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I'd like to talk over with you, if I can see you alone." He looked pointedly at the
other.
"
My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets."
"
That may be so--but I have," said Julius dryly. "So I'd be obliged if you'd tell him
to scoot."
"Ivan," said the Russian softly, "perhaps you would not mind retiring into the
next room----"
"
The next room won't do," interrupted Julius. "I know these ducal suites--and I
want this one plumb empty except for you and me. Send him round to a store to
buy a penn'orth of peanuts."
Though not particularly enjoying the American's free and easy manner of speech,
Kramenin was devoured by curiosity. "Will your business take long to state?"
"Might be an all night job if you caught on."
"Very good, Ivan. I shall not require you again this evening. Go to the theatre--
take a night off."
"Thank you, your excellency."
The secretary bowed and departed.
Julius stood at the door watching his retreat. Finally, with a satisfied sigh, he
closed it, and came back to his position in the centre of the room.
"
Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to the point?"
I guess that won't take a minute," drawled Julius. Then, with an abrupt change
"
of manner: "Hands up--or I shoot!"
For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic, then, with almost
comical haste, he flung up his hands above his head. In that instant Julius had
taken his measure. The man he had to deal with was an abject physical coward--
the rest would be easy.
"
This is an outrage," cried the Russian in a high hysterical voice. "An outrage! Do
you mean to kill me?"
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