somebody from outside had killed Dalavan and Golga.'
'They fell for it?' queried Ruff.
'Absolutely,' replied Elger. 'And it was all for the benefit of one person present: Jalway.'
Ruff nodded. Elger puffed at his big pipe.
'Golga was capable,' mused Elger, reflectively. 'He planted it cold upon Jalway. That one man is the troublemaker in my house. He's playing a lone hand.
'Unquestionably he planned to go out last night. But he knew Golga was in the living room. When he heard Dalavan come through the hall, he decided it might be Golga, going to the den. So he went there.'
'And encountered Dalavan?'
'Yes. Killed him in a fight. Golga pitched in and Jalway finished him, too. Then he ran for it. Got to the window in the living room.'
'Then turned yellow?'
'Hardly yellow, Ruff. He decided it would be better to stage a bluff. He came back. He looked as surprised as the others. He tried a bluff of his own; so I countered with mine. I went to the living room and found the window unbarred. I decided - for Jalway's benefit - that an outsider had done the dirty work.'
Another pause. Then Elger chuckled. 'Dalavan had a box with him,' declared the master crook. 'I can guess what was in it. That Lamballe tiara and maybe Tolwig's dough. Dalavan talked a little to Tully and Chunk. They told me so when I got them alone last night.'
'Did he tell them much?'
'Unfortunately, no. He assured them that all was well; and he mentioned that he had valuables with him.'
'If Jalway's got the box now, why don't you make a search for it?'
'He may have chucked it somewhere outside the house, or he may have planted it inside, in some place that would make it impossible to pin the goods on him. No, Ruff, I have a better way to deal with Mr. Bram Jalway.
'I'm giving him rope' - Elger paused for a few furious puffs of pipe smoke - 'and it will be enough to hang him. I suggested that my guests look about tonight. Leave the house, if they wished to do so. But I added that they should be careful.'
'I get it. Then if Jalway goes out, we can grab the others -'
'No, no, Ruff.' Elger was impatient in his interruption. 'Those others are our alibi. Don't you get it? If they looked upon Jalway as their protector, the game would be difficult. But Jalway, thinking himself a fox, is playing a lone hand. That gives me the chance to step in as the real protector.
'I've given guns to all of them. I have warned them to be careful. If anyone goes out, it will be his own funeral if he gets hurt. And I believe' - Elger's tone was crafty - 'that Mr. Jalway is going to walk into trouble.'
'You mean we're to watch him?'
'Exactly. You and the men that you still have. Cover the house, Ruff. Capture Jalway if he appears. Bring him here, through the entrance from the marsh.'
'What if he puts up a fight?'
'Don't kill him - unless you have to do so. We'll make him talk. We're going to find out what he did with the swag.'
'What about the others, chief?'
'Later we shall form a searching party. Tomorrow - after the shipment has come ashore from the Dalmatia. We shall look for Jalway's body. We shall find it. Riddled with bullets, somewhere in a swamp. You and your crew will be gone.'
'In the boat?'
'A few of you. Others, including those from the Dalmatia, may be in hiding in these caverns. I shall decide about that later.'
'But when the others find Jalway, then -'
'They will be reminded of my admonition that all should be careful. They will stand by me when I testify to the law that Jalway disobeyed my orders. That sailor, Hoskins; Dalavan; Golga; and finally Jalway - all will be classed as victims of outlaws who have terrorized Timour Isle.'
RUFF TURNEY nodded. He could see the merits of this scheme. Purvis Elger had run into difficulties of late; but the master schemer was figuring the best way out. The elimination of Bram Jalway was an absolute necessity to the culmination of his schemes.
'Personally, remarked Elger, in a cold tone, 'I should like to eliminate all these castaways. But the fact that those aboard the Maldah may begin a search is something that I cannot ignore.
'There is no telling how much Jalway may have learned. He is a menace. We must finish him and we must regain the articles that he stole. That is the course we shall take; and through it I shall strengthen - not weaken - my position with the other unwanted guests.'
With an imperious gesture, Elger pointed to the opposite exit. Ruff nodded as he arose. It was time for him to start out and assemble the band for the capture of Bram Jalway.
'I shall see you later, Ruff,' reminded Elger, as he arose and stalked toward his own passage. 'I feel positive that Jalway will go out tonight. I shall allow half an hour for his capture. So I shall come here at the end of that period, starting my time with Jalway's departure from the house.'
The two crooks took their opposite courses. When Elger reached his study, he filled his meerschaum from a tobacco jar and donned a smoking jacket. Puffing his pipe in leisurely fashion, he strolled out to the living room.
All of the guests were present. Francine Feldworth was curled in a large chair, reading a book. Seth Hadlow was seated in a corner, quietly smoking a cigarette. Professor Marcolm was busy with his manuscripts; but the gray haired guest looked weary and irritable.
Bram Jalway was strolling about the room. He showed signs of curbed restlessness. Elger gave him a cheery greeting, then sat down to talk to Hadlow. The conversation, though quietly conducted, became disturbing to Professor Marcolm. The white-haired man looked about.
'We are bothering you, professor?' inquired Elger. 'If you wish, you may use my den for your work. It is quiet and secluded there.'
'I shall go to my own room,' returned the professor, politely. 'A little more work, then to bed. I am quite nervous, Mr. Elger. Quite nervous.'
HE began to gather up the manuscript pages. Jalway stopped his pacing and turned to Elger.
'I'm going out a while,' announced the promoter.
'To the beach?' inquired Elger.
'Yes,' said Jalway. 'I want to look about. To see what it is like at night. There is mystery on this isle.'
'Too much mystery,' inserted Hadlow.
'I should not advise you to go out alone,' reminded Elger, concentrating on Jalway. 'If you wish, I can send Royne with you.'
'He may be needed here,' returned Jalway. 'I shall not go far from the house. I am armed' - he produced the revolver that he had received from Royne - 'and I can take care of myself.'
Abruptly, Jalway turned on his heel and strolled to the front door. Chunk, on guard there, drew back the bolts and allowed Jalway's passage. Elger resumed conversation with Hadlow.
Professor Marcolm finished gathering his papers and left for his room. Fifteen minutes later, Francine yawned and announced that she intended to retire. The girl departed. Another quarter of an hour elapsed. Conversation lulled between Hadlow and Elger. The latter arose.
'I must bid you good night,' he said to Hadlow. 'Since Professor Marcolm is not using my den, I can engage in some important research there.'
'And I'll read a while and then turn in,' stated Hadlow, with a quiet smile. 'Good night, Elger.'
Leaving the living room, Purvis Elger headed directly for the den. Arriving in that room, he locked the door behind him. The fiendish leer that appeared upon his pudgy face was one of anticipation.
For Purvis Elger was confident that his plan had gained success. He was sure that on his coming visit to the rendezvous, he would find Bram Jalway a captive in the hands of Ruff Turney.
CHAPTER XIV. THE PRISONER TALKS
