the white moll-第32章

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to　hand　back　the　day　Angel　Jack　got　out　of　Sing　Sing。　　Understand？
But　yesterday　Angel　Jack　died…without　a　will；　and　old　Jake　appointed
himself　sole　executor…without　bonds！　　He　opened　that　package；
figured　he'd　begin　turning　it　into　money　…　and　that's　how　we　get
our　own　back　again。　　Old　Jake　will　get　a　fake　message　to…night
calling　him　out　of　the　house　on　an　errand　uptown；　and　about　ten
o'clock　Pinkie　Bonn　and　the　Pug　will　pay　a　visit　there　in　his
absence；　and　…　well；　it　looks　good；　don't　it；　Bertha；　after　two
years？〃

Rhoda　Gray　was　crouched　down　in　her　chair。　　She　shrugged　her
shoulders　now；　and　infused　a　sullen　note　into　her　voice。

〃Yes；　it's　fine！〃　she　sniffed。　　〃I'll　be　rolling　in　wealth　in　my
garret　…　which　will　do　me　a　lot　of　good！　　That　doesn't　separate　me
from　these　rags；　and　the　hell　I've　lived；　does　it　…　after　two　years？〃

〃I'm　coming　to　that；〃　said　Danglar；　with　his　short；　grating　laugh。
〃We've　as　good　as　got　the　stones　now；　and　we're　going　through
to…night　for　a　clean…up　of　all　that　old　mess。　　We　stake　the　whole
thing。　　Get　me；　Bertha　…　the　whole　thing　！　　I'm　showing　my　hand
for　the　first　time。　　Cloran's　the　man　that's　making　you　wear　those
clothes；　Cloran's　the　only　one　who　could　go　into　the　witness　box
and　swear　that　you　were　the　woman　who　murdered　Deemer；　and　Cloran's
the　man　who　has　been　working　his　head　off　for　two　years　to　find　you。
We've　tried　a　dozen　times　to　bump　him　off　in　a　way　that　would　make
his　death　appear　to　be　due　purely　to　an　accident；　and　we　didn't　get
away　with　it；　but　we　can　afford　to　leave　the　'accident'　out　of　it
to…night；　and　go　through　for　keeps　…　and　that's　what　we're　going
to　do。　　And　once　he's　out　of　the　way　…　by　midnight　…　you　can　heave
Gypsy　Nan　into　the　discard。〃

It　seemed　to　Rhoda　Gray　that　horror　had　suddenly　taken　a　numbing
hold　upon　her　sensibilities。　　Danglar　was　talking　about　murdering
some　man；　wasn't　he；　so　that　she　could　resume　again　the　personality
of　a　woman　who　was　dead？　　Hysterical　laughter　rose　to　her　lips。　　It
was　only　by　a　frantic　effort　of　will　that　she　controlled　herself。
She　seemed　to　speak　involuntarily；　doubtful　almost　that　it　was　her
own　voice　she　heard。

〃I'm　listening；〃　she　said；　〃but　I　wouldn't　be　too　sure。　　Cloran's
a　wary　bird；　and　there's　the　White　Moll。〃

She　caught　her　breath。　　What　suicidal　inspiration　had　prompted　her
to　say　that！　　Had　what　she　had　been　listening　to　here；　the　horror
of　it；　indeed　turned　her　brain　and　robbed　her　of　her　wits　to　the
extent　that　she　should　invite　exposure？　　Danglar's　face　had　gone　a
mottled　purple；　the　misshapen　thing　at　Danglar's　side　was　leering
at　her　most　curiously。

It　was　a　moment　before　Danglar　spoke；　and　then　his　hand；　clenched
until　the　white　of　the　knuckles　showed；　pounded　upon　the　table　to
punctuate　his　words。

〃Not　to…night！〃　he　rasped　out　with　an　oath。　　〃There's　not　a　chance
that　she's　in　on　this　to…night　…　the　she…devil！　　But　she's　next！
With　this　cleaned　up；　she's　next！　　If　it　takes　the　last　dollar　of
to…night's　haul；　and　five　years　to　do　it；　I'll　get　her；　and　get　…〃

〃Sure！〃　mumbled　Rhoda　Gray　hurriedly。　　〃But　you　needn't　get　excited！
I　was　only　thinking　of　her　because　she's　queered　us　till　I've　got
my　fingers　crossed；　that's　all。　　Go　on　about　Cloran。〃

Danglar's　composure　did　not　return　on　the　instant。　　He　gnawed　at
his　lips　for　a　moment　before　he　spoke。

