Undoubtedly this animal was a shipboard
acquaintance, one who knew him well; but those detestable German gutturals
disguised his accents quite beyond identification.
"For all that, you are not wise so to try my patience. I permit you five
minutes by my watch in which to make up your mind to surrender that
document."
"How often must I tell you," Lanyard enquired, "all this talk of documents
is Greek to me?"
"Then you have five minutes to brush up your classical education, and
translate into terms suited to your intelligence. I will have that document
from you or--in four more minutes--shoot you dead."
To this Lanyard said nothing. But his patient attentions to the
handkerchief round his wrists were beginning perceptibly to be rewarded.
"Moreover, Herr Lanyard, you will do yourself a very good turn by
confessing--entirely aside from saving your life."
"How is that?"
"Providing you persuade me of your good faith, I am empowered to offer you
employment in our service."
Lanyard's breath passed hardly through a throat swollen with rage, chagrin,
and hatred, all hopelessly impotent.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138