you would prefer me to get the razor——” He broke off, inquiringly.
“Next time,” decided Rollison.
There won’t be any next time,” breathed Merino, and all his swaggering bravado had gone. “I’ll have the pair of you fixed, I’ll—”
“Now don’t make me change my mind,” advised Rollison. “Jolly’s a very good barber.”
“You’ve had your chance, you’ll regret you’ve done this to me !”
“Oh, vanity, where is your common sense?” sighed Rollison. “There’s always an advantage in playing against a man as swollen in conceit as you are, Merino. Get out.”
Merino moistened his lips, then turned his back and went into the hall. Jolly went across the room, passed the man and opened the front door. Merino did not look at him, but as he stepped over the threshold, Rollison called:
“Merino.”
The big man stopped and looked round.
“Don’t try any more rough stuff on the Aliens. And see that Mrs. Allen returns to her flat to-day. Otherwise
Merino shot him a furious look, and went out of the flat Jolly quietly closed the door.
Rollison looked out of the window and saw Merino get into the cream Chrysler. He was alone, and no one else was in sight. The Chrysler its engine making hardly any noise, disappeared round the corner.
“I did wonder whether we should follow him,” Jolly remarked.
“Let him sweat,” said Rollison. “Nicely done, Jolly. But now, confess and admit that you got quite a kick out of it—much more than if he’d been photographed at Scotland Yard.”
“I did feel a slight exhilaration, sir,” conceded Jolly. “I was particularly glad that we thought of taking his photograph. Also he showed that he was opposed to having it taken, which suggests that he is now somewhat worried about the possible consequences. The quicker we get some prints of that picture the better, sir.”
“While we’re about it, we’ll get a picture of Pauline Dexter. That’ll do Snub good, if nothing else.”
“Talking of M. Higginbottom, sir, he has returned,” said Jolly. “I tried to convey that information to you. I am glad to say he came up the fire-escape. He said that he imagined it would be better to keep out of sight if anything were—er— on the go, as he put it. He is having a snack in the kitchen. I persuaded him not to show himself to our visitor.”
“Happy thought,” said Rollison, and glanced at his watch. “By jingo, it’s five to five!
As he finished calling, the kitchen door opened and Higginbottom appeared, hastily swallowing a mouthful of “snack”.
He was a young man of medium height, well-built and lean, dressed in neatly pressed flannels and a brown sports-coat. His curly, light brown hair was untidy and his face split in a broad smile. His button of a nose could hardly have been snubbier, and his merry blue eyes surveyed Rollison as he said:
“How I kept out of sight I just don’t know.”
“It’s much better that you aren’t known to these people yet. Learn the story off by heart, with all the characters concerned, and then go out and hire yourself an opulent car. Try
“So I’m for the road,” said Snub.
“You may be. Take it to Lilley Mews, near New Bond Street, and put it into the lock-up garage number 5.” Rollison tossed him a key. “Clean the window which looks out on to 7, Lilley Mews, where Merino and his lady- friend live. Have some trouble with the car and behave like an amateur mechanic— and make a careful note of all the visitors to number 7. It’s a two-in-one flat so we’re interested in everyone who goes in or out. Take the Leica, photographs might be useful. All clear?”
“Aye, aye, sir!” Snub grinned, and then looked troubled. “The Aliens?”
“I think they’ll pull through,” said Rollison. “I must fly.” He hurried into the hall and, taking his hat off a peg, said over his shoulder: “I hope you had a good holiday?”
“All the sweeter for being the shorter,” said Snub. “You forgot to tell me whether to carry a gun.”
“You can wield a useful spanner if it comes to the point. If Mr. Wardle rings, Jolly, tell him I’ll be along in ten minutes.”
“Very good, sir.”
And Rollison went out, jamming on his hat and hurrying to the top of the stairs.
He tripped on a piece of string, fastened across them. He grabbed at the bannisters, saved himself from falling—and saw a small packet lying two or three stairs down. In a vivid moment he realized the possible danger—and he leapt over the packet, stumbled, reached the lower landing—and then a vivid flash and the roar of an explosion almost blinded and deafened him, and the blast pitched him forward on to his face.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THROUGH the pall of smoke which floated about the staircase and the landing, Rollison saw first Jolly, then Snub. He waved to reassure them. His head was ringing; and a splinter of wood from the banisters had made a nasty gash in his hand, which was bleeding freely. That was not the worst. Doors opened downstairs, and the occupants of the other flats hurried towards the scene, a woman calling out in alarm.
Rollison made himself stand quite still, and called:
