"I am just as sure that he came over here with you to-night as I am
sure that you are sitting there. I thought you'd bring him. That's why
I sent for you. I knew it was the easiest way to get him here. He
wouldn't come if I sent for him, but he'd go anywhere on earth if you
asked him to. We'll wait a quarter of an hour, Ernie, before we
proceed to business. At the end of that period I'll open the door
suddenly and we'll find Artful Dick Cronk standing in the hall. To
make it all the more interesting I'll present you with ten dollars if
he isn't there."
Ernie's ferret-like eyes blinked in sheer amazement. Down in his mean
little heart there always had been a dark fear of this rather imposing
man; in his mind there was a no uncertain estimate of the Colonel's
almost supernatural power to read the thoughts of others.
"If he's outside there I don't know it," he said doggedly.
"You told him I had sent for you, Ernie. Don't lie. I know you did.
It's all right. So, you see, my little strategy worked out
beautifully. I want to see Dick quite as much as I do you. We'll wait
until he comes up to see what's happened to you.
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