The Drums of Jeopardy - Page 181/202

"Do you know where she is?"

Cutty spoke without much outward emotion.

"Not the least idea. Whenever Karlov wanted to quiz me, he appeared late

at night from some other part of the town. But he never got much."

"You saw him this evening?"

"Yes. It probably struck him as a fine joke to send me."

"And if you don't go back?"

"The girl will be taken away. I'm honestly afraid of the man. He's too

quiet spoken. That kind of a man always goes the limit."

"I see. Wait here."

At Cutty's approach Hawksley looked up apathetically.

"Want me?"

"Perhaps."

"You are pale. Anything serious?"

"Yes. Karlov has got Kitty."

For a minute Hawksley did not stir. Then he got up, put away the Amati,

and came back. He was pale, too.

"I understand," he said. "They will exchange her for me. Am I right?"

"Yes. But you are not obliged to do anything like that, you know."

"I am ready."

"You give yourself up?"

"Why not?"

"You're a man!" Cutty burst out.

"I was brought up by one. Honestly, now, could I ever look a white man

in the face again if I didn't give myself up? I did begin to believe

that I might get through. But Fate was only playing with me. May I use

your desk to write a line?"

"Come with me," said Cutty, unsteadily. This was not the result

of environment. Quiet courage of this order was race. No questions

demanding if there wasn't some way round the inevitable. Cutty's heart

glowed; the boy had walked into it, never to leave it. "I'm ready." It

took a man to say that when the sequence was death.

"Coles," said Cutty upon reentering the study, "tell Karlov that His

Highness will give himself up. He will be there before midnight."

"That's enough for me. But if there's the least sign that you're not

playing straight it will be all off. Two men will be watching the taxi

and the entrance. If you appear, it's good-night. They told me to warn

you."

"I promise not to appear."

Coles smiled enigmatically and reached for his hat. He held his hand out

to Hawksley. "You're a white man, sir."

"Thanks," said Hawksley, absently. To have it all over with!

As soon as the captive Federal agent withdrew Hawksley sat down at the

desk and wrote.