The Complete Tommy and Tuppence 5-Book Collection

‘Yes, sir.’

Tommy smoothed out the note thoughtfully.

‘Yes, a damned fool,’ he said softly. ‘But so’s someone else! And at last I know who it is!’

Chapter 24 (#ulink_0e0e6140-ccc4-5493-a7db-dd6742c83d2a)

Julius Takes a Hand (#ulink_0e0e6140-ccc4-5493-a7db-dd6742c83d2a)

In his suite at Claridge’s, Kramenin reclined on a couch and dictated to his secretary in sibilant Russian.

Presently the telephone at the secretary’s elbow purred, and he took up the receiver, spoke for a minute or two, then turned to his employer.

‘Someone below is asking for you.’

‘Who is it?’

‘He gives the name of Mr Julius P. Hersheimmer.’

‘Hersheimmer,’ repeated Kramenin thoughtfully. ‘I have heard that name before.’

‘His father was one of the steel kings of America,’ explained the secretary, whose business it was to know everything. ‘This young man must be a millionaire several times over.’

The other’s eyes narrowed appreciatively.

‘You had better go down and see him, Ivan. Find out what he wants.’

The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In a few minutes he returned.

‘He declines to state his business – says it is entirely private and personal, and that he must see you.’

‘A millionaire several times over,’ murmured Kramenin. ‘Bring him up, my dear Ivan.’

The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting Julius.

‘Monsieur Kramenin?’ said the latter abruptly.

The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous eyes, bowed.

‘Pleased to meet you,’ said the American. ‘I’ve got some very important business I’d like to talk over with you, if I can see you alone.’ He looked pointedly at the other.

‘My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets.’

‘That may be so – but I have,’ said Julius dryly. ‘So I’d be obliged if you’d tell him to scoot.’

‘Ivan,’ said the Russian softly, ‘perhaps you would not mind retiring into the next room –’

‘The next room won’t do,’ interrupted Julius. ‘I know these ducal suites – and I want this one plumb empty except for you and me. Send him round to a store to buy a penn’orth of peanuts.’

Though not particularly enjoying the American’s free and easy manner of speech, Kramenin was devoured by curiosity.

‘Will your business take long to state?’

‘Might be an all night job if you caught on.’

‘Very good. Ivan, I shall not require you again this evening. Go to the theatre – take a night off.’

‘Thank you, your excellency.’

The secretary bowed and departed.

Julius stood at the door watching his retreat. Finally, with a satisfied sigh, he closed it, and came back to his position in the centre of the room.

‘Now, Mr Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to the point?’

‘I guess that won’t take a minute,’ drawled Julius. Then, with an abrupt change of manner: ‘Hands up – or I shoot!’

For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic, then, with almost comical haste, he flung up his hands above his head. In that instant Julius had taken his measure. The man he had to deal with was an abject physical coward – the rest would be easy.

‘This is an outrage,’ cried the Russian in a high hysterical voice. ‘An outrage! Do you mean to kill me?’

‘Not if you keep your voice down. Don’t go edging sideways towards that bell. That’s better.’

‘What do you want? Do nothing rashly. Remember my life is of the utmost value to my country. I may have been maligned –’

‘I reckon,’ said Julius, ‘that the man who let daylight into you would be doing humanity a good turn. But you needn’t worry any. I’m not proposing to kill you this trip – that is, if you’re reasonable.’

The Russian qualied before the stern menace in the other’s eyes. He passed his tongue over his dry lips.

‘What do you want? Money?’

‘No. I want Jane Finn.’

‘Jane Finn? I – never heard of her!’

‘You’re a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean.’

‘I tell you I’ve never heard of the girl.’

‘And I tell you,’ retorted Julius, ‘that Little Willie here is just hopping mad to go off !’

The Russian wilted visibly.

‘You wouldn’t dare –’

‘Oh, yes I would, son!’

Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried conviction, for he said sullenly: