The Pagan Madonna - Page 59/141

"I can only repeat," said Cleigh, "that you are all playing with

dynamite."

"Perhaps. Most of these boys fought in the war; they played the game; but

when they returned nobody had any use for them. I caught them on the

rebound, when they were a bit desperate. We formed a company--but of that

more anon. Will you be my guest, or will you be my prisoner?"

The velvet fell away from Cunningham's voice.

"Have I any choice? I'll accept the condition because I must. But I've

warned you. I suppose I'd better ask at once what the ransom is."

"Ransom? Not a copper cent! You can make Singapore in two days from the

Catwick."

"And for helping me into Singapore I'm to agree not to hand such men as

you leave me over to the British authorities?"

"All wrong! The men who will help you into Singapore or take you to Manila

will be as innocent as newborn babes. Wouldn't believe it, would you, but

I'm one of those efficiency sharks. Nothing left to chance; all cut and

dried; pluperfect. Cleigh, I never break my word. I honestly intended

turning over those beads to you, but Morrissy muddled the play."

"Next door to murder."

"Near enough, but he'll pull out."

"Are you going to take Miss Norman along?"

"What, set her ashore to sic the British Navy on us? I'm sorry. I don't

want her on board; but that was your play, not mine. You tried to

double-cross me. But you need have no alarm. I will kill the man who

touches her. You understand that, boys?"

The crew signified that the order was understood, though one of them--the

returned Flint--smiled cynically. If Cunningham noted the smile he made no

verbal comment upon it.

"Weigh anchor, then! Look alive! The sooner we nose down to the delta the

sooner we'll have the proper sea room."

The crew scurried off, and almost at once came familiar sounds--the rattle

of the anchor chain on the windlass, the creaking of pulley blocks as the

launch came aboard, the thud of feet hither and yon as portables were

stowed or lashed to the deck-house rail. For several minutes Cleigh and

Cunningham remained speechless and motionless.

"You get all the angles?" asked Cunningham, finally.

"Some of them," admitted Cleigh.

"At any rate, enough to make you accept a bad situation with good grace?"

"You're a foolhardy man, Cunningham. Do you expect me to lie down when

this play is over? I solemnly swear to you that I'll spend the rest of my

days hunting you down."