"We shake, of course," said Greenfield, holding out his hand.
"Why not? Sit down."
The fugitive slid into a chair and hung his arms over the back, asking
immediately:
"What took you so long? You're after me, of course?"
"Am I?" Frawley answered, looking at him steadily. Greenfield, with a
twitch of his shoulders, returned to his question:
"What took you so long? Didn't you guess I'd come direct?"
"I'm not guessing," said Frawley.
"What do you say to dining on me?" said Greenfield with a malicious
smile. "I owe you that. I clipped your vacation pretty short.
Besides--guess you know it yourself--you can't touch me here. Why not
talk things over frankly? Say, Bub, shall it be on me?"
"I'm willing."
A waiter sidled up and took the order that Greenfield gave without
hesitation.
"You see, even the dinner was ready for you," he said with a wink; "see
how you like it." With a gesture of impatience he pushed aside the menu,
squared his arms on the table, and looked suddenly at his pursuer with
the deviltry of a schoolboy glistening in his eyes. "Well, Bub, I went
into your all-fired Canady!"
"So you did--why?"
"Well," said Greenfield, drawing lines with his knife-point on the nap,
"one reason was I wanted to see if Her Majesty's shop has such an
all-fired long arm--"
"And the other reason was I warned you to keep over the line."
"Why, Bub, you _are_ a bright boy!"
"It ain't me, Bucky," Frawley answered, with a shake of his head; "it's
the all-fired government that's after you."
"Good--first rate--then we'll have a little excitement!"
"You'll have plenty of that, Bucky!"
"Maybe, Bub, maybe. Well, I made a neat job of it, didn't I?"
"You did," admitted Frawley with an appreciative nod. "But you were
wrong--you were wrong--you should have kept off. The Canadian Government
ain't like your bloomin' democracy. It don't forgive--it don't forget.
Tack that up, Bucky. It's a principle we've got at stake with you!"
"Don't I know it?" cried Greenfield, striking the table. "What else do
you think I did it for?"
Frawley gazed at him, then said slowly: "I told them it was a personal
matter."
"Sure it was! Do you think I could keep out after you served notice on
me? D---- your English pride and your English justice! I'm a good enough
Yank to see if your dinky police is such an all-fired cute little bunch
of wonder-workers as you say! Bub--you think you're going to get Mr.
Greenfield--don't you?"
"I'm not thinking, Bucky--"
"Eh?"
"I'm simply sticking to you."
"Sticking to me!" cried Greenfield with a roar of disgust. "Why, you
unimaginative, lumbering, beef-eating Canuck, you can't get me that way!
Why in tarnation didn't you strike plump for here--instead of rubbin'
yourself down the whole coast of South Ameriky?"
"Bucky, you don't understand the situation properly," objected Frawley,
without varying the level tone of his voice. "Supposing it had been a
bloomin' corporation had sent me--? that's what I'd have done. But it's
the government this time--Her Majesty's government! Time ain't no
consideration. I'd have raked down the whole continent if I'd had
to--though I knew where you were."
"Well, and now what? You can't touch me, Bub," he added earnestly. "I
like straight talk, man to man. Now, what's your game?"
"Business."
"All right then," said Greenfield, with a frown, "but you can't touch
me--now. There's an extradition treaty coming, but then there'd have to
be a retroactive clause to do you any good." He paused, studying the
expression on the Inspector's face. "There's enough of the likes of me
here to see that don't occur. Say, Bub?"
"Well?"
"You deal a square pack, don't you?"
"That's my reputation, Bucky."
"Give me your word you'll play me square."
Inspector Frawley, leaning forward, helped himself busily. Greenfield,
with pursed lips, studied every movement.
"No kidnapping tricks?"
Without lifting his eyes Frawley sharpened his knife vigorously against
his fork and fell to eating.
"Well, Bub?"
"What?"
"No fancy kidnapping?"
"I'm promising nothing, Bucky."
There was a blank moment while Greenfield considered. Suddenly he shot
out his hand, saying with a nod: "You're a white man, Bub, and I never
heard a word against that." He filled a glass and shoved it toward
Frawley. "We might as well clink on it. For I rather opinionate before
we get through this little business--there'll be something worth talking
about."
"Here's to you then, Bucky," said Frawley, nodding.
"Remember what I tell you," said Greenfield, looking over his glass,
"there's going to be something to live for."
"I say, Bucky," said Frawley with a lazy interest, "would they serve you
five-o'clock tea here, I wonder?"
Greenfield, drawing back, laughed a superior laugh.
"Bub, I'm sorry for you--'pon my word I am."
"How so, Bucky?"
"Why, you plodding little English lamb, you don't have the slightest
suspicion what you're gettin' into!"
"What am I getting into, Bucky?"
Greenfield threw back his head with a chuckle.
"If you get me, it'll be the last job you ever pull off."
"Maybe, maybe."
"Since things are aboveboard--listen here," said Greenfield with sudden
seriousness. "Bub, you'll not get me alive. Nothing personal, you
understand, but it'll have to be your life or mine. If it comes to the
pinch, look out for yourself--"
"Oh, yes," said Frawley, with a matter-of-fact nod, "I understand."
"I ain't tried to bribe you," said Greenfield, rising. "Thank me for
that--though another man might have been sent up for life."
"Thanks," Frawley said with a drawl. "And you'll notice I haven't
advised you to come back and face the music. Seems to me we understand
each other."
"Here's my address," said Greenfield, handing him a card; "may save you
some trouble. I'm here every night." He held out his hand. "Turn up and
meet the profesh. They're a clever lot here. They'd appreciate meeting
you, too."
"Perhaps I will."
"Ta-ta, then."
Greenfield took a few steps, halted, and lounged back with a smile full
of mischief.
"By the way, Bub--how long has Her Majesty's dinkies given you?"
"It's a life appointment, Bucky."
"Really--bless me--then your bloomin' government has some sense after
all."
The two men saluted gravely, with a parting exchange.
"Now, Bub--keep fit."
"Same to you, Bucky."