Page:The Whisper on the Stair by Lyon Mearson (1924).djvu/158

 “Seems to be O. K.,” admitted Val, “always supposing, of course, that your suppositions come through as scheduled. Now suppose, for instance, that I not only refuse to promise what you wish me to promise, but I also escape. Suppose⸺”

“Nonsense,” Teck shook his head. “You cannot escape. O’Hara is in the next room, and the house is surrounded by—by my friends. You are bound. The slightest noise means that you will be gagged—if necessary, knocked on the head. It hurts me to have to tell you these things, my friend, because I am naturally of a kindly disposition, and I wouldn’t wish to cause pain to the slightest of His creatures, but—of course,” he said with a sigh, “if you make it necessary, why, one must do one’s duty, distasteful as it is.”

“Sounds all right,” said Val. “But this is a civilized city—New York, you know; one doesn’t commit a murder and get away with it like that. My—er—body, for instance⸺”

“Oh, don’t give yourself the slightest concern about that,” Teck waved the suggestion aside airily. “Don’t worry about it, I beg of you. As for the proper disposition of—er—remains, why, we have our own system, and a very efficient one it is, too, let me tell you. No, you needn’t worry about that.”

“That’s all right, then,” said Val. “Relieves my mind a great deal, you know. One naturally would be concerned about these things, that is, even if one is convinced that you’re a damned bluffer, to say nothing of being a liar who would never have the nerve to carry out the plan you have indicated.”

The other looked at him, pained. “My dear boy, I’m sorry you feel it necessary to use such strong language