"The man was mad."
"Well, he went a bit woozy towards the end. It's enough to make a manbug-house when he has to play a part from morning to night with
ahundred guys all ready to set the coppers wise to him. But now there isSteiner--"
Von Bork started violently, and his ruddy face turned a shade paler.
"What about Steiner?"
"Well, they've got him, that's all. They raided his store last night,and he and his papers are all in Portsmouth jail. You'll go off andhe, poor devil, will have to stand the racket, and lucky if he gets offwith his life. That's why I want to get over the water as soon as youdo."
Von Bork was a strong, self-contained man, but it was easy to see thatthe news had shaken him.
"How could they have got on to Steiner?" he muttered. "That's theworst blow yet."
"Well, you nearly had a worse one, for I believe they are not far offme."
"You don't mean that!"
"Sure thing. My landlady down Fratton way had some inquiries, and whenI heard of it I guessed it was time for me to hustle. But what I wantto know, mister, is how the coppers know these things? Steiner is thefifth man you've lost since I signed on with you, and I know the nameof the sixth if I don't get a move on. How do you explain it, andain't you ashamed to see your men go down like this?"
Von Bork flushed crimson.
"How dare you speak in such a way!"
"If I didn't dare things, mister, I wouldn't be in your service. ButI'll tell you straight what is in my mind. I've heard that with youGerman politicians when an agent has done his work you are not sorry tosee him put away."
Von Bork sprang to his feet.
"Do you dare to suggest that I have given away my own agents!"
"I don't stand for that, mister, but there's a stool pigeon or a crosssomewhere, and it's up to you to find out where it is. Anyhow I amtaking no more chances. It's me for little Holland, and the sooner thebetter."
Von Bork had mastered his anger.
"We have been allies too long to quarrel now at the very hour ofvictory," he said. "You've done splendid work and taken risks, and Ican't forget it. By all means go to Holland, and you can get a boatfrom Rotterdam to New York. No other line will be safe a week fromnow. I'll take that book and pack it with the rest."
The American held the small parcel in his hand, but made no motion togive it up.
"What about the dough?" he asked.
"The what?"
"The boodle. The reward. The 500 pounds. The gunner turned damnednasty at the last, and I had to square him with an extra hundreddollars or it would have been nitsky for you and me. 'Nothin' doin'!'says he, and he meant it, too, but the last hundred did it. It's costme two hundred pound from first to last, so it isn't likely I'd give itup without gettin' my wad."
Von Bork smiled with some bitterness. "You don't seem to have a veryhigh opinion of my honour," said he, "you want the money before yougive up the book."
"Well, mister, it is a business proposition."
"All right. Have your way." He sat down at the table and scribbled acheck, which he tore from the book, but he refrained from handing it tohis companion. "After all, since we are to be on such terms, Mr.Altamont," said he, "I don't see why I should trust you any more thanyou trust me. Do you understand?" he added, looking back over hisshoulder at the American. "There's the check upon the table. I claimthe right to examine that parcel before you pick the money up."
The American passed it over without a word. Von Bork undid a windingof string and two wrappers of paper. Then he sat gazing for a momentin silent amazement at a small blue book which lay before him. Acrossthe cover was printed in golden letters Practical Handbook of BeeCulture. Only for one instant did the master spy glare at thisstrangely irrelevant inscription. The next he was gripped at the backof his neck by a grasp of iron, and a chloroformed sponge was held infront of his writhing face.
"Another glass, Watson!" said Mr. Sherlock Holmes as he extended thebottle of Imperial Tokay.
The thickset chauffeur, who had seated himself by the table, pushedforward his glass with some eagerness.
"It is a good wine, Holmes."