Spoils of the Shadow by Maxwell Grant & Walter Gibson

Author:Maxwell Grant & Walter Gibson [Grant, Maxwell & Gibson, Walter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Espionage, Fiction, Thrillers
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1934-09-17T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XI. THE FIFTH CRIME

"TAP–tap–tap–tap -"

"That's Tyrell," asserted Pug Halfin. The gangleader was in his room at the old Morocco Hotel. With him was Slug Bracken. Pug stepped to the door and opened it.

Mark Tyrell entered. He was wearing his inconspicuous overcoat and his derby hat. To-night, however, his scarf was not in evidence. There was no need for it. Tyrell was wearing an ordinary business suit beneath his overcoat.

With the door closed behind him, Tyrell seated himself and smiled shrewdly as he studied his two companions. In Pug Halfin and Slug Bracken, he viewed a pair of ruffians as tough as any in the underworld.

"We're on the home-stretch," announced Tyrell. "One more job and we will be done. I think to-night will be the finish."

"The crown?" questioned Slug.

Tyrell nodded.

"Then you'll be ready to fence the swag," asserted Pug. "That ain't goin' to be no easy job -"

"There will be no difficulty," interposed Tyrell. "The shipment of the stolen treasures will be a simple matter. First of all, the stuff is well under cover. We three alone have visited the hiding place."

"Foon Koo has been there," reminded Pug.

"Of course," declared Tyrell. "He is there now. It is his duty to guard the treasure. Foon Koo might be regarded as part of the hiding place. However, the disposal of the treasures will come later. To-night, our task is to obtain the diamond tiara owned by Powers Jordan."

"How're you goin' to grab it?" questioned Pug.

"By force," returned Tyrell. "To-night's theft will mean murder."

The insidious suggestion did not faze either of the ruffians who listened to Tyrell's discourse. On the contrary, both mobleaders appeared pleased by the statement that bloodshed would be required.

"You both did good jobs last week," complimented Tyrell. "You worked well at Gault's, Pug. You teamed perfectly with Foon Koo. As for the job at Bexler's -"

"It was a cinch," interrupted Slug Bracken, with a grin.

"It was properly handled," returned Tyrell. "That is why I know that I can depend upon both of you–and the entire crew–for this coming job at Jordan's."

"Let's hear the lay, Tyrell," suggested Pug.

"VERY well," said the suave society man. "First of all, we are dealing with a man who is quite different from any of the other collectors whom we have robbed. Powers Jordan owns a diamond tiara worth a quarter of a million dollars, at least. Yet he has stated–to the police as well as to his friends–that the tiara is no longer in his possession."

"He's stallin'?" questioned Pug.

"He is," returned Tyrell.

"Foxy bird," put in Slug.

"During the past week," resumed Tyrell, "I have been making the most of a friendship with Powers Jordan. He is a member of my club. Occasionally, he becomes loquacious. He admitted to me privately, some time ago, that he still has the tiara."

"Where?" questioned Slug. "Has he got it in a safe?"

"No," replied Tyrell, with a shrewd smile, "he has it hidden somewhere in his apartment."

"Do you know the place?"

"I expect to find it to-night."

"How?"

"From Jordan. I saw him night before last.

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