mg.cyro-第2部分

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　　　CHAPTER　II　
　　　ONE　MAN　DEPARTS　
　　〃WELL？〃　rasped　Roke。
　　Lence　made　no　reply。　He　framed　a　weak　grin　that　brought　a　sneer　to　Rowden's　lips。
　　〃Speak　up！〃　ordered　Roke；　with　a　significant　gesture　of　his　revolver。
　　〃What's　the　game　you're　working？〃
　　〃Put　up　the　rod；〃　suggested　Lence；　trying　to　regain　his　posure。　〃I'll
　　talk…on　a　friendly　basis。〃
　　〃You'll　talk　the　way　I　want　it。　This　looks　like　a　double　cross；　Tracy。
　　Stand　where　you　are…and　answer　the　questions　that　I　put　to　you。〃
　　〃All　right。　Have　it　your　own　way。〃
　　Eyes　steady　and　gun　leveled；　Rowden　made　a　gesture　with　his　free　hand。　His　thumb…nudge　indicated　the　torn　letter　on　the　table。
　　〃I've　heard　of　this　fellow；　Cyro；〃　announced　Rowden。　〃Supposed　to　be　the　slickest　swindler　in　the　business。　Who　is　he？〃
　　〃I　don't　know；〃　replied　Lence。
　　〃No？〃　snarled　Rowden。　〃Well；　I'll　take　your　word　for　it。　They　say　that　Cyro　is　so　smart　that　even　the　stooges　who　work　for　him　don't　know　who　he　is。
　　Is　that　right？〃
　　〃It　is。〃
　　〃And　you're　one　of　his　outfit？〃
　　〃I　am。〃
　　Roke　relaxed　slightly　and　resumed　his　suavity。　He　did　not　lower　the　revolver；　however。　Lence　still　faced　the　threatening　weapon。
　　〃I　thought　Cyro　was　a　big　shot；〃　he　snorted。　〃One　who　kept　his　stooges　in　the　money。　That　doesn't　seem　to　apply　in　your　case。〃
　　〃It　doesn't；〃　admitted　Lence。　〃I　fluked　one　job　for　him；　Roke。　That　put　me　on　probation。〃
　　〃Probation？〃
　　〃Certainly。　That's　the　way　Cyro　works。　Ordered　me　to　shift　for　myself　for　six　months。　Maybe　he'd　take　me　back　after　that。〃
　　〃He　knew　where　you　were？〃
　　〃Yes。　With　you。〃
　　〃How　did　you　know　this　letter　came　from　him？〃
　　〃I　was　watching　for　it。　I've　taken　a　look　through　the　wastebasket　every　day　I've　been　here。〃
　　〃So　that's　why　you've　kept　ing　around　so　much；　eh？　Double…crossing　me；　on　account　of　Cyro。〃
　　〃Don't　take　that　slant；　Roke。　I'm　playing　on　the　level；　so　far　as　you're　concerned。〃
　　Roke　considered。　There　was　truth　in　Lence's　statement。　The　gun　began　to　lower；　then　Roke　changed　his　mind。　He　saw　a　loophole　in　his　panion's　argument。
　　
　　〃WHEN　we　teamed　up；〃　decided　Roke；　eyeing　Lence　narrowly；　〃we　made　a　straight　fifty…fifty　agreement。　I　said　that　I'd　work　the　front　to　begin　with。
　　You　could　be　the　blind。　But　the　gag　was　fifty…fifty；　wasn't　it？〃
　　〃Certainly。〃
　　〃All　right。　We　trim　Lucaster　tonight。　Then　we　tackle　this　Cyro　business　…
　　fifty…fifty。〃
　　〃I　can't　let　you　in　on　it；　Roke。〃
　　〃Why　not？〃
　　〃Cyro　wouldn't　have　it；　that's　all。　Be　reasonable；　Roke。　Here's　a　proposition　for　you：　I'll　go　through　with　this　Lucaster　deal；　but　I'll　only　take　five　grand。　All　the　rest　will　be　yours。　Our　partnership　will　be　ended。〃
　　〃That　doesn't　suit　me；　Tracy。〃
　　Lence　considered。
　　〃Take　all　of　it；　Roke；〃　he　pleaded。　〃That's　fair　enough；　isn't　it？　All　yours　and　quits。〃
　　〃That　doesn't　sound　bad；〃　remarked　Roke；　with　a　touch　of　sarcasm　in　his　tone。　〃Not　bad　at　all。　At　least　it　wouldn't；　if　it　came　from　some　other　guy　than　you。
　　〃But　I　haven't　forgotten　a　crack　you　made…just　before　I　went　out　to　the　bank。　You　called　twenty…five　grand　chicken　feed。　I　was　thinking　that　over　while　I　was　out。　I　thought　it　was　just　big　talk；　ing　from　a　fellow　who　was　on　his　uppers。　Now　I've　got　the　answer。
　　〃I　guess　twenty…five　grand　is　small　change　to　you。　It　would　be；　for　a　fellow　that　used　to　work　with　Cyro。　I'd　like　to　be　in　with　his　outfit　myself。
