Figure it Out For Yourself

Barratt draped the coat over my shoulders, and wrapped a silk scarf around my mouth to hide the tape.

'We shan't meet again, Malloy,' he said to me. 'Maybe I'll see you, but you won't see me.' He shoved me towards Dedrick. 'Get going.'

Dedrick took my arm and led me into the passage.

There was no one to see us get into the elevator. When the elevator came to rest at the ground floor, Dedrick dug the gun into my side.

'Don't forget, one false move and you get it,' he said I could see sweat running down his face.

We walked into the lobby. He shoved me across the stretch of carpet to the front entrance, down the steps to the Buick.

Two girls were walking up the drive. They glanced at us without interest, passed us and entered the lobby.

Dedrick opened the rear door.

'Get in!'

As I bent forward to get in the car, Dedrick smashed his gun butt down on my head.

III

My mind came fumbling out of a dark pit. Consciousness returned like a hangover on a foggy morning. First, I became aware of a throbbing pain in my head, then, as I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on my back, the beam of a flashlight playing on my face. I grunted, turned my head and tried to sit up. A hand on my chest shoved me back.

'Stay parked,' Dedrick growled. 'I'm just bedding you down.' His fingers picked the end of the tape loose that bound my mouth. When he had enough purchase, he gave it a quick hard pull, skinning it off my mouth. That hurt, and I grunted again.

The light was bothering me, but the dank, cold air and the darkness beyond the beam of the flashlight bothered me more.

'What's going on?' I growled.

'You'll find out.'

I felt something tight around my waist. Bending my head I could see Dedrick fastening a thick chain, looped round my middle, with a padlock. I looked beyond him at the rough-hewn walls, supported by blackened props of wood.

'Where's this - the mine?' I asked.

'Yeah; a hundred feet below ground.' He snapped the pad-lock shut and stood away. 'This isn't my idea, Malloy. You heard what he said. I've nothing against you. I'd put a slug through your head if it wasn't for him. He'll come and look at you tomorrow.'

'Is he going to leave me here to starve to death?' I asked, testing the tape that bound my hands. There was no give in it at all.

'You won't starve.' He paused while he lit a cigarette. I saw his hand was unsteady. 'You won't have time to starve.'

'What do you mean?'

'You'll find out. If you give me your word not to start anything until I've gone I'll undo your hands. At least, it'll give you a fighting chance.'

I was beginning to feel spooked.

'If I get my hands free, I'll probably strangle you,' I said 'I scare easy, but not that easy.'

'Don't talk like a fool. You don't know what you're up against. Turn over. I'm going to free your hands.'

I turned over, and he shoved his knee in my back as he pulled the tape loose. He was out of range before I could grab him.

I pushed myself into a sitting position. I couldn't stay upright: the chain holding me was too short, but it was a nice feeling to have free hands again.

'I'll leave you a light,' Dedrick said. That's about the best I can do for you.'

'You have a bad dose of conscience.' As I rubbed my wrists trying to restore the circulation, I stared up at him. 'What's going to happen?'

'I don't know.' He looked down the long tunnel, lifting his torch and throwing the powerful beam into the inky blackness. 'Take a look at that. Your guess is as good as mine.'

The beam of the torch rested on what looked like a heap of rags. I peered at it; saw bits and pieces of what once had been a lounge suit.

'There's a skeleton under those clothes,' Dedrick said, and I heard his breath whistle down his nostrils. 'We left him here for not more than twelve hours, and that's what he turned into: rags and bones, and not a damn thing else.'

'Who is it?' My voice sounded hollow.

'Never mind who it is.'

I decided it couldn't be anyone else but Lute Ferris.

'It's Ferris, isn't it?'

'Just another guy who was a nuisance,' Dedrick said, and wiped his face with his handkerchief. 'Something's eaten him.' He looked uneasily into the darkness. 'There's some kind of animal down here: maybe a lynx.' He took another flashlight from his hip pocket and tossed it to me. That'll keep you company. If you hear Barratt coming, put it out of sight He'd murder me if he knew I'd left you a light.'

'Well, thanks,' I said, and flung the beam of the torch he had given me on to his face. 'Why not go the whole way and let me free? You're hating this, Dedrick. Come on; you might still beat the rap, and if you get me out of this, I'll do what I can for you.'

'Not a chance,' he said. 'You don't know Barratt. He's the last man anyone in their right minds would cross. So long, Malloy. I hope it's quick.'