dh.theglasskey-第26部分

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hat　he　thought　of　the　third　race。
　Ned　Beaumont　thought　and　said：　〃Lord　Byron　ought　to　do　it。〃
　The　elevator…operator　said：　〃I　hope　you're　wrong。　I　got　Pipe…organ。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　shrugged。　〃Maybe；　but　he's　carrying　a　lot　of　weight。〃　He　went　to　room　417　and　knocked　on　the　door。
　Harry　Sloss；　in　his　shirt…sleeves；　opened　the　door。　He　was　a　thickset　pale　man　of　thirty…five；　broad…faced　and　partially　bald。　He　said：　〃On　the　dot。　e　on　in。〃
　When　Sloss　had　shut　the　door　Ned　Beaumont　asked：　〃What's　the　diffugalty？〃
　The　thickset　man　went　over　to　the　bed　and　sat　down。　He　scowled　anxiously　at　Ned　Beaumont。　〃It　don't　look　so　damned　good　to　me；　Ned。〃
　〃What　don't？〃
　〃This　thing　of　Ben　going　to　the　Hall　with　it。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　said　irritably：　〃All　right。　Any　time　you're　ready　to　tell　me　what　you're　talking　about's　soon　enough　for　me。〃
　Sloss　raised　a　pale　broad　hand。　〃Wait；　Ned；　I'll　tell　you　what　it's　about。　Just　listen。〃　He　felt　in　his　pocket　for　cigarettes；　bringing　out　a　package　mashed　limp。　〃You　remember　the　night　the　Henry　kid　was　pooped？〃
　Ned　Beaumont's　〃Uh…huh〃　was　carelessly　uttered。
　〃Remember　me　and　Ben　had　just　e　in　when　you　got　there；　at　the　Club？〃
　〃Yes。〃
　〃Well；　listen：　we　saw　Paul　and　the　kid　arguing　up　there　under　the　trees。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　brushed　a　side　of　his　mustache　with　a　thumb…nail；　once；　and　spoke　slowly；　looking　puzzled：　〃But　I　saw　you　get　out　of　the　car　in　front　of　the　Clubthat　was　just　after　I　found　himand　you　came　up　the　other　way。〃　He　moved　a　forefinger。　〃And　Paul　was　already　in　the　Club　ahead　of　you。〃
　Sloss　nodded　his　broad　head　vigorously。　〃That's　all　right；〃　he　said；　〃but　we'd　drove　on　down　China　Street　to　Pinky　Klein's　place　and　he　wasn't　there　and　we　turned　around　and　drove　back　to　the　Club。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　nodded。　〃Just　what　did　you　see？〃
　〃We　saw　Paul　and　the　kid　standing　there　under　the　trees　arguing。〃
　〃You　could　see　that　as　you　rode　past？〃
　Sloss　nodded　vigorously　again。
　〃It　was　a　dark　spot；〃　Ned　Beaumont　reminded　him。　〃I　don't　see　how　you　could've　made　out　their　faces　riding　past　like　that；　unless　you　slowed　up　or　stopped。〃
　〃No；　we　didn't；　but　I'd　know　Paul　anywhere；〃　Sloss　insisted。
　〃Maybe；　but　how'd　you　know　it　was　the　kid　with　him？〃
　〃It　was。　Sure；　it　was。　We　could　see　enough　of　him　to　know　that。〃
　〃And　you　could　see　they　were　arguing？　What　do　you　mean　by　that？　Fighting？〃
　〃No；　but　standing　like　they　were　having　an　argument。　You　know　how　you　can　tell　when　people　are　arguing　sometimes　by　the　way　they　stand。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　smiled　mirthlessly。　〃Yes；　if　one　of　them's　standing　on　the　other's　face。〃　His　smile　vanished。　〃And　that's　what　Ben　went　to　the　Hall　with？〃
　〃Yes。　I　don't　know　whether　he　went　in　with　it　on　his　own　account　or　whether　Farr　got　hold　of　it　somehow　and　sent　for　him；　but　anyhow　he　spilled　it　to　Farr。　That　was　yesterday。〃
　〃How'd　you　hear　about　it；　Harry？〃
　〃Farr's　hunting　for　me；〃　Sloss　said。　〃That's　the　way　I　heard　about　it。　Beu'd　told　him　I　was　with　him　and　Farr　sent　word　for　me　to　drop　in　and　see　him；　but　I　don't　want　any　part　of　it。〃
　〃I　hope　you　don't；　Harry；〃　Ned　Beaumont　said。　〃What　are　you　going　to　say　if　Farr　catches　you？〃