　　Do　you　hear　that；　Tracy？〃
　　〃I　do。　But　it　couldn't　be　arranged。〃
　　〃Why　not？〃
　　〃You　wouldn't　make　the　grade。〃
　　Rowden　became　tense。　His　face　took　on　a　vicious　expression。　For　a　moment；　he　was　threatening　with　the　revolver。　Lence　smiled。
　　〃No　offense；　Roke；〃　he　remarked。　〃I　simply　stated　a　fact。　That　was　all。
　　Cyro　picks　the　men　he　wants。　He　is　particular。　To　begin　with；　his　associates　have　to　be　gentlemen…〃
　　〃Why　you…〃
　　〃Gentlemen；　I　said。　Men　who　can　talk　and　act　like　gentlemen。　Not　posers　who　go　in　for　pointed　mustaches　and　swagger　around　with　a　cane。　That　may　bluff　retired　business　men　from　Iowa。　It　doesn't　go　with　the　Four　Hundred。
　　〃That's　where　Cyro　finds　the　saps…among　the　upper　crust。　But　he　leaves　the　plucking　to　fellows　like　myself…〃
　　Lence　broke　off。　He　was　telling　Rowden　too　much。　Roke　caught　the　reason　for　the　interruption。
　　〃Fellows　like　yourself；　eh？〃　he　quizzed。　〃And　like　Brilliard；　the　man　mentioned　in　the　note。　So　you　don't　know　who　Cyro　is。　Well…who's　Brilliard？〃
　　〃I　never　met　him；　Roke。　He's　probably　someone　working　for　Cyro。〃
　　〃Who　have　you　met　in　Cyro's　outfit？〃
　　
　　LENCE　made　no　response。　Nonchalantly；　he　began　to　puff　his　cigarette。　Each　time　he　removed　the　cigarette　from　his　lips；　he　kept　his　hand　high　and　away　from　his　body；　out　of　respect　to　Rowden's　leveled　gun。
　　〃Gentlemen！〃　snapped　Rowden。　〃You　and　the　rest　of　them。　I　can't　make　the　grade；　the　way　you　look　at　it。　Calling　it　quits。　That's　your　proposition。〃
　　〃You　make　twenty…five　grand；〃　reminded　Lence。　〃The　full　haul　from　this　Lucaster　sucker。〃
　　〃I　was　taking　half　of　it　anyway；〃　sneered　Rowden；　〃and　you　wouldn't　be　offering　me　your　cut　if　I　hadn't　talked　terms　with　this　gat　I'm　holding。　I'm　no　chiseler；　Tracy；　but　you　are。　You've　proved　it。
　　〃Now　I'll　do　the　talking。　You'll　take　the　fifty…fifty　split　I　offered。　But　you'll　let　me　in　on　this　Cyro　proposition。　Wait　a　minute〃…he　paused　as　Lence　made　a　gesture；　〃I'm　not　going　to　ask　you　to　queer　yourself　with　Cyro。　You　don't　have　to　spill　any　news　about　me。
　　〃When　we　take　it　on　the　lam；　we'll　head　for　New　Orleans　together。　You　go　about　your　business。　I'll　play　the　silent　partner。　You　know　I　can　keep　a　good　thing　to　myself。　So　you　won't　be　spoiling　Cyro's　game。　But　remember：　it　will　be　fifty…fifty；　between　us。〃
　　〃Not　a　chance；　Roke。〃　Lence　spoke　seriously；　as　he　poised　his　hand　above　an　ash　stand　and　let　the　cigarette　stump　fall。　〃I'm　giving　you　straight　stuff　when　I　tell　you　that　the　deal　wouldn't　work。　There's　no　money　for　me　when　I　get　to　New　Orleans。〃
　　〃No？　Then　why　are　you　passing　up　your　cut　here？〃
　　〃Because　I　want　to　get　back　with　Cyro。　This　trip　means　expenses。　Nothing　more。　After　that；　maybe　I'll　get　something　better。　I'm　playing　for　the　future；　that's　all。〃
　　〃So　am　I。〃
　　〃All　right。　Maybe　I　can　fix　it　for　you。　Wait　until　I　get　with　Cyro。　If　I　work　well　on　this　deal　he's　pulling…whatever　it　is…I　may　have　a　chance　to　boost　you　in　with　the　outfit。〃
　　〃But　you　say　you've　never　met　Cyro。〃
　　〃I've　reported　through　to　him。　I'll　do　the　same　again。　I　won't　forget　you；　Roke。　Put　up　that　gat。　Let's　get　set　for　this　fall…guy　from　Des　Moines。〃
　　〃Get　me　straight；〃　rasped　Roke；　with　a　warning　thrust　of　the　gun；　〃I'm
　　going　to　New　Orleans！　My　proposition　stays。　No　other。〃
　　〃But　you　can't　force　me　to　it。〃
