　the　fiddle　across　his
knees。　　He　understood　now。　　The　old　chap　was　in　love　with　the　girl；
and　was　afraid　of　himself；　couldn't　risk　having　her　and　letting　her
go。。。。　　A　curse　on　the　drums　of　jeopardy！　　Misfortune　followed　their
wake　always。　　The　world　would　have　been　different　this　hour　if　he　…　
The　break　in　the　trend　of　thought　was　caused　by　the　entrance　of
Kuroki；　who　was　followed　by　a　man。　　This　man　dropped　into　a　chair
without　apparently　noticing　that　the　room　was　already　tenanted；　for
he　never　glanced　toward　Hawksley。　　A　haggard　face；　dull　of　eye。
Kuroki　bobbed　and　vanished；　but　returned　shortly；　beckoning　the
stranger　to　follow　him　into　the　study。

〃Coles？〃　cried　Cutty　delightedly。　　Here　was　the　man　he　had　sent　to
negotiate　for　the　emeralds；　free。　　〃How　did　you　escape？　　We've　combed
the　town　for　you。〃

〃They　had　me　in　a　room　on　Fifteenth　Street。　　Once　in　a　while　I　got
something　to　eat。　　But　I　haven't　escaped。　　I'm　still　a　prisoner。〃

〃What　do　you　mean　by　that？〃

〃I　am　here　as　an　emissary。　　There　was　nothing　for　me　to　do　but
accept　the　job。〃

〃Did　he　have　the　stones？〃　asked　Cutty；　without　the　least　suspicion
of　what　was　coming。

〃That　I　don't　know。　　He　pretended　to　have　them　in　order　to　get　me
where　he　wanted　me。　　I've　been　hungry　a　good　deal　because　I　wouldn't
talk。　　I'm　here　as　a　negotiator。　　A　rotten　business。　　I　agreed
because　I've　hopes　you'll　be　able　to　put　one　over　on　Karlov。　　It's
the　girl。〃

〃Kitty？〃

〃Karlov　has　her。　　The　girl　wasn't　to　blame。　　Any　one　in　the　game
would　have　done　as　she　did。　　Karlov　is　bugs　on　politics；　but　he's
shrewd　enough　at　this　sort　of　game。　　He　trapped　the　girl　because　he'd
studied　her　enough　to　learn　what　she　would　or　would　not　do。　　Now　they
are　not　going　to　hurt　her。　　They　merely　propose　exchanging　her　for
the　man　you've　been　hiding　up　here。　　There's　a　taxi　downstairs。　　It
will　carry　me　back　to　Fifteenth；　then　it　will　return　and　wait。　　If
the　man　is　not　at　the　appointed　place　by　midnight　…　he　must　go　in
this　taxi　…　the　girl　will　be　carried　off　elsewhere；　and　you'll　never
lay　eyes　on　her　again。　　Karlov　and　his　gang　are　potential　assassins；
all　they　want　is　excuse。　　Until　midnight　they　will　not　touch　the　girl；
but　after　midnight；　God　knows！　　What　message　am　I　to　take　back？〃

〃Do　you　know　where　she　is？〃

Cutty　spoke　without　much　outward　emotion。

〃Not　the　least　idea。　　Whenever　Karlov　wanted　to　quiz　me；　he　appeared
late　at　night　from　some　other　part　of　the　town。　　But　he　never　got
much。〃

〃You　saw　him　this　evening？〃

〃Yes。　　It　probably　struck　him　as　a　fine　joke　to　send　me。〃

〃And　if　you　don't　go　back？〃

〃The　girl　will　be　taken　away。　　I'm　honestly　afraid　of　the　man。　　He's
too　quiet　spoken。　　That　kind　of　a　man　always　goes　the　limit。〃

〃I　see。　　Wait　here。〃

At　Cutty's　approach　Hawksley　looked　up　apathetically。

〃Want　me？〃

〃Perhaps。〃

〃You　are　pale。　　Anything　serious？〃

〃Yes。　　Karlov　has　got　Kitty。〃

For　a　minute　Hawksley　did　not　stir。　　Then　he　got　up；　put　away　the
Amati；　and　came　back。　　He　was　pale；　too。

〃I　understand；〃　he　said。　　〃They　will　exchange　her　for　me。　　Am　I
right？〃

〃Yes。　　But　you　are　not　obliged　to　do　anything　like　that；　you　know。〃

〃I　am　ready。〃

〃You　give　yourself　up？〃

〃Why　not？〃

〃You're　a　man！〃　Cutty　burst　out。

〃I　was　brought　up　by　one。　　Honestly；　now；　could　I　ever　look　a　white
man　in　the　face　again　if　I　didn't　give　myself　up？　　I　did　begin　to
believe　that　I　might　get　through。　　But　Fate　was　only　playing　with
me。　　May　I　use　your　desk　to　write　a　line？〃

〃Come　with　me；〃　said　Cutty；　unsteadily。　　This　was　not　the　result　of
environment。　　Quiet　courage　of　this　order　was　race。　　No　questions
demanding　if　there　wasn't　some　way　round　the　inevitable。　　Cutty's
heart　glowed；　the　boy　had　walked　into　it；　never　to　leave　it。　　〃I'm
ready。〃　　It　took　a　man　to　say　that　when　the　sequence　was　death。

〃Coles；〃　said　Cutty　upon　reentering　the　study；　〃tell　Karlov　that　His
Highness　will　give　himself　up。　　He　will　be　there　before　midnight。〃