〃All　right！〃　he　jerked　out　finally。　　〃Let　it　go　at　that！　　I　told
you　the　other　night　in　the　garret　that　things　were　beginning　to
break　our　way；　and　that　you　wouldn't　have　to　stay　there　much
longer；　but　I　didn't　tell　you　how　or　why　…　you　wouldn't　give　me
a　chance。　　I'll　tell　you　now；　and　it's　the　main　reason　why　I've
kept　away　from　you　lately。　　I　couldn't　take　a　chance　of　Cloran
getting　wise　to　that　garret　and　Gypsy　Nan。〃　　He　grinned　suddenly。
〃I've　been　cultivating　Cloran　myself　for　the　last　two　weeks。　　We're
quite　pals！　　I'm　for　playing　the　luck　every　time！　　When　the　jewels
showed　up　to…day；　I　figured　that　to…night's　the　night　…　see？
Cloran　and　I　are　going　to　supper　together　at　the　Silver　Sphinx　at
about　eleven　o'clock　…and　this　is　where　you　shed　the　Gypsy　Nan
stuff；　and　show　up　as　your　own　sweet　self。　　Cloran'll　be　glad　to
meet　you！〃

She　stared　at　him　in　genuine　perplexity　and　amazement。

〃Show　myself　to　Cloran！〃　she　ejaculated　heavily。　　〃I　don't　get　you！〃

〃You　will　in　a　minute；〃　said　Danglar　softly。　　〃You're　the　bait　
…see？　　Cloran　and　I　will　be　at　supper　and　watching　the　fox…trotters。
You　blow　in　and　show　yourself　…　I　don't　need　to　tell　you　how；　you're
clever　enough　at　that　sort　of　thing　yourself　…　and　the　minute　he
recognizes　you　as　the　woman　he's　been　looking　for　that　murdered
Deemer；　you　pretend　to　recognize　him　for　the　first　time　too；　and
then　you　beat　it　like　you　had　the　scare　of　your　life　for　the　door。
He'll　follow　you　on　the　jump。　　I　don't　know　what　it's　all　about；
and　I　sit　tight；　and　that　lets　me　out。　　And　now　get　this！　　There'll
be　two　taxicabs　outside。　　If　there's　more　than　two；　it's　the　first
two　I'm　talking　about。　　You　jump　into　the　one　at　the　head　of　the
line。　　Cloran　won't　need　any　invitation　to　grab　the　second　one　and
follow　you。　　That's　all！　　It's　the　last　ride　he'll　take。　　It'll　be
our　boys；　and　not　chauffeurs；　who'll　be　driving　those　cars　to…night；
and　they've　got　their　orders　where　to　go。　　Cloran　won't　come　back。
Understand；　Bertha'？〃

There　was　only　one　answer　to　make；　only　one　answer　that　she　dared
make。　　She　made　it　mechanically；　though　her　brain　reeled。　　A　man
named　Cloran　was　to　be　murdered；　and　she　was　to　show　herself　as
this　…　this　Bertha　…　and。。。

〃Yes；〃　she　said。

〃Good！〃　said　Danglar。　　He　pulled　out　his　watch　again。　　〃All　right；
then！　　We've　been　here　long　enough。〃　　He　rose　briskly。　　〃It's　time
to　make　a　move。　　You　hop　it　back　to　the　garret；　and　get　rid　of　that
fancy　dress。　　I've　got　to　meet　Cloran　uptown　first。　　Come　on；　Matty；
let　us　out。〃

The　place　stifled　her。　　She　got　up　and　moved　quickly　through　the
intervening　room。　　She　heard　Danglar　and　his　crippled　brother
talking　earnestly　together　as　they　followed　her。　　And　then　the
cripple　brushed　by　her　in　the　darkness；　and　opened　the　front　door
…　and　Danglar　had　drawn　her　to　him　in　a　quick　embrace。　　She　did　not
struggle；　she　dared　not。　　Her　heart　seemed　to　stand　still。　　Danglar
was　whispering　in　her　ear：

〃I　promised　I'd　make　it　up　to　you；　Bertha；　old　girl。　　You'll　see
…　after　to…night。　　We'll　have　another　honey…moon。　　You　go　on　ahead
now　…　I　can't　be　seen　with　Gypsy　Nan。　　And　don't　be　late　…　the
Silver　Sphinx　at　eleven。〃

She　ran　out　on　the　street。　　Her　fingers　mechanically　clutched　at
her　shawl　to　loosen　it　around　her　throat。　　It　seemed　as　though　she
were　choking；　that　she　could　not　breathe。　　The　man's　touch　upon　her
had　seemed　like　contact　with　some　foul　and　loathsome　thing；　the
scene　in　that　room　back　there　like　some　nightmare　of　horror　from
which　she　could　not　awake。


XVI。　　THE　SECRET　PANEL

Rhoda　Gray　hurried　onward；　back　toward　the　garret；　her　mind　in　riot
and　dismay。　　It　was　not　only　the　beginning　of　the　end；　it　was　very
near　the　end！　　What　was　she　to　do？　　The　Silver　Sphinx　…　at　eleven！
That　was　the　end　…　after　eleven　…　wasn't　it？　　She　could　impersonate
Gypsy　Nan；　she　could　not；　if　she　would；　impersonate　the　woman　who
was　dead！　　And　then；　too；　there　were　the　stolen　jewels　at　old　Jake
Luertz's！　　She　could　not　turn　to　the　police　for　help　there；　because
then　the　Pug　might　fall　into　their　hands；　and　…　and　the　Pug　was
…　was　the　Adventurer。

And　then　a　sort　of　fatalistic　calm　fell　upon　her。　　If　the　masquerade
was　over；　if　the　end　had　come；　there　remained　only　one　thing　for　her
to　do。　　There　were　no　risks　too　desperate　to　take　now。　　It　was　she
who　must　strike；　and　strike　first。　　Those　jewels　in　old　Luertz's
bedroom　became　suddenly　vital　to　her。　　They　were　tangible　evidence。
With　those　jewels　in　her　possession　she　should　be　able　to　force
Danglar　to　his　knees。　　She　could　get　them　…　before　Pinkie　Bonn　and
the　Pug　…　if　she　hurried。　　Afterward　she　would　know　where　to　find
Danglar　…　at　the　Silver　Sphinx。　　Nothing　would　happen　to　Cloran；
because；　through　her　failure　to　cooperate；　the　plan　would　be
abortive；　but；　veiled；　as　the　White　Moll；　she　could　pick　up　Danglar's
trail　again　there。　　Yes；　it　would　be　the　end　…　one　way　or　the　other
…　between　eleven　o'clock　and　daylight！

She　quickened　her　steps。　　Old　Luertz　was　to　be　inveigled　away　from
his　home　about　ten　o'clock。　　At　a　guess；　she　made　it　only　a　little
after　nine　now。　　She　would　need　the　skeleton　keys　in　order　to　get
into　old　Luertz's　place；　and；　yes；　she　would　need　a　flashlight；　too。
Well；　she　would　have　time　enough　to　get　them；　and　time　enough；　then；
to　run　to　the　deserted　shed　in　the　lane　behind　the　garret　and　change
her　clothes。

Rhoda　Gray；　as　Gypsy　Nan；　went　on　as　speedily　as　she　dared　without
inviting　undue　attention　to　herself；　reached　the　garret；　secured
the　articles　she　sought；　hurried　out　again；　and　went　down　the　lane
in　the　rear　to　the　deserted　shed。　　She　remained　longer　here　than　in
the　attic；　perhaps　ten　minutes；　working　mostly　in　the　darkness；
risking　the　flashlight　only　when　it　was　imperative；　and　then；　the
metamorphosis　complete；　a　veiled　figure；　in　her　own　person；　as
Rhoda　Gray；　the　White　Moll；　she　was　out　on　the　street　again；　and
hastening　back　in　the　same　general　direction　from　which　she　had
just　come。

She　knew　old　Jake　Luertz's　place；　and　she　knew　the　man　himself　very
intimately　by　reputation。　　There　were　few　such　men　and　such　places
that　she　could　have　escaped　knowing　in　the　years　of　self…appointed
service　that　she　had　given　to　the　worst；　and　perhaps　therefore　the
most　needy；　element　in　New　York。　　The　man　ostensibly　conducted　a
little　secondhand　store；　in　reality　he　probably　〃shoved〃　more　stolen
goods　for　his　clientele；　which　at　one　time　or　another　undoubtedly
embraced　nearly　every　crook　in　the　underworld；　than　any　other　〃fence〃
in　New　York。　　She　knew　him　for　an　oily；　cunning　old　fox　who　lived
alone　in　the　two　rooms　over　his　miserable　store　…　unless；　of　late；
his　young　henchman；　the　Crab；　had　taken　to　living　with　him；　though；
as　far　as　that　was　concerned；　it　mattered　little　to…night；　since
the　Crab；　for　the　moment；　thanks　to　the　gang；　was　eliminated　from
consideration。

She　reached　the　secondhand　store　…　and　walked　on　past　it。　　There
was　a　light　upstairs　in　the　front　window。　　Old　Luertz　therefore　had
not　yet　gone　out　in　response　to　the　gang's　fake　message。　　She　knew
old　Luertz's　reputation　far　too　well　for　that；　the　man　would　never
go　out　and　leave　a　gas　jet　burning　…　which　he　would　have　to　pay　for！

There　was　nothing　to　do　but　wait。　　Rhoda　Gray　sought　the　shelter　of
a　doorway　across　the　street。　　She　was　nervously　impatient　now。　　The
minutes　dragged　along。　　Why　didn't　'the　man　hurry　and　go　out？
〃About　ten　o'clock；〃　Danglar　had　said　…　but　that　was　very　indefinite。
Pinkie　Bonn　and　the　Pug　might　be　as　late　as　that；　but；　equally；　they
might　be　earlier！

It　seemed　an　interminable　time。　　And　then；　her　eyes　strained　across
the　street　upon　that　upper　window；　she　drew　still　farther　back　into
the　protecting　shadows　of　the　doorway。　　The　light　had　gone　out。

A　moment　more　passed。　　The　street　door　of　the　house　opposite　to　h