Mr. J. G. Reeder Returns (17 page)

The thing that came between Mr Redsack and his future appeared in the form of a smoky cloud on the horizon, and a grey hull. From one tiny mast broke a string of little flags. The Master of the tug reported to his chief passenger and charter party.

“A destroyer, sir,” he said.

“What does he say?” asked Redsack, interested in the nautical drama.

The Master consulted his signal book.

“‘Heave to, I am searching you’,” he read.

Redsack considered this.

“Suppose we don’t?” he suggested.

“He’ll sink us,” said the alarmed Master. “Why shouldn’t we let him come aboard?”

“That’s OK with me,” said Redsack.

He turned to the tall janitor, yellow-faced and shivering in spite of his heavy overcoat. “If I was sure they’d take me back to Sing-Sing, why, I wouldn’t mind,” he said. “Sing-Sing’s kind of a lucky prison to me. But now I’m so damned English that it’s Dartmoor or nothing, I guess. Or maybe they don’t hang people at Dartmoor.”

He considered the problem as the destroyer came nearer and nearer, and then he went down to the little cabin and scribbled a note.

“Dear Mr Reeder,

I said last night it was you or me, and I guess it’s me.”

He signed his name with a flourish, sat down on the hard sofa, took out a cigar. He heard the bump of a boat as it came alongside and an authoritative voice demanding particulars of the passengers.

Mr Redsack placed his cigar carefully into a little polished stove and shot himself.

Dates given are for year of first publication.

These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

Published by House of Stratus

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