1950 - Mallory Read Online Free PDF

amuses you to extract money from racketeers, but even racketeers are protected by the police. You haven’t quite made up your mind, have you? We have a job for you. It’s a job that will suit you, and it’s worth a thousand pounds.’
     
    III
     
    R anleigh came into the room, his hand in his pocket. He glanced quickly at Corridon, then wandered up to Jeanne and stood by her side.
    ‘How are you two getting on?’ he asked and smiled encouragingly. He reminded Corridon of a Welfare Officer trying to make the Camp concert go with a swing. ‘We’ve dug up a lot of information about you, haven’t we?’ His hand rested lightly on the back of Jeanne’s chair.
    ‘If you have the time to waste you can dig up as much about anyone,’ Corridon returned shortly. He slid his hand into his pocket. Instantly Jan jerked up the Mauser.
    ‘Bring your hand out very slowly please,’ he said softly but with menace.
    ‘It’s all right,’ Ranleigh said quickly. ‘He’s not going to make trouble. Put the gun away.’
    ‘That’s right,’ Corridon said and brought out his cigarettes.
    ‘I never make trouble,’ and he laughed.
    ‘I do not put the gun away,’ Jan said to Ranleigh. ‘I do not trust him. You may, but I do not.’
    ‘There’s one more thing we want to ask before we tell you about the job,’ Jeanne said, paying no attention to what was being said.
    ‘I tell you I do not trust him—’ Jan began when Jeanne screamed at him, ‘Be quiet! I’m talking! Be quiet!’
    ‘And that, fatty, is telling you,’ Corridon said.
    ‘I have to ask you one more question,’ Jeanne said, turning back to Corridon, her black eyes glittering.
    ‘All right; what is it?’
    She hesitated, then looked over her shoulder at Ranleigh.
    ‘Ask him.’ She waved her hand towards Corridon.
    ‘Oh, yes,’ Ranleigh. ‘Yes - I wonder if you’d mind letting us see your chest and back? You can guess why, can’t you? You see, it’s like this: we’re not absolutely sure you are Corridon. We’ve checked up on you as best we can. We have your official record, but it doesn’t contain your photograph. We do know about the scars on your chest and back, and we have to be absolutely sure you are Corridon.’
    Corridon uncrossed his legs and made to get up. He had had enough of this. There was a frosty look in his eyes and his mouth was set in an angry line.
    ‘Sit still,’ Jan said. The gun threatened Corridon. ‘If you move I will shoot. I am a very good shot. I could take off a finger. I mean it’
    Corridon relaxed back into the chair again.
    ‘I’m not putting on a show for anyone,’ he said. He wanted to hit Jan and damage him. ‘You can go to hell - the three of you.’
    There was a moment’s surprised silence, then Jan took a step forward, his shoulders hunched. But Ranleigh’s hand closed over his wrist.
    ‘Cut it out!’ he cried. ‘We’re doing this all wrong. Go and look after Crew. Go on, get out of here!’
    Jan wrenched away.
    ‘We’re wasting time,’ he exploded excitedly. ‘Leave him to me.’ There was a vicious snap in his voice now. ‘He sits there, sneering at us. Leave him to me for three minutes. He’ll sneer the other side of his face.’
    ‘You fool!’ Jeanne cried, jumping to her feet. ‘You? You think you can made him talk? After what the Gestapo did to him. You?’ Her lips curled scornfully.
    Jan flew round on her, his mouth working.
    ‘There’s too much talk . . .’ he began, his voice high-pitched, when Corridon suddenly shot out of his chair. He had caught Jan’s wrist, snatched the gun out of his hand and clubbed him on the side of his head before any of them realized he had moved. Jan went staggering across the room, dazed. He bounced against the wall, then slid to the floor and lay there.
    Jeanne and Ranleigh stood motionless, staring at Corridon who held the Mauser, pointing at them.
    ‘He’s right. There’s been too much talk! I’ve had enough of it and I’m going.’ Then he