　　〃Can't　I？　I　could　drill　you　and　walk　out　of　here　without　a　person　knowing　it。　That's　what　I'll　do；　too；　unless　you　e　clean。　Take　my　terms；　and　if　I　find　you　trying　to　double…cross　me；　I'll　queer　Cyro's　game。
　　〃I　know　enough　about　it〃…Roke　delivered　an　ugly　laugh…〃enough　to　put　the　skids　under　it。　There's　the　proposition；　Tracy。　Are　you　taking　it？〃
　　〃I　guess　so；〃　replied　Lence；　wearily。　〃Put　up　the　gat；　Roke。　What　you　say　goes。　You're　in…on　your　own　terms。〃
　　Roke　lowered　his　gun。　His　suave　smile　returned。　Lence；　a　bit　dejected；　came　toward　his　panion。　Roke　watched　him　fumble　for　his　cigarette　case。
　　Lence　brought　the　object　from　his　left　coat　pocket。　He　offered　a　cigarette　to　Roke；　who　shook　his　head。　Lence　helped　himself　to　one。
　　〃Got　a　match；　Roke？〃　he　asked；　in　a　humble　tone。　〃I　think　I　used　my　last　one。〃
　　Roke　started　to　feel　in　his　left　coat　pocket。　Lence；　in　a　natural　fashion；　copied　the　action；　putting　his　right　hand　to　his　coat。　Suddenly　his　hand　came　snapping　into　view。
　　Roke；　with　a　snarl；　raised　his　revolver　to　fire。　He　was　too　late。
　　A　gun　had　flashed　in　Lence's　right　hand。　Point…blank；　Lence　loosed　a　shot　at　Rowden　from　a　range　of　three　feet。
　　Roke's　rising　gun　stopped　short。　A　pained　expression　came　over　the　man's　mustached　face。
　　With　gasped　groans；　Roke　Rowden　dropped　his　revolver。　Hunching；　he　pressed　his　hands　to　his　breast；　then；　with　a　sickly　expression；　he　subsided　to　the　floor。　He　lay　there　moaning；　unable　to　pick　up　his　gun。　The　man　was　mortally　wounded。
　　
　　〃THANKS　for　the　tip；　Roke；〃　sneered　Lence；　lighting　his　cigarette。　〃I　thought　you　were　bluffing　with　that　gat；　until　you　reminded　me　that　the　shot　would　not　be　heard。　I　forgot　that　the　near…by　apartments　were　vacant。
　　〃I'd　like　to　help　you　out　of　misery〃…Lence　paused　as　he　picked　up　the　torn　pieces　of　Cyro's　letter　and　the　translation　that　went　with　them…〃but　it　would　not　be　artistic。　You　might　pass　for　a　suicide；　the　way　you're　dying。　A　second　bullet…through　your　brain…would　be　a　give…away。〃
　　The　glass　of　water　was　standing　on　the　desk；　beside　it　lay　Lence's　handkerchief。　Lence　polished　the　sides　of　the　glass；　then　tipped　it　with　his　elbow。　The　glass　toppled　from　the　table。　It　broke　upon　the　fringe　of　a　rug　and　its　contents　trickled　along　the　floor。
　　〃Maybe　they'll　think　you　were　going　to　try　poison；　Roke；〃　suggested　Lence。
　　〃Maybe　they　won't。　It　doesn't　matter；　either　way。　They　won't　weep　over　a　con　man　gone　to　blighty。　This；　however；　is　most　important。〃
　　Lence　was　polishing　the　handle　of　his　revolver。　Stopping　by　Roke's　side；　he　grasped　the　dying　man's　sleeve　and　tugged　a　hand　into　view。　He　shoved　his　own　gun　into　Roke's　fist。　Roke's　fingers　loosened；　but　one　digit　caught　the　trigger　guard。　The　gun　remained。
　　In　case　the　police　inspected　the　murder　bullet；　the　gun　Lence　had　substituted　in　Rowden's　hand　would　be　proven　the　one　which　had　fired　the　shot。
　　Lence　was　building　up　a　suicide　theory。
　　A　bulge　showed　in　the　dying　man's　coat。　With　professional　skill；　Lence　thrust　his　hand　into　Roke's　inside　pocket　and　produced　a　bulky　wallet。　Opening　it；　Lence　drew　forth　a　wad　of　bank　notes。
　　He　looked　at　his　victim's　huddled　form　and　laughed　at　Roke's　paled　expression。　The　gun　was　dangling　neatly　from　Roke's　fingers；　as　though　the　hand　had　relaxed　without　pletely　losing　hold。　Roke's　eyes　were　closed。　His　shoulders　hea