The group pressed forward. You could have heard a pin drop.
Slowly Tommy spoke.
“The papers that Danvers brought over from America in the _Lusitania_.”
The effect of his words was electrical. Every one was on his feet.The German waved them back. He leaned over Tommy, his face purple withexcitement.
“_Himmel!_ You have got them, then?”
With magnificent calm Tommy shook his head.
“You know where they are?” persisted the German.
Again Tommy shook his head. “Not in the least.”
“Then--then----” angry and baffled, the words failed him.
Tommy looked round. He saw anger and bewilderment on every face, but hiscalm assurance had done its work--no one doubted but that something laybehind his words.
“I don’t know where the papers are--but I believe that I can find them.I have a theory----”
“Pah!”
Tommy raised his hand, and silenced the clamours of disgust.
“I call it a theory--but I’m pretty sure of my facts--facts that areknown to no one but myself. In any case what do you lose? If I canproduce the papers--you give me my life and liberty in exchange. Is it abargain?”
“And if we refuse?” said the German quietly.
Tommy lay back on the couch.
“The 29th,” he said thoughtfully, “is less than a fortnight ahead----”
For a moment the German hesitated. Then he made a sign to Conrad.
“Take him into the other room.”
For five minutes, Tommy sat on the bed in the dingy room next door. Hisheart was beating violently. He had risked all on this throw. How wouldthey decide? And all the while that this agonized questioning went onwithin him, he talked flippantly to Conrad, enraging the cross-graineddoorkeeper to the point of homicidal mania.
At last the door opened, and the German called imperiously to Conrad toreturn.
“Let’s hope the judge hasn’t put his black cap on,” remarked Tommyfrivolously. “That’s right, Conrad, march me in. The prisoner is at thebar, gentlemen.”
The German was seated once more behind the table. He motioned to Tommyto sit down opposite to him.
“We accept,” he said harshly, “on terms. The papers must be delivered tous before you go free.”
“Idiot!” said Tommy amiably. “How do you think I can look for them ifyou keep me tied by the leg here?”
“What do you expect, then?”
“I must have liberty to go about the business in my own way.”
The German laughed.
“Do you think we are little children to let you walk out of here leavingus a pretty story full of promises?”
“No,” said Tommy thoughtfully. “Though infinitely simpler for me, Idid not really think you would agree to that plan. Very well, we mustarrange a compromise. How would it be if you attached little Conrad hereto my person. He’s a faithful fellow, and very ready with the fist.”
“We prefer,” said the German coldly, “that you should remain here.One of our number will carry out your instructions minutely. If theoperations are complicated, he will return to you with a report and youcan instruct him further.”
“You’re tying my hands,” complained Tommy. “It’s a very delicate affair,and the other fellow will muff it up as likely as not, and then whereshall I be? I don’t believe one of you has got an ounce of tact.”
The German rapped the table.
“Those are our terms. Otherwise, death!”
Tommy leaned back wearily.
“I like your style. Curt, but attractive. So be it, then. But one thingis essential, I must see the girl.”
“What girl?”
“Jane Finn, of course.”
The other looked at him curiously for some minutes, then he said slowly,and as though choosing his words with care:
“Do you not know that she can tell you nothing?”
Tommy’s heart beat a little faster. Would he succeed in coming face toface with the girl he was seeking?
“I shall not ask her to tell me anything,” he said quietly. “Not in somany words, that is.”
“Then why see her?”
Tommy paused.
“To watch her face when I ask her one question,” he replied at last.
Again there was a look in the German’s eyes that Tommy did not quiteunderstand.
“She will not be able to answer your question.”
“That does not matter. I shall have seen her face when I ask it.”
“And you think that will tell you anything?” He gave a shortdisagreeable laugh. More than ever, Tommy felt that there was afactor somewhere that he did not understand. The German looked athim searchingly. “I wonder whether, after all, you know as much as wethink?” he said softly.
Tommy felt his ascendancy less sure than a moment before. His hold hadslipped a little. But he was puzzled. What had he said wrong? He spokeout on the impulse of the moment.
“There may be things that you know which I do not. I have not pretendedto be aware of all the details of your show. But equally I’ve gotsomething up my sleeve that _you_ don’t know about. And that’s where Imean to score. Danvers was a damned clever fellow----” He broke off asif he had said too much.
But the German’s face had lightened a little.
“Danvers,” he murmured. “I see----” He paused a minute, then waved toConrad. “Take him away. Upstairs--you know.”
“Wait a minute,” said Tommy. “What about the girl?”
“That may perhaps be arranged.”
“It must be.”
“We will see about it. Only one person can decide that.”
“Who?” asked Tommy. But he knew the answer.
“Mr. Brown----”
“Shall I see him?”
“Perhaps.”
“Come,” said Conrad harshly.
Tommy rose obediently. Outside the door his gaoler motioned to him tomount the stairs. He himself followed close behind. On the floor aboveConrad opened a door and Tommy passed into a small room. Conrad lit ahissing gas burner and went out. Tommy heard the sound of the key beingturned in the lock.
He set to work to examine his prison. It was a smaller room than theone downstairs, and there was something peculiarly airless about theatmosphere of it. Then he realized that there was no window. He walkedround it. The walls were filthily dirty, as everywhere else. Fourpictures hung crookedly on the wall representing scenes from Faust.Marguerite with her box of jewels, the church scene, Siebel and hisflowers, and Faust and Mephistopheles. The latter brought Tommy’s mindback to Mr. Brown again. In this sealed and closed chamber, with itsclose-fitting heavy door, he felt cut off from the world, and thesinister power of the arch-criminal seemed more real. Shout as he would,no one could ever hear him. The place was a living tomb....
With an effort Tommy pulled himself together. He sank on to the bedand gave himself up to reflection. His head ached badly; also, he washungry. The silence of the place was dispiriting.
“Anyway,” said Tommy, trying to cheer himself, “I shall see thechief--the mysterious Mr. Brown and with a bit of luck in bluffing Ishall see the mysterious Jane Finn also. After that----”
After that Tommy was forced to admit the prospect looked dreary.