drownded," Johnny came in holding his head high. Annette had her arm round his waist. He had a black eye and one of the sleeves of his shirt hung in shreds. "Gee it was like in the movies," said Annette, giggling hysterically. "Wasnt he grand, mommer, wasn't he grand?"
"Jez it's lucky they didn't start shootin; one of em had a gun."
"Scared to I guess."
"Trucks are off."
"Just one case got busted up. . . . God there was five of them."
"Gee didnt he mix it up with em?" screamed Annette.
"Oh shut up," growled Cardinale. He had dropped into a chair and his wife was sponging off his face. "Did you get a good look at the boat?" asked Congo.
"Too goddam dark," said Johnny. "Fellers talked like they came from Joisey. . . . First ting I knowed one of em comes up to me and sez I'm a revenue officer an I pokes him one before he has time to pull a gun an overboard he goes. Jez they were yeller. That guy George on the boat near brained one of em wid an oar. Then they got back in their old teakettle an beat it."
"But how they know how we make landin?" stuttered Congo his face purple.
"Some guy blabbed maybe," said Cardinale. "If I find out who it is, by God I'll . . ." he made a popping noise with his lips.
"You see Meester 'Erf," said Congo in his suave voice again, "it was all champagne for the holidays. . . . Very valuable cargo eh?" Annette, her cheeks very red sat still looking at Johnny with parted lips and toobright eyes. Herf found himself blushing as he looked at her.
He got to his feet. "Well I must be getting back to the big city. Thank's for the feed and the melodrama, Congo."
"You find station all right?"
"Sure."
"Goodnight Meester 'Erf, maybe you buy case of champagne for Christmas, genuine Mumms."
