"Twenty-four hours and he'll be in the cooler!"
Finally Gavegan managed to get a flame from one of those irritatingly
splintery Swedish matches made in Japan. Cigar alight he walked over
to Barlow's table. He conversed with his Chief a moment or two, then
went out. After a minute Barney saw Chief Barlow crossing toward the
bar. Barney seemed not to notice this movement. Barlow likewise paused
beside him to light a cigar; and from the side of the Chief's mouth
there issued: "Room 613."
Barlow passed on. Presently Barney finished the dreary drudgery of
drink and sauntered out. Five minutes later, having exercised the
proper caution, he was in Room 613, and the door was locked.
"What's this dope you just handed Gavegan about Larry Brainard?"
demanded Barlow.
Barney gave his information, again, but this time more fully. Of
course he omitted all mention of Maggie and the enterprise which Larry
had sought to interrupt; it was part of the tacit understanding
between these two that Barlow should have no knowledge of Barney's
professional doings, unless such knowledge should be forced upon him
by events or people too strong to be ignored.
"Did Brainard drop any clue that might give us a lead as to where he's
hiding out?"
Barney remembered something Larry had said half an hour before, which
he had considered mere boasting.
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