Thieves Fall Out Read Online Free PDF Page B

here every night, and you talk to him and after a while you sit down and perhaps go to sleep a little in the corner. No one bothers you. It is very gay. Then Le Mouche comes and sits beside you and you drink more absinthe. Then we meet two gentlemen we have appointment with. By then it is very late. When we go you are still talking to Le Mouche.”
    “Who is Le Mouche?”
    “He plays at piano here very nicely, from Lyon, he says, but really he is from Alexandria. But he likes to lie. Oh, very droll, he is.”
    “When does he come here?”
    “When it grows dark. No definite time. We are not so precise in Cairo.” They talked a little more, but they had no further information for Pete. As soon as he could, he excused himself, promising that he would visit them one day soon.
    His next stop was the Consulate.
    Mr. Case had grown no more mellow since the day before. “We have found no trace of the traveler’s checks as yet, but they are bound to turn up. It occurred to me, after you left, that if you could give us the serial numbers we would be able—”
    “Don’t remember them.”
    Mr. Case looked as though he was not in the least surprised. “In that case, we’ll send a cable to the branch office where you bought them and see what can be done about stopping payment. I’m not hopeful.”
    “Neither am I. In any case, I bought them in New Orleans, Seamen’s Bank.”
    “I will make a note of that.”
    “What does the Consul say?”
    Mr. Case looked at him coldly. “He is a very busy man. I haven’t had time to present the case to him yet. When I do, I will let you know.”
    “Thank you
very
much, Mr. Case,” said Pete, and he left the office, allowing the door to bang after him.
    * * *
    Hastings seemed quite cheerful at lunch. His bald head gleamed in the sunlight that streamed into the restaurant through tall windows overlooking the garden at Shepheard’s.
    “Have a good night, my boy?”
    “Only some of it.”
    Hastings looked surprised. “Didn’t like Hélène? I can hardly believe that. Splendid woman. All Cairo at her feet.”
    “I was at her feet, too, but it didn’t do much good.”
    “Women are funny,” said Hastings, as though communicating wisdom.
    “Then, after I went home, some people broke into the room and searched it, and me.”
    “Damned odd! Try the lobster. Believe it or not, they have a marvelous lobster here. Never dared ask, though, where they get it from.”
    Pete was growing angry. “I don’t see why it was necessary for you people to go messing up my room, ruining a good pair of shoes, and—and so on. She could’ve found out just as much, and more, on her own.”
    “Think Hélène was there, too?” Hastings’ expression was inscrutable.
    “I know she was. I got a look at her before they blind-folded me.” This was a lie, but it worked.
    Hastings nodded. “We’ll get you another pair of shoes. Sorry about that. Had to be done, though. Thorough investigation…must be reliable. Hope you understand. Surprised Hélène was there—
if
she was, of course.”
    “She was, all right.”
    “All for the best, believe me. Talked to her this morning and she said you’d do. Gave a fine report.” And Hastings chuckled as Pete flushed angrily.
    The lunch was served them with great ceremony. When it was over, they talked business. Hastings lighted a cigar, Peter refused the one offered him, taking a cigarette instead.
    “Now, Pete, my boy, we will get down to cases. Tonight you will take the wagon-lit to Luxor. You will get there tomorrow. You will be met at the station by a dragoman—that’s the local word for guide—named Osman. He will take you to your hotel, take care of all details. You can trust him. Now, after you’ve been there a day or so, sightseeing—must appear to be a tourist—you will be contacted by a Mr. Said. He will tell you what to do.”
    “And what is that?”
    Hastings blew a wreath of smoke about the neck of the wine bottle. “Wheels within