Horser," he remarked, "that your presence has scarcely
contributed to the cheerfulness of our repast. Mr. Skinner, am I
to be favoured with your company also upstairs?"
Horser clutched that gentleman's arm and whispered a few words in
his ear.
"Mr. Skinner," he said, "will join us presently. What is your
number?"
"336," Mr. Sabin answered. "You will excuse my somewhat slow
progress."
They crossed the hall and entered the elevator. Mr. Horser's face
began to clear. In a moment or two they would be in Mr. Sabin's
sitting-room-alone. He regarded with satisfaction the other's slim,
delicate figure and the limp with which he moved. He felt that the
danger was already over.
CHAPTER V
BUT, after all, things did not exactly turn out as Mr. Horser had
imagined. The sight of the empty room and the closed door were
satisfactory enough, and he did not hesitate for a moment.
"Look here, sir," he said, "you and I are going to settle this
matter quick. Whatever you paid Skinner you can have back again.
But I'm going to have that report."
He took a quick step forward with uplifted hand--and looked into
the shining muzzle of a tiny revolver. Behind it Mr. Sabin's face,
no longer pleasant and courteous, had taken to itself some very
grim lines.
"I am a weak man, Mr. Horser, but I am never without the means of
self-defence," Mr.
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