Page:Vance--The rass bowl.djvu/187

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ILLUMINATION

"What are you driving at, anyhow?" he demanded roughly.

"Didn't you see the detectives? I should have thought your man would have warned you. I noticed four loitering round the entrance, as I came in, and feared. …"

"Why didn't you tell me, then?"

"I have just told you the reason. I supposed you were in your disguise. …"

"That's so." The alarmed expression gradually faded, though he remained troubled. "I sure am Maitland to the life," he continued with satisfaction. "Even the head-waiter——"

"And of course," she insinuated delicately, "you have disposed of the loot?"

He shook his head gloomily. "No time, as yet."

Her dismay was evident. "You don't mean to say——?"

"In my pocket."

"Oh!" She glanced stealthily around. "In your pocket!" she whispered. "And—and if they stopped you——"

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