Page:The Whisper on the Stair by Lyon Mearson (1924).djvu/261

 days you’re really going to get hurt—I’ll begin to play with you for keeps; you won’t have a marble left by the time I get done with you, if I ever start that.”

Val laughed. “You know, Iggy,” he said, “you’re the most refreshing blackguard it has ever been my good fortune to meet. Really, outside of musical comedy, I never would have believed you existed.”

Teck bowed as though pleased. “You honor me, my friend. We strive to please. But this is not musical comedy—the villain wins, Morley.” His face hardened, and the fun went out of it. He was business again—a scoundrel engaged in his profession. The scar that slashed across his countenance throbbed and grew livid.

“All I have to do,” he said, “is to call the office on the phone and explain to them that I found you two in my room, rifling my suitcases⸺”

Val laughed loudly. “Swell chance!” he exclaimed. “I have a life-sized picture of you explaining that to the hotel detective—giving him the books as Exhibit A, say!” He paused and looked at the books with meaning.

“Honest, Teck,” he said, “do you expect me to swallow that?”

Teck was angry. “Then how about shooting you and your—er—your friend down, caught in the act of burglarizing my room?” he asked grimly. “They don’t have to see the books⸺”

“I don’t think you will, Iggy,” remarked Val lightly. “You see, you’re in no position to bear investigation just at present. In fact, I think we’ll go, Eddie,” he said to the man seated beside him. “This man can’t stop us.”