But I was one too many for him--"
"My dear Cleek!"
"Mr. Lake, I beg of you--not so loud!" ejaculated Cleek. "There are ears
everywhere, which you as a policeman ought to know. Do remember my name
and don't go losing any sleep over me. I can take care of myself, all
right. But I had to do it pretty energetically last night. A thoughtful
visitor stabbed the pillow I'd placed in bed instead of my humble self,
and cut an incision three inches deep. Hit the mattress, too!"
"Headland, my God--!"
"Now, don't take on so. I tell you I can take care of myself, but you do
the same. No one in the house knows a word about it, and I don't intend
that they shall. The less said the better, in a case like this. Only
those Frozen Flames are trying to eat up something that is either very
serious or very money-making. One thing or the other.... Hello, here we
are! Mornin' Petrie; mornin' Hammond. All ready for the search I see."
The two constables, clad in plain clothes and accompanied by Dollops,
were holding in their hands long pitchforks which looked more as if they
were ready for haymaking than for the gruesome task ahead of them all.
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