　〃I'm　not　going　to　let　him　catch　me　if　I　can　help　it。　That's　what　I　wanted　to　see　you　about。〃　He　cleared　his　throat　and　moistened　his　lips。　〃I　thought　maybe　I　ought　to　get　out　of　town　for　a　week　or　two；　till　it　kind　of　blows　over；　and　that'd　take　a　little　money。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　smiled　and　shook　his　head。　〃That's　not　the　thing　to　do；〃　he　told　the　thickset　man。　〃If　you　want　to　help　Paul　go　tell　Fan　you　couldn't　recognize　the　two　men　under　the　trees　and　that　you　don't　think　anybody　in　your　car　could。〃
　〃All　right；　that's　what　I'll　do；〃　Sloss　said　readily；　〃but；　listen；　Ned；　I　ought　to　get　something　out　of　it。　I'm　taking　a　chance　andwellyou　know　how　it　is。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　nodded。　〃We'll　pick　you　out　a　soft　job　after　election；　one　you'll　have　to　show　up　on　maybe　an　hour　a　day。〃
　〃That'll　be〃　Sloss　stood　up。　His　green…flecked　palish　eyes　were　urgent。　〃I'll　tell　you；　Ned；　I'm　broke　as　hell。　Couldn't　you　make　it　a　little　dough　now　instead？　It'd　e　in　damned　handy。〃
　〃Maybe。　I'll　talk　it　over　with　Paul。〃
　〃Do　that；　Ned；　and　give　me　a　ring。〃
　〃Sure。　So　long。〃
　
　
　5
　
　From　the　Majestic　Hotel　Ned　Beaumont　went　to　the　City　Hall；　to　the　District　Attorney's　office；　and　said　he　wanted　to　see　Mr。　Farr。
　The　round…faced　youth　to　whom　he　said　it　left　the　outer　office；　returning　a　minute　later　apologetic　of　mien。　〃I'm　sorry；　Mr。　Beaumont；　but　Mr。　Farr　is　not　in。〃
　〃When　will　he　be　back？〃
　〃I　don't　know。　His　secretary　says　he　didn't　leave　word。〃　
　〃I'll　take　a　chance。　I'll　wait　awhile　in　his　office。〃　The　round…faced　youth　stood　in　his　way。　〃Oh；　you　can't　do〃
　Ned　Beaumont　smiled　his　nicest　smile　at　the　youth　and　asked　softly：　〃Don't　you　like　this　job；　son？〃
　The　youth　hesitated；　fidgeted；　and　stepped　out　of　Ned　Beaumont's　way。　Ned　Beaumont　walked　down　the　inner　corridor　to　the　District　Attorney's　door　and　opened　it。
　Farr　looked　up　from　his　desk；　sprang　to　his　feet。　〃Was　that　you？〃　he　cried。　〃Damn　that　boy！　He　never　gets　anything　right。　A　Mr。　Bauman；　he　said。〃
　〃No　harm　done；〃　Ned　Beaumont　said　mildly。　〃I　got　in。〃
　He　let　the　District　Attorney　shake　his　hand　up　and　down　and　lead　him　to　a　chair。　When　they　were　seated　he　asked　idly：　〃Anything　new？〃
　〃Nothing。〃　Farr　rocked　back　in　his　chair；　thumbs　hooked　in　lower　vest…pockets。　〃Just　the　same　old　grind；　though　God　knows　there's　enough　of　that。〃
　〃How's　the　electioneering　going？〃
　〃It　could　be　better〃a　shadow　passed　over　the　District　Attorney's　pugnacious　red　face〃but　I　guess　we'll　manage　all　right。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　kept　idleness　in　his　voice。　〃What's　the　matter？〃
　〃This　and　that。　Things　always　e　up。　That's　politics；　I　guess。〃
　〃Anything　I　can　door　Paulto　help？〃　Ned　Beaumont　asked　and　then；　when　Farr　had　shaken　his　red…stubble…covered　head：　〃This　talk　that　Paul's　got　something　to　do　with　the　Henry　killing　the　worst　thing　you're　up　against？〃
　A　frightened　gleam　came　into　Farr's　eyes；　disappeared　as　he　blinked。　He　sat　up　straight　in　his　chair。　〃Well；〃　he　said　cautiously；　〃there's　a　lot　of　feeling　that　we　ought　to've　cleared　the　murder　up　before　this。　That　is　one　of　the　thingsmaybe　one　of　the　biggest。〃
　〃Made　any　progress　since　I　saw　you　last？　Turned　up　anything　new　on　it？〃
　Farr　shook　his　head。　His　eyes　were　wary。
　Ned　Beaumont　smiled　without　warmth。　〃Still　taking　it　slow　on　some　of　the　angles？〃
　The　District　Attorney　squirmed　in　his　chair。　〃Well；　yes；　of　course；　Ned。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　nodded　approvingly。　His　eyes　were　shiny　with　malice。　His　voice　was　a　taunt：　〃Is　the　Ben　Ferriss　angle　one　of　them　that　you're　taking　it　slow　on？〃
