_Lorina's House
Saturday, July 11th, 3 A.M._
It is unfortunate that this should be the first night of our
association that we are out of touch with each other. I sent home an
hour ago to see if there was any word from you. I got your letter, but
that only gives me the address of the wig-maker's shop which is, of
course, closed until morning. I have to remain on watch here, and I
cannot make the hours pass better than by writing you an account of all
that has happened. It will save time when we meet.
I have done the best I could. I followed your instructions to the
letter. I do not see how I could have acted differently. I hope you
will not blame me.
As soon as I was through work at Dunsany's this afternoon, I went down
to No. -- Fifth avenue as usual, to continue my inventory of the gang's
diamonds. Freer is always there when I am, of course. He's not a bad
sort of fellow. There's something sorrowful about him. I think he
would prefer on the whole to lead an honest life. He speaks of having
an expensive family to keep.
As soon as Lorina's stenographer and office boy went home, she came
into our room as she usually does. This evening she was in a state of
excitement. She had evidently been holding herself in some time. The
air was lurid with the fire and brimstone she used in apostrophising
you. If hate could be sent by wireless you'd be dead this minute, my
friend.
I gathered she had learned during the day that you were at the
Rotterdam. But when she went around there with her silencer, you
turned the tables on her somehow and not only got away again, but left
her in a very humiliating position. Bully for you!
"He's slipped through my fingers for the moment!" she went on, "but
I've got a line on his girl again. I'll fix her to-night."
My heart went down at this piece of news.
"She's at a sanatorium at Amityville," Lorina went on. "I got a
servant into the house, and I know her habits. I won't take any
chances this time. This is a job for you, English."
Fancy my feelings! I had no time to think. Yet I had to say
something, and quickly, too. I said the natural thing.
"I won't do it!" I cried. "I am working for you night and day as it
is, good work, too! I didn't engage for murder--a woman too. I won't
do it! I'm done with you all!"
And I flung down my tools.
Lorina took this outburst calmly. She is accustomed to it no doubt.
She merely looked at Freer, and he got between me and the door.
"Don't be simple-minded, English," she said contemptuously. "This is
no child's game, that you can refuse to play if you don't like the
rules. You're in it for bad or for worse like the rest of us. And I
have the means of enforcing my orders!"
"Not that!" I begged.
"It was agreed long ago that this woman and this man have got to be put
out of the way. You're the only one of the crowd that hasn't been
tested out, and the other boys are complaining. Here's your chance to
make good. You understand there's no alternative. You're a valuable
man to us, but----!"
I can give you no idea of the effect with which she said this. She is
a terrible woman. Her eyes were like points of ice. Meanwhile I was
thinking hard. If I did not go, she would undoubtedly find some one
else. I might be prevented from warning you. I could not warn Sadie
direct, because you had never given me her address. In the end I
agreed.
Lorina smiled on me.
"What are my instructions?" I asked.
"The girl is at Dr. ----'s sanatorium," said Lorina. "You should not
get out there before dark, so the seven-thirty train will be the best.
There is a train back from Amityville a little after ten which will
land you in town before midnight."
She then told me how to reach the sanatorium, and described the layout
of the grounds.
"My report says that the Farrell girl keeps close to the house during
the day," she went on, "and walks out at night. Her favourite spot is
a pool at the bottom of the lawn, which is surrounded by juniper trees.
There is a bench at the southerly side of the pool that she always
visits. It is near the public road, and will be no trouble for you to
reach. The thick growth of young trees makes plenty of cover."
"What am I to do when she comes?" I asked.
Lorina turned her back on me a moment. When she faced around she
handed me an automatic pistol with a curious cylinder affixed to the
end of the barrel.
"Use this," she said. "It makes no sound."