| 156 | 157 | 158 | 159 | 160 |
| 1 | 51 | 103 | 154 | 205 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
"Very well," assented Compton, "but we'll preserve this bit of evidence in case we
may need it later," and he handed the slip of paper to Edith Hudson. "File this,
please, Miss Hudson," he said; and then, turning to Bince:
"It may be nothing, but I don't like the idea of it. There is apt to be something
underlying this, or even if it is only a single individual and he happens to be a
crank he could cause a lot of trouble. Suppose, for instance, one of these crack-
brained foreigners in the shop got it into his head that Torrance here was
grinding him down in order to increase our profits? Why, he might attack him at
any time! I tell you, we have got to be prepared for such a contingency, especially
now that we have concrete evidence that there is such a man in our employ. I
think you ought to be armed, Mr. Torrance. Have you a pistol?"
Jimmy shook his head negatively.
"No, sir," he said; "not here."
Compton opened a desk drawer.
"Take this one," he said, and handed Jimmy an automatic.
The latter smiled. "Really, Mr. Compton," he said, "I don't believe I need such an
article."
"I want you to take it," insisted Compton. "I want you to be on the safe side."
A moment later Bince and Jimmy left the office together. Jimmy still carried the
pistol in his hand.
158
Page
Quick Jump
|