〃That's　enough　for　me。　　But　if　there's　the　least　sign　that　you're
not　playing　straight　it　will　be　all　off。　　Two　men　will　be　watching
the　taxi　and　the　entrance。　　If　you　appear；　it's　good…night。　　They
told　me　to　warn　you。〃

〃I　promise　not　to　appear。〃

Coles　smiled　enigmatically　and　reached　for　his　hat。　　He　held　his　hand
out　to　Hawksley。　　〃You're　a　white　man；　sir。〃

〃Thanks；〃　said　Hawksley；　absently。　　To　have　it　all　over　with！

As　soon　as　the　captive　Federal　agent　withdrew　Hawksley　sat　down　at
the　desk　and　wrote。

〃Will　this　hold　legally？〃　he　asked；　extending　the　written　sheet　to
Cutty。

Cutty　saw　that　it　was　a　simple　will。　　In　it　Hawksley　gave　half　of
his　possessions　to　Kitty　and　half　to　Stefani　Gregor。　　In　case　the
latter　was　dead　the　sum　total　was　to　go　to　Kitty。

〃I　got　you　into　a　muddle；　this　will　take　you　out　of　it。　　Karlov　will
kill　me。　　I　don't　know　how。　　I　am　his　obsession。　　He　will　sleep
better　with　me　off　his　mind。　　Will　this　hold　legally？〃

〃Yes。　　But　why　Kitty　Conover；　a　stranger？〃

〃Is　a　woman　who　saves　your　life　a　stranger？〃

〃Well；　not　exactly。　　This　is　what　we　might　call　zero　hour。　　I　gave
you　a　haven　here　not　particularly　because　I　was　sorry　for　you；　but
because　I　wanted　those　emeralds。　　Once　upon　a　time　Gregor　showed
them　to　me。　　Until　I　examined　your　wallet　I　supposed　you　had
smuggled　in　the　stones；　and　that　would　have　been　fair　game。　　But
you　had　paid　your　way　in　honestly。　　Now；　what　did　you　do　to　Kitty
Conover　last　night　that　decided　her　to　accept　that　fool　proposition？
She　sent　her　acceptance　after　she　left　you。

〃I　did　not　know　that。　　I　played　for　her。　　She　became　music…struck；
and　I　took　advantage　of　it　…　kissed　her。　　Then　she　told　me　she　was
going　to　marry　you。〃

〃And　that　is　why　you　asked　me　if　I　would　trust　you　with　a　daughter
of　mine？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃Conscience。　　That　explains　this　will。〃

〃No。　　Why　did　you　accept　my　suggestion　to　marry　her？〃

〃To　make　her　comfortable　without　sidestepping　the　rules　of　convention。〃

〃No。　　Because　you　love　her　…　the　way　I　do。〃

Cutty's　pipe　slipped　from　his　teeth。　　It　did　not　often　do　that。　　He
stamped　out　the　embers　and　laid　the　pipe　on　the　tray。

〃What　makes　you　think　I　love　her？〃

〃What　makes　me　tell　you　that　I　do？〃

〃Yes；　death　may　be　at　the　end　of　to…night's　work；　so　I'll　admit　that
I　love　her。　　She　is　like　a　forest　stream；　wild　at　certain　turns；　but
always　sweet　and　clear。　　I'm　an　old　fool；　old　enough　to　be　her　father。
I　loved　her　mother。　　Can　a　man　love　two　women　with　all　his　heart；　one
years　after　the　other？〃

〃It　is　the　avatar；　she　is　the　reincarnation　of　the　mother。　　I
understand　now。　　What　was　a　beautiful　memory　takes　living　form　again。
You　still　love　the　mother；　the　daughter　has　revived　that　love。〃

〃By　the　Lord　Harry；　I　believe　you've　struck　it！　　Walked　into　the
fog　and　couldn't　find　the　way　out。　　Of　course。　　What　an　old　ass　I've
been！　　Simple　as　daylight。　　I've　simply　fallen　in　love　with　Molly　all
over　again；　thinking　it　was　Kitty。　　Plain　as　the　nose　on　my　face。
And　I　might　have　made　a　fine　mess　of　it　if　you　hadn't　waked　me　up。〃

All　this　gentle　irony　went　over　Hawksley's　head。　　〃When　do　you　wish
me　to　go　down　to　the　taxi？〃

〃Son；　I'm　beginning　to　like　you。　　You　shall　have　your　chance。　　In
fact；　we'll　take　it　together。　　There'll　be　a　taxi　but　I'll　hire　it。
I'm　quite　positive　I　know　where　Kitty　is。　　If　I'm　correct　you'll
have　your　chance。　　If　I'm　wrong　you'll　have　to　pay　the　score。　　We'll
get　her　out　or　we'll　stay　where　she　is。　　In　any　event；　Karlov　will
pay　the　price。　　Wouldn't　you　prefer　to　go　out　…　if　you　must　…　in　a
glorious　scrap？〃

〃Fighting？〃　Hawksley　was　on　his　feet　instantly。　　〃Do　you　mean　that？
I　can　die　with　free　hands？〃

〃With　a　chance　of　coming　out　top…hole。〃

〃I　say；　what　a　ripping　thing　hope　is　…　always　springing　back！〃

Cutty　nodded。　　But　he　knew　there　was　one　hope　that