Reilly's Luck by Louis L'amour

Author:Louis L'amour
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-07-19T16:44:40+00:00

The man who answered the door was short and stocky, with graying hair and beard. He had sharp blue eyes, that went from Val's face to the case. "Well," he said, "you'd better come in." He added, "I never expected to see that again."

"I was in the hotel the other night and saw your name on the register, so when we found this ... well, I imagine they are favorite weapons of yours, and that can be important to a man."

"They are important," Bricker said. "They were the last gifts to me from my father. What do I owe you?"

"Nothing, sir. I am merely returning your property."

Bricker looked at him shrewdly. "If you'll permit me to say so, you look as if you could use the money."

"I could," Val admitted frankly, "but I'll not take money for returning your property."

"How did you come by it? I thought the 'Gypsy Belle' was a total loss."

Val explained. He told about how he had learned about the flour, and what they had done so far. Captain Peterson, he added, had even now gone to the insurers to make a deal for recovery of the flour.

Bricker listened, lighting a fresh cigar. "Had you ever thought they might just take over and continue the salvage themselves, allowing you nothing?"

"We did think of that. I hope they will be decent about it, sir."

Bricker got up and took his coat from the wardrobe. "Let's just walk over and see how Captain Peterson is doing. He might be able to use some help."

Captain Peterson, cap in hand, was just being shown through the gate at the office of the insurers. His face was red with anger. "Boy, they've threatened us with arrest. They've said—"

Steven Bricker stepped past him and opened the door of the inner office. "Danforth, I think we had better discuss this matter of salvage," he said. "Come in, Darrant. You, too, Peterson."

"Now, see here! What's your part in this, Bricker?"

"These gentlemen are friends of mine, Danforth. And, I might add, they will be represented by my attorneys."

Danforth sat down and took up a cigar. "You can't mean that, Bricker. I've known of Peterson for years. He's nothing but a waterfront bum, scavenging along the river for whatever he can pick up."

"And now he has picked up a beauty," Bricker replied, "and you're going to pay him for it. I happen to know that after the initial survey you abandoned that wreck. As it happens, if you remember, I was a passenger on the 'Gypsy Belle.' I had personal effects of considerable value aboard.

"You can buy out the interests of Peterson and Darrant," he went on, "or they will proceed to salvage it themselves. I happen to know that you have offered to settle with some of the shippers at a very modest price."

"That is none of your business, Bricker."

"I shall make it my business." Bricker got up. "You have been notified. I shall instruct my attorneys to proceed at once."

When they were outside, Bricker turned to the others.

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