He held in his hand an oil-lamp. The chimney had been smoked in such a way that the light of the flame was thrown forward and not back. Lefever in the background, nothing disturbed, threw a flash-light back at the half-dressed innkeeper. His hair was tumbled sleepily across his forehead and his eyesone showing a white scar across the pupilset deep in retreating orbits, blinked under heavy brows. What do you want? he demanded. Pardaloe, without answering, pushed through the half-open door into the room.
Were staying here to-night, announced Pardaloe, as simply as possible. Lefever had already edged into the doorway, pushing the stubborn innkeeper aside by sheer bulk of weight and size.
The sleepy man gave ground stubbornly. Ive got no beds, he growled surlily. You cant stay here.
Lefever at once assumed the case for the intruders. I could sleep this minute standing on my head, he declared. And as for staying here, I cant stay anywhere else. Whats your name, son? he demanded, buttonholing in his off-hand way the protesting man.
My name is Philippi, answered the one-eyed defiantly.
Regards to Brutus, my dear fellow, retorted Lefever, seizing the mans hand as if happily surprised.
You cant crowd in here, so you might as well move on, declared Philippi gruffly. This is no hotel.
Lefever laughed. No offense, Philippi, but would it be indiscreet to ask which side of your face hurts the most when you smile?
If youve got no beds, we wont bother you long, interposed Pardaloe.
Id like a pitcher of ice-water, anyway, persisted Lefever. Sit down, noble Greek; well talk this over.
Who are you fellows? demanded Philippi, looking from one to the other.
I am a prospector from the Purgatoire, answered Pardaloe.
Philippi turned his keen eye on Lefever. You a railroad man?
No, sir, declared Lefever, dusting the alkali vigorously from his coat sleeve.
What are you?
John looked as modest as it was possible for him to look. Few people ask me that, but in matter of fact I am an objet dart .
Whats that?
Different things at different times to different men, Philippi, answered Lefever simply, exploring, while he spoke, different corners of the room with his flash-light. At this moment he stopped suddenly, then resumed reassuringlyI want a drink.
Nothing doing, muttered the landlord sulkily.
Lefevers flash-light focussed on a United States license hanging back of the bar. Is that a mere frame-up, Philippi? he demanded, walking significantly toward the venders authority.
Nothing in the house to-night.
Then, announced Lefever calmly, I arrest you.
Philippi started. Arrest me?
For obtaining a thirst under false pretenses. Come, now, before we slip the irons on, get us something to eat. Ill go up-stairs and pick out a room to sleep in.
I tell you, insisted Philippi profanely, there are no rooms for you to sleep in up-stairs.
And I, retorted Lefever, tell you there are. Anyway, I left a sewing-machine up-stairs here three years ago, and promised to keep it oiled for the lady. This is a good time to begin.
With Lefever making the old steps creak, ahead, and Pardaloe, with his long, soft, pigeon-toed tread close behind, the unwilling landlord was taken up the stairs, and the two men thoroughly searched the house. Lefever lowered his voice when the hunt began through the bedroomsfew of which contained even a bedbut he kept up a running fire of talk that gave Philippi no respite from anxiety.
Outside the kitchen quarters, which likewise were rigorously
searched, not a soul could be found in the house. One room only, over the kitchen, gave hope of uncovering something. The party reached the door of this room through a narrow, tortuous passageway along an attic gable. The door was locked. Philippi told them it belonged to a sheep-herder who did not use it often. He protested he had no key. Pardaloe knocked and, getting no response, tried unsuccessfully to force the lock. Lefever motioned him aside and, after knocking loudly on the door himself, laid his shoulder against it. The door creaked and sprung in crazy protest. The panels cracked, the stubborn frame gave, and with a violent crash Lefever pushed completely through the locked barrier and threw his flash-light inside. Pardaloe, urging the unwilling Philippi ahead, followed.
The room, unfinished under the rafters, was destitute of furnishings, and bore traces of long disuse. Stretched on the floor toward the middle of it, and side by side, lay two men. One of them was very large, the other not more than half his companions size. Lefever kneeling over the man nearest the door listened for signs of breathing, and laid his head to the mans heart. Having completed his examination, he went around to the otherPardaloe and Philippi silently watchingand looked him over with equal care. When he had done, he examined, superficially, the wounds of each man. Rising, he turned toward Philippi. Were these men dead when you brought them up here?
I didnt bring em up, growled Philippi.