　Farr's　blunt　undershot　mouth　opened　and　shut。　He　rubbed　his　lips　together。　His　eyes；　after　their　first　startled　widening；　became　devoid　of　expression。　He　said：　〃I　don't　know　whether　there's　anything　at　all　in　Ferriss's　story　or　not；　Ned。　I　don't　guess　there　is。　I　didn't　even　think　enough　of　it　to　tell　you　about　it。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　laughed　derisively。
　Farr　said：　〃You　know　I　wouldn't　hold　out　anything　on　you　and　Paul；　anything　that　was　important。　You　know　me　well　enough　for　that。〃
　〃We　knew　you　before　you　got　nerves；〃　Ned　Beaumont　replied。　〃But　that's　all　right。　If　you　want　the　fellow　that　was　in　the　car　with　Ferriss　you　can　pick　him　up　right　now　in　room　417　at　the　Majestic。〃
　Farr　was　staring　at　his　green　desk…set；　at　the　dancing　nude　figure　holding　an　airplane　aloft　between　two　slanting　pens。　His　face　was　lumpy。　He　said　nothing。
　Ned　Beaumont　rose　from　his　chair　smiling　with　thin　lips。　He　said：　〃Paul's　always　glad　to　help　the　boys　out　of　holes。　Do　you　think　it　would　help　if　he'd　let　himself　be　arrested　and　tried　for　the　Henry　murder？〃
　Fan　did　not　move　his　eyes　from　the　green　desk…set。　He　said　doggedly：　〃It's　not　for　me　to　tell　Paul　what　to　do。〃
　〃There's　a　thought！〃　Ned　Beaumont　exclaimed。　He　leaned　over　the　side　of　the　desk　until　his　face　was　near　the　District　Attorney's　ear　and　lowered　his　voice　to　a　confidential　key。　〃And　here's　another　one　that　goes　with　it。　It's　not　for　you　to　do　much　Paul　wouldn't　tell　you　to　do。〃
　He　went　out　grinning；　but　stopped　grinning　when　he　was　outside。
　
　
　
　
　VIII。The　Kiss…Off
　
　1
　
　Ned　Beaumont　opened　a　door　marked　East　State　Construction　6　Contracting　pany　and　exchanged　good…afternoons　with　the　two　young　ladies　at　desks　inside；　then　he　passed　through　a　larger　room　in　which　there　were　half　a　dozen　men　to　whom　he　spoke　and　opened　a　door　marked　Private。　He　went　into　a　square　room　where　Paul　Madvig　sat　at　a　battered　desk　looking　at　papers　placed　in　front　of　him　by　a　small　man　who　hovered　respectfully　over　his　shoulder。
　Madvig　raised　his　head　and　said：　〃Hello；　Ned。〃　He　pushed　the　papers　aside　and　told　the　small　man：　〃Bring　this　junk　back　after　while。〃
　The　small　man　gathered　up　his　papers　and；　saying；　〃Certainly；　sir；〃　and；　〃How　do　you　do；　Mr。　Beaumont？〃　left　the　room。
　Madvig　said：　〃You　look　like　you'd　had　a　tough　night；　Ned。　What'd　you　do？　Sit　down。〃
　Ned　Beaumont　had　taken　off　his　overcoat。　He　put　it　on　a　chair；　put　his　hat　on　it；　and　took　out　a　cigar。　〃No；　I'm　all　right。　What's　new　in　your　life？〃　He　sat　on　a　corner　of　the　battered　desk。
　〃I　wish　you'd　go　see　M'Laughlin；〃　the　blond　man　said。　〃You　can　handle　him　if　anybody　can。〃
　〃All　right。　What's　the　matter　with　him？〃
　Madvig　grimaced。　〃Christ　knows！　I　thought　I　had　him　lined　up；　but　he's　going　shifty　on　us。〃
　A　somber　gleam　came　into　Ned　Beaumont's　dark　eyes。　He　looked　down　at　the　blond　man　and　said：　〃Him　too；　huh？〃
　Madvig　asked　slowly；　after　a　moment's　deliberation：　〃What　do　you　mean　by　that；　Ned？〃
　Ned　Beaumont's　reply　was　another　question：　〃Is　everything　going　along　to　suit　you？〃
　Madvig　moved　his　big　shoulders　impatiently；　but　his　eyes　did　not　lose　their　surveying　stare。　〃Nor　so　damned　bad　either；〃　he　said。　〃We　can　get　along　without　M'Laughlin's　batch　of　votes　if　we　have　to。〃
　〃Maybe；〃　Ned　Beaumont's　lips　had　bee　thin；　〃but　we　can't　keep　on　losing　them　and　e　out　all　right。〃　He　put　his　cigar　in　a　corner　of　his　mouth　and　said　around　it：　〃You　know　we're　not　as　well　off　as　we　were　two　weeks　ago。〃
　Madvig　grinned　indulgently　at　the　man　on　his　desk。　〃