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mg.cyro-第10部分

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  〃I know that; Royal;〃 returned the young man; quickly。 〃And I've got good news for you。 I could have told you a couple of nights ago; but I didn't want to bother you。〃
  〃Considerate of you;〃 remarked Royal; with a slight tone of sarcasm。
  〃Don't mind about bothering me in the future。 That is; when you have dough。〃
  〃I don't have it yet。 But it's in the bag。〃
  〃That's what you told me a month ago。〃
  〃Listen; Royal。 I told you…〃
  〃You've told me a great many stories; Luke。 They don't always jibe。 That's the trouble。〃
  〃I'm not trying to bluff you; Royal。〃
  Medbrook made no reply。 His eyes; however; held a doubtful look。 Luke's voice became almost pleading。
  〃Listen to me; Royal;〃 he persisted。 〃I'll go back to the beginning。
  You'll see I haven't changed my story。 About a month ago; I owed you ten thousand dollars; didn't I?〃
  〃Nine thousand eight hundred and fifty;〃 returned Medbrook; looking at one of the slips on his desk。
  〃You wanted your money; Royal。 I told you I'd try to borrow it from Dunwood Marr; who was ing to see us。 Then I heard the governor say something to old Professor Babcock…about selling the Nautilus to Marr。 The gov and Babcock went into the office for a conference with Captain Emory。 I listened in。 That's how I found out that the yacht was going after Spanish treasure。〃
  〃To be brought back within a month。〃
  〃Yes。 That's what I told you。 Marr bought the yacht; but didn't call for immediate delivery。 That financed the trip; like I told you。 You said you'd hold off collecting my debt。 You promised me more credit。〃
  〃Which I gave you。〃
  〃Yes。 Now I'm in a hole for about fifteen thousand。〃
  〃Not quite。 It was fifteen thousand eight hundred。 Deducting your twelve hundred gain tonight reduces it to fourteen thousand six hundred。 But the month is about up; Luke。〃
  〃I know it。 And the treasure is on the Nautilus。〃
  
  ROYAL MEDBROOK stared steadily at Luke。 He saw an expression of real satisfaction upon the young man's face。 It was plain that Luke had learned something。 As Royal watched him; Luke decided to explain。
  〃Marr came to town a few days ago;〃 asserted Luke。 〃He talked with the governor and I listened in。 The old man told him the good news。 Wireless from Emory。 They were raising the treasure。〃
  〃Wait a moment; Luke。〃 Medbrook spoke steadily。 〃That doesn't fit with your previous story。 Marr wasn't in on the know。〃
  〃He is now。 The governor had to tell him…on account of the Nautilus being delayed。〃
  〃I see。 What was Marr's reaction?〃
  〃Tickled silly。 Glad to see the governor ing through with a big haul。
  The gov promised Marr the Nautilus as a present; because of the aid he had given without knowing it。〃
  〃And Marr accepted?〃
  〃Only if the haul es to more than two million。 Marr doesn't need money。
  He gets his from those Mexican mines。〃
  〃Then you expect the Nautilus…〃
  〃Early next week。 And you know how liberal the governor is with me …
  provided he has the money。 Well; he'll have it; Royal; and…〃
  〃He won't have it if he talks too much。〃
  〃Marr is the only person he talked to。 Outside of old Babcock; who's on the cruise。〃
  〃What about this young chap; Exeter? The one who is staying at your house?〃
  〃I'm watching him。 He hasn't made a move。 Has a crush on Alicia。 That's why he's around。 The governor's keeping mum; Royal。〃
  〃And are you?〃
  〃Positively; Royal! I see what you're getting at。 Making friends like Lence and Cranston might worry you。 Well; don't let it。 I'm staking everything on this treasure。 I only told you because I didn't want the governor to know that I'd gone over my depth。〃
  〃You told me because you needed money;〃 announced Medbrook; steadily。 〃I postponed your debt payment。 I gave you further credit because I figured the more you were around here; the less chance there would be of your blabbing。
  〃But I have no proof that you have not tried the same story with others。
  It sounds good enough…the way you've told it…to get a few thousand from a man who has cash to spare。 There are plenty of such fellows out here; Luke。〃
  〃I'm giving you my word; Royal。 I haven't spoken to a soul about it…〃
  〃Then don't。 If you need cash; e to me。 I'll let you have it…as much as is good for you…in addition to that credit you have here。 All on the account; you understand。〃
  〃Thanks; Royal; that's white of you。 I won't abuse the privilege。 What's more; I'll dodge Lence when he calls up。 And I'll keep away from Cranston too…〃
  〃Don't do that;〃 interrupted Medbrook。 〃You have made those acquaintances。
  Keep them。 But don't sponge。 Don't borrow。 And on the contrary; don't splurge。
  Be yourself…a young man of a good family。 In moderate circumstances。
  〃Remember; you will have to impress your father after his ship es in。
  If he sees that you are making acquaintances among men who appear to be wealthy; he will be more inclined to finance you after the wealth arrives。
  〃Unless you use mon sense; the deal will be off。 Play straight。 Let me know as soon as the Nautilus is due; so I can keep posted。 Those terms are fair。〃
  〃Sure they are; Royal。 I'll play the game。〃
  〃Turn in half your chips for cash。 That's six hundred。 Don't squander it。
  Put the others against your account。 Play some of them back if you want。 But if you lose them all; don't cry for more tonight。〃
  〃All right; Royal。〃
  
