I'm not
such an idiot as all that. Now we'll indulge in a little plain talk.
You are a couple of low-down sneak thieves, both of you. Of the--"
"Hold on, Grand!" snapped Dick. "None of that!"
"Of the two, Ernie is the lower. You miserable, misshapen scoundrel,
you are worse than the vilest thief that ever lived. Dick is an angel
compared--" "I'll get you for that!" quavered Dick, so shaken by rage
that he could scarcely hold himself erect.
"No, you won't," squeaked Ernie. "I'll get him! I'll cut his heart
out!"
Grand reached out with his left hand and touched a button in the wall.
In the other hand gleamed a revolver.
"If I press either the button or the trigger it will mean the end of
you, you dogs. Now, listen to me. At the foot of the stairs are two
policemen and a couple of detectives. They were duped into coming here
by the word that a sucker was to be fleeced in Broadso's rooms to-
night. All I have to do is to press the button and call for help. This
hallway will swarm with waiters and men from all the rooms, and the
cops will come on the run. I have nothing to do but to turn you over
to them as a couple of thieves who came here to rob me.
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