CHAPTER XXIV. JULIUS TAKES A HAND
IN his suite at Claridge’s, Kramenin reclined on a couch and dictated tohis secretary in sibilant Russian.
Presently the telephone at the secretary’s elbow purred, and he took upthe receiver, spoke for a minute or two, then turned to his employer.
“Some one below is asking for you.”
“Who is it?”
“He gives the name of Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer.”
“Hersheimmer,” repeated Kramenin thoughtfully. “I have heard that namebefore.”
“His father was one of the steel kings of America,” explained thesecretary, whose business it was to know everything. “This young manmust be a millionaire several times over.”
The other’s eyes narrowed appreciatively.
“You had better go down and see him, Ivan. Find out what he wants.”
The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In a fewminutes he returned.
“He declines to state his business--says it is entirely private andpersonal, and that he must see you.”
“A millionaire several times over,” murmured Kramenin. “Bring him up, mydear Ivan.”
The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting Julius.
“Monsieur Kramenin?” said the latter abruptly.
The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous eyes,bowed.
“Pleased to meet you,” said the American. “I’ve got some very importantbusiness I’d like to talk over with you, if I can see you alone.” Helooked pointedly at the other.
“My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets.”
“That may be so--but I have,” said Julius dryly. “So I’d be obliged ifyou’d tell him to scoot.”
“Ivan,” said the Russian softly, “perhaps you would not mind retiringinto the next room----”
“The next room won’t do,” interrupted Julius. “I know these ducalsuites--and I want this one plumb empty except for you and me. Send himround to a store to buy a penn’orth of peanuts.”
Though not particularly enjoying the American’s free and easy mannerof speech, Kramenin was devoured by curiosity. “Will your business takelong to state?”
“Might be an all night job if you caught on.”
“Very good, Ivan. I shall not require you again this evening. Go to thetheatre--take a night off.”
“Thank you, your excellency.”
The secretary bowed and departed.
Julius stood at the door watching his retreat. Finally, with a satisfiedsigh, he closed it, and came back to his position in the centre of theroom.
“Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to thepoint?”
“I guess that won’t take a minute,” drawled Julius. Then, with an abruptchange of manner: “Hands up--or I shoot!”
For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic, then, withalmost comical haste, he flung up his hands above his head. In thatinstant Julius had taken his measure. The man he had to deal with was anabject physical coward--the rest would be easy.
“This is an outrage,” cried the Russian in a high hysterical voice. “Anoutrage! Do you mean to kill me?”
“Not if you keep your voice down. Don’t go edging sideways towards thatbell. That’s better.”
“What do you want? Do nothing rashly. Remember my life is of the utmostvalue to my country. I may have been maligned----”
“I reckon,” said Julius, “that the man who let daylight into you wouldbe doing humanity a good turn. But you needn’t worry any. I’m notproposing to kill you this trip--that is, if you’re reasonable.”
The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other’s eyes. Hepassed his tongue over his dry lips.
“What do you want? Money?”
“No. I want Jane Finn.”
“Jane Finn? I--never heard of her!”
“You’re a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean.”
“I tell you I’ve never heard of the girl.”
“And I tell you,” retorted Julius, “that Little Willie here is justhopping mad to go off!”
The Russian wilted visibly.
“You wouldn’t dare----”
“Oh, yes, I would, son!”
Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carriedconviction, for he said sullenly:
“Well? Granted I do know who you mean--what of it?”
“You will tell me now--right here--where she is to be found.”
Kramenin shook his head.
“I daren’t.”
“Why not?”
“I daren’t. You ask an impossibility.”
“Afraid, eh? Of whom? Mr. Brown? Ah, that tickles you up! There is sucha person, then? I doubted it. And the mere mention of him scares youstiff!”
“I have seen him,” said the Russian slowly. “Spoken to him face to face.I did not know it until afterwards. He was one of a crowd. I should notknow him again. Who is he really? I do not know. But I know this--he isa man to fear.”
“He’ll never know,” said Julius.
“He knows everything--and his vengeance is swift. EvenI--Kramenin!--would not be exempt!”
