Under the solitary light,five men played poker with
soiled cards. That would be most unfortunate for him, replied Romano suavely. It
dont do to pioneer in the West anymore. Or would he, instead, see new delightful
path for blackmailopening up before his dazzled eyes?
From the black sky, white water falls, smiled Chan,
looking aloft. Well, lets get out of your old county, then.
His manner was gayenough, but there was a note of
disappointment in his voice. Would such a man report at once topolice? He made an
investigation of the plentiful snow along thepassage. From a pauper I ascend
suddenly to the position of a man ofproperty. Same wascomposed, I believe, at
Stresa, on Lago Maggiore. Things dont seem to be prosperingaround here right
now.
I assuredly did, and I believe he was the man we
seek. The enjoyment would be mutual, Charlie returned. Swan remained in for the
hand, lost it and also stood up.
Chan, old Sam Holt said, youve sure struck the
right lead now.
Night life in these parts; I dontknow what youre
looking for, but it aint here. Just nowI think it important that we investigate a
certain door up-stairs. A pleasant one, no doubt, Chan replied, also taking a
chair.
For which remark, Don Holt replied, you draw the
back seat, an thesnow that goes with it.
Get your coat, an well have a look at it. So far,
Charlie told him, we have been ringing wooden bell. Humbly suggest you owe me
tendollars, he said. He was on his back, the strangershands were at his throat, he
sought, vainly, to tear them away.
Presently we may give more thoughtto the
safe.
In the dead silence that followed there was
something sinister anddisturbing.
Which, if I interpret correctly, means you are
nowhere? He could travel by thatmethod for a while in either direction. I gaze in
turn at the aquamarine waters, the fierce blue sky,the snow-capped
Alps.
Not much doing, one of the players
responded.
Our researches in that timehave been amazingly
extensive, but lack definite results.