
Beak's logic brought a shrewd smile to Quinrick's lips. The lawyer saw
double profit from this deal. Not only did it promise huge sums from grateful
relatives of the dupes; it also would mark Quinrick as a public benefactor.
Lately, Quinrick had been on the ragged edge. His use of perjured
witnesses
had placed him under threat of disbarment. More than any other man in New
York,
he was willing to participate in Beak's double-crossing scheme.
QUINRICK thrust his hand toward Beak, to signify that the deal was made.
At
that instant, a crackling sound occurred. It wasn't from the fireplace; it was
more sustained than the snap of the burning wood.
Beak sprang about in alarm. He saw the source of the noise. It came from
a
radio cabinet against the opposite wall.
"Turn that thing off," gulped Beak. "It gives me the jitters!"
Quinrick stepped across the room; he snapped a switch one direction, then
the other. He looked puzzled; gave a shrug.
"Something's wrong with the switch," he remarked. " The radio must have
started accidentally, and it won't turn off. Forget it, Beak" - Quinrick drew
close - "and tell me the name of this 'brain' you speak about."
Beak licked his thick lips. His stabbing eyes still gazing suspiciously
at
the radio. At last, gruffly:
"Maybe it isn't his right moniker," said Beak, "but he calls himself -"
Beak's whole face went rigid. From the mysterious crackle of the radio,
emerged a voice - musical, yet with the metallic twang of a stringed
instrument.
Its words came as a bitter melody.
"Hear me, Beak Hyler!" spoke that voice. "You have meddled with my plans.
You know the reward for traitors!"
"It's him!" panted Beak. "He's listened in - the 'brain' - he's wise -"
Quinrick was at the radio again, snarling something about the phony
hook-up. He yanked a cord from the wall; the action didn't stop the voice. But
its tone was a discordant jangle, more insidious than before.
"And you, James Quinrick" - the accusation riveted the lawyer - "have
willingly agreed to conspire against me. You will share the fate of Beak
Hyler!"
THE voice chopped off. A few seconds later, the crackle faded. Quinrick
had
recoiled to the fireplace, his face as blanched as Beak's. Only the ruddy glow
from the flames gave semblance of color to those frozen countenances.
Beak tried to rally. He was on his feet, looking from one curtained
doorway
to another, unable to decide which way to go. He felt the trembling grip of
Quinrick's hand upon his arm. Papers crinkled, as the lawyer said hoarsely :
"Chuck them! We can't get caught with those!"
Beak snatched the documents in terror, flung them into the fireplace.
Flames consumed the papers. The flare brought temporary courage to Beak.
He
had gotten rid of evidence, at least. Quinrick, too, was looking toward the
fireplace, hoping that something had been gained.
The dying flame wavered, then writhed, as though puffed by an intruding
breeze. The conspirators stared frantically about the room. They were too late
to see the stir of heavy draperies that hid the window.
There, in a cramped space, a black-cloaked figure had blocked the draft