What time was it now? It was
about nine when he had first met the Tocsin, then the Sanctuary, then
the long walk as he had followed her--say a quarter of ten for that. And
he had certainly been here with her not less than an hour and a half.
It must be after eleven, then. One o'clock! And before that must come
Makoff and Spider Jack! The night that half an hour ago had seemed so
sterile, was crowding a program of events upon him now--too fast!
"Nothin' doin'!" he said thoughtfully. "Youse are in wrong dere, Slimmy.
One o'clock don't go! Say, take it from me, I've watched dat guy
too many nights fer Mag. 'Tain't often he leaves de club before one
o'clock--an' he ain't never in bed before two."
"All right," agreed the Magpie, after a moment's reflection. "Youse
ought to know. Make it three o'clock." He pulled a cigar from his
pocket, lighted it, and, leaning back in his chair, stuck his feet up
on the table. "If youse don't mind, Mag, I'll stick around a while," he
decided calmly. "Mabbe de less I'm seen to-night de better--an' I guess
dere won't be nobody lookin' fer me here."
Larry the Bat coughed suddenly, and rose up a little heavily from his
chair. He had not counted on that! If the Magpie was settling down for
a prolonged stay, it devolved upon him, Jimmie Dale, to get away, and
at once--and without exciting the Magpie's suspicions.
Pages:
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562