Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 139 by Maxwel l Grant

Author:Maxwel,l Grant
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

CHAPTER XII

LARRY FINDS TROUBLE

THEDA thought that her game was working with Larry. During the ten minutes

spent in that upstairs dining room, she had begun to discuss the past. Not with

open threat; but with subtle, friendly pretense, of which Theda was quite capable.

She had chosen the best light in the room; her reddened lips showed to perfection. So did the sparkle of her gray eyes. Theda's drawl was indolent; her pose dreamy. All that she needed was the soft music of an orchestra to complete her act.

"So it's all ended, Larry," toned Theda. "I haven't forgotten five years ago, though." Her hand crept across the table toward Larry's; her voice finished with a sigh: "I couldn't forget. Ever!"

Larry was noncommittal. Theda was confident that the build-up had worked.

"There was a lot we talked about in those days." Theda's lips showed a regretful smile. "What we were going to do, when you were in the money -"

"I was in the money," reminded Larry, the instant that Theda paused. "You saw that you grabbed your share of it. I was only able to repay Mr. Whilton half of the fifty thousand that I took."

Theda looked incredulous for the moment; then, her smooth pretense returned. Her hand reached Larry's; it rested there.

"Clever boy, Larry," complimented Theda. "You covered it by making Whilton

think that you had reclaimed half the stolen cash. You passed over twenty-five grand; so he left you twice that, in his will -"

"You've got it wrong, Theda -"

"Wait, Larry. Twenty-five and fifty - that's seventy-five. I've taken twenty-five, so you take the same. That leaves us another twenty-five, to split."

Larry was on his feet, starting toward the door. He turned to drive home his final words.

"I paid my debt to Whilton," declared Larry. "The money he left me has no strings to it. Your game won't work, Theda!"

"Fifty-fifty was our bargain -"

"And we finished it! If you think you can shake me down for twelve and a half thousand dollars, you're on the wrong track!"

Theda's pretense ended. She was tigerish, as she sprang toward the door.

Her long-nailed finger tips dug deep into Larry's arm. Her hiss was a vicious threat.

"Listen, sap," she snarled. "You can't shove me around, on that Whilton dame's account! Not without paying for it! I'll get more than twelve five, before I've finished. I'll snag half of that fifty grand that's come your way

-

maybe all of it!"

Larry thrust Theda to one side. He yanked the door open, without observing

the blonde's hard smile. There was a surprise waiting for Larry, thought

Theda.

She had posted the thugs to make sure he, Larry, didn't walk out before she was

through with him.

The surprise that came was one for Theda, too.

THERE were footsteps on the stairs. Some one had heard the door yank open.

A cop's voice bellowed:

"Who's up there?"

Theda's claws reached Larry's shoulder.

"You snitcher!" she hissed. "So you squawked to the bulls! Told them to come here to pinch me! Just a smart guy -"

Larry clapped his hand to Theda's contorted mouth.

"Show some sense," he whispered.

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