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There was a roar of applause.
"You hear?" said the German, his eyes on Tommy. "What have you to say to
that?"
"Say?" Tommy shrugged his shoulders. "Pack of fools. Let them ask themselves a
few questions. How did I get into this place? Remember what dear old Conrad
said--WITH YOUR OWN PASSWORD, wasn't it? How did I get hold of that? You
don't suppose I came up those steps haphazard and said the first thing that came
into my head?"
Tommy was pleased with the concluding words of this speech. His only regret was
that Tuppence was not present to appreciate its full flavour.
"
That is true," said the working man suddenly. "Comrades, we have been
betrayed!"
An ugly murmur arose. Tommy smiled at them encouragingly.
"
That's better. How can you hope to make a success of any job if you don't use
your brains?"
"You will tell us who has betrayed us," said the German. "But that shall not save
you--oh, no! You shall tell us all that you know. Boris, here, knows pretty ways of
making people speak!"
"
Bah!" said Tommy scornfully, fighting down a singularly unpleasant feeling in
the pit of his stomach. "You will neither torture me nor kill me."
"And why not?" asked Boris.
"Because you'd kill the goose that lays the golden eggs," replied Tommy quietly.
There was a momentary pause. It seemed as though Tommy's persistent
assurance was at last conquering. They were no longer completely sure of
themselves. The man in the shabby clothes stared at Tommy searchingly.
"He's bluffing you, Boris," he said quietly.
Tommy hated him. Had the man seen through him?
The German, with an effort, turned roughly to Tommy.
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