  MEDBROOK wrote out an order and handed it to Luke。 The young man arose and walked from the office。 Tony came in and looked quizzical。
  〃Anything new; boss?〃 he asked。
  〃Nothing;〃 replied Medbrook。 〃You can go; Tony。〃
  〃But this fellow Tracy Lence…〃
  〃He's not the one the New York dick is after。〃
  〃Then if he es here again…〃
  〃Don't bother him。〃
  Tony went out。 Shortly afterward; Medbrook arose from his desk。 Peering eyes watched from behind the curtain。 The Shadow saw a wise smile creep over the gambler's lips。 Medbrook followed the path that Tony had taken。
  Ten minutes later; Royal Medbrook returned after a brief tour through the gaming room。 Again; his wise lips formed their smile。 Methodically; the gambler tried the door to the card room to make sure it was locked。 It was。
  No eyes were watching the gambler's return。 The space behind the curtain was empty。 The Shadow had departed; locking the door to the card room after his exit。
  
  OUTSIDE; Lamont Cranston entered a taxi and told the driver to take him to New Orleans。 As the cab headed townward; a soft; almost inaudible laugh came from The Shadow's disguised lips。
  Tonight; The Shadow had learned of a game that was big enough to attract the famous Cyro。 He had arranged a visit to the Gaudrin mansion; a trip that would put him in close contact with those concerned in the matter of the Spanish treasure。
  But more than that; he had analyzed the circumstances。 He had considered the potentialities of ing crime。 Keen in his judgment; he had classed Luke Gaudrin as a weakling。 More than that; he had sized the part that Royal Medbrook was playing in this game of wealth。
  