“Then you won’t do as I ask you?”
“You ask an impossibility.”
“Sure that’s a pity for you,” said Julius cheerfully. “But the world ingeneral will benefit.” He raised the revolver.
“Stop,” shrieked the Russian. “You cannot mean to shoot me?”
“Of course I do. I’ve always heard you Revolutionists held life cheap,but it seems there’s a difference when it’s your own life in question.I gave you just one chance of saving your dirty skin, and that youwouldn’t take!”
“They would kill me!”
“Well,” said Julius pleasantly, “it’s up to you. But I’ll just say this.Little Willie here is a dead cert, and if I was you I’d take a sportingchance with Mr. Brown!”
“You will hang if you shoot me,” muttered the Russian irresolutely.
“No, stranger, that’s where you’re wrong. You forget the dollars. Abig crowd of solicitors will get busy, and they’ll get some high-browdoctors on the job, and the end of it all will be that they’ll say mybrain was unhinged. I shall spend a few months in a quiet sanatorium, mymental health will improve, the doctors will declare me sane again, andall will end happily for little Julius. I guess I can bear a few months’retirement in order to rid the world of you, but don’t you kid yourselfI’ll hang for it!”
The Russian believed him. Corrupt himself, he believed implicitly in thepower of money. He had read of American murder trials running much onthe lines indicated by Julius. He had bought and sold justice himself.This virile young American, with the significant drawling voice, had thewhip hand of him.
“I’m going to count five,” continued Julius, “and I guess, if you let meget past four, you needn’t worry any about Mr. Brown. Maybe he’ll sendsome flowers to the funeral, but _you_ won’t smell them! Are you ready?I’ll begin. One--two--three--four----”
The Russian interrupted with a shriek:
“Do not shoot. I will do all you wish.”
Julius lowered the revolver.
“I thought you’d hear sense. Where is the girl?”
“At Gatehouse, in Kent. Astley Priors, the place is called.”
“Is she a prisoner there?”
“She’s not allowed to leave the house--though it’s safe enough really.The little fool has lost her memory, curse her!”
“That’s been annoying for you and your friends, I reckon. What about theother girl, the one you decoyed away over a week ago?”
“She’s there too,” said the Russian sullenly.
“That’s good,” said Julius. “Isn’t it all panning out beautifully? And alovely night for the run!”
“What run?” demanded Kramenin, with a stare.
“Down to Gatehouse, sure. I hope you’re fond of motoring?”
; “What do you mean? I refuse to go.”
“Now don’t get mad. You must see I’m not such a kid as to leave youhere. You’d ring up your friends on that telephone first thing! Ah!” Heobserved the fall on the other’s face. “You see, you’d got it all fixed.No, sir, you’re coming along with me. This your bedroom next door here?Walk right in. Little Willie and I will come behind. Put on a thickcoat, that’s right. Fur lined? And you a Socialist! Now we’re ready. Wewalk downstairs and out through the hall to where my car’s waiting. Anddon’t you forget I’ve got you covered every inch of the way. I can shootjust as well through my coat pocket. One word, or a glance even, at oneof those liveried menials, and there’ll sure be a strange face in theSulphur and Brimstone Works!”
Together they descended the stairs, and passed out to the waiting car.The Russian was shaking with rage. The hotel servants surrounded them.A cry hovered on his lips, but at the last minute his nerve failed him.The American was a man of his word.
When they reached the car, Julius breathed a sigh of relief. Thedanger-zone was passed. Fear had successfully hypnotized the man by hisside.
“Get in,” he ordered. Then as he caught the other’s sidelong glance,“No, the chauffeur won’t help you any. Naval man. Was on a submarine inRussia when the Revolution broke out. A brother of his was murdered byyour people. George!”
“Yes, sir?” The chauffeur turned his head.
“This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik. We don’t want to shoot him, butit may be necessary. You understand?”
“Perfectly, sir.”
“I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent. Know the road at all?”
“Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half’s run.”
“Make it an hour. I’m in a hurry.”
“I’ll do my best, sir.” The car shot forward through the traffic.