   CHAPTER XI 
   CROOKS AGREE 
  THE next morning found Raoul Brilliard at his easel。 Still working upon the finishing touches of the portrait; the bearded artist was humming a catchy Parisian air as he applied dabs with the brush。 Stepping back to survey his work; Brilliard became conscious that someone had entered。 Smiling; he turned about to face Tracy Lence。
  〃Bon matin; monsieur;〃 greeted Brilliard。 〃Entrez; s'il vous plait。 Fermez la porte。〃
  Lence understood the order to close the door。 He performed that action while Brilliard watched him。 The Frenchman nodded wisely as he noted Lence's anxiety。
  〃What is the matter?〃 inquired Brilliard。
  〃Plenty;〃 returned Lence。 〃Did you ever hear of Joe Cardona?〃
  〃No;〃 replied Brilliard。 〃Who is he? Some con man? Did you see him out at the Club Caprice?〃
  〃He's not a con man;〃 explained Lence。 〃He's a dick。 A smart one; from New York。 But the Club Caprice was where I saw him。〃
  〃You know him then?〃
  〃By sight。〃
  〃Does he know you?〃
  〃No。〃
  Brilliard shrugged his shoulders and turned back to work at the easel。
  Apparently; he could not see how Joe Cardona's arrival in New Orleans concerned the cause for which Cyro's aids were striving。
  Lence caught the significance of the Frenchman's shrug。 He decided to explain matters。
  〃When I was in New York; Brilliard;〃 he said; cautiously; 〃I was on my own。 Not working for Cyro。 You understand; don't you?〃
  Brilliard nodded。 It was obvious that he had learned the facts of Lence's probation。
  〃I was counting on a tip from Cyro;〃 resumed Lence。 〃But I had to live in the meantime。 So I teamed up with a smart worker named Roke Rowden。 He was the front。 I was the blind; ready to strut my stuff under a phony name…so I'd keep under cover。〃
  〃I understand。 Go on。〃
  〃Well〃…Lence hesitated…〃Rowden spotted that message that came in from Cyro。 He wanted to be in the know。 Threatened to queer the game。 So I bumped him。〃
  〃Openly?〃
  〃No。 We were alone in his apartment。 I made a perfect getaway。 Left Roke Rowden dying; with suicide appearances。 When I left New York; I ducked around a bit on my way here。〃
  〃So you told me。〃
  〃I didn't leave a clue。 I wouldn't have e here if I had。 Yet here's Joe Cardona in town。 Out at the Club Caprice; talking with a chap named Rafferty; who's a stooge for the New Orleans police。〃
  〃On your trail; eh?〃
  〃I wouldn't say that。 I think he's after somebody else。 Looking for some lammister; maybe。 There's probably a bunch of them bumming around New Orleans。
  But here's the way I figure it; Brilliard。 Cardona is smart。 He's a guy with hunches。 I don't like him being in town。〃
  〃Why not suggest that he leave?〃
  Brilliard's tone rang with sarcasm。 Tracy Lence winced。 He laughed in forced fashion。 Then he became more serious than before。
  
  〃CYRO is a big shot;〃 he declared。 〃I know he doesn't worry about wise dicks。 But Cardona is a lucky bird。 Runs into the breaks; that fellow does。〃
  〃You mean then〃…Brilliard wheeled; impressed by his panion's tone …
  〃that there is actually a chance that this detective could interfere with our plans?〃
  〃I mean it;〃 assured Lence。
  Brilliard considered。 While the Frenchman was still pondering; Lence put in new statements。
  〃I had Luke Gaudrin lined up;〃 he asserted。 〃But when I saw Cardona; I ducked。 I headed in town and checked out of my hotel。 Checked all my luggage and drove up to Gulfport。 Stayed there for the night and drove back this morning。〃
  〃And Luke Gaudrin;〃 questioned Brilliard; narrowly; 〃did he suspect anything?〃
  〃Nothing;〃 assured Lence。 〃I told him I would get in touch with him after I returned to town。 Within a few days; that is to be。〃
  Brilliard nodded。 He reached in his smock; drew out a small card; and wrote an address upon it。
  〃Move into this place;〃 he said。 〃An apartment over near the Cabildo。
  Close by Jackson Square。 I leased the apartment for a friend named Richard Guyas。 The name is already on the door。 Introduce yourself as Guyas and live there。
  〃You will then be free to move out of sight any time you choose。 For the present; keep out of sight。 Except when you e here; which you may do any time during the day or evening up to midnight。
  〃If you see this door closed; do not enter。 That will mean that I have art patrons present。 They e seldom; for I do not encourage them。 But let me add one point: after tonight; keep a sharp lookout while you are traveling through the Quarter。〃
  〃Why?〃
  〃On account of this man Cardona。〃
  〃You think he will be around here?〃
  〃If he is looking for someone and does not find that person at the Club Caprice; he will most certainly e to the French Quarter。 We can allow him one more night; then watch out。〃
  〃I get it。 He'll wait for a report from the Club Caprice。 Maybe he'll go there。 If there's nothing doing; he'll be down in this section。〃
  〃Exactly。 And that is the time when we must be ready for trouble。 But I do not suppose there will be any。〃
  Brilliard's tone showed annoyance。 Lence
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