<p>He was a broad-shouldered lad and he looked plenty shrewd. He nodded to an upholstered chair. “Sit down, Mr. Dolan.” He was studying me closely. “Aren't you the collector, the man who found Mr. Cragg?” “Mmm-hmm,” I said. “Did you <a href="http://www.juicycoutureoutletonlinestore.net/">juicy couture outlet online</a> intend to farm the place yourself, Mr. Dolan?” “Well, yes,” I said. “It's the kind of life I'd like.” I looked him straight in the eye. “The air is so fresh. And I like the water.” His gaze didn't waver. “What were you prepared to offer?” The place was worth, at the outside, about five thousand. “Eight thousand dollars,” I said. He shook his head. “The constable out there called me and made a better offer than that last night.” “How much more?” “He offered twelve thousand—cash.” If I had any doubts as to the constable's honesty before, they were doubled now. That was a lot of money for a salaried man to have—in cash. “You going to sell to him?” I asked. He shook his head. “I've half promised another man that I'd sell him a three months' option. I'm morally obligated to accept it if he wants to close today.” “I see,” I said. Then I took a shot in the dark.

</p><p>This other man wouldn't be a stooge, would he?” His face tinged with color. “Just what do you mean?” “I mean he wouldn't be a pal, some one to help you hang onto the place until you start drilling?” “Drilling?” “Look,” I said. “You're from Oklahoma. If anyone knew what oil casing looked like, you would. And you've been out to the farm with Miss Cragg often enough. You probably drank from the well. Let's put our cards on the table, Madison.” His face was dead white. “Are you suggesting I'd engage in something shady?” “You've done it before,” I said. “And you'd do it again. You might even commit murder; you might send Lenny out to California on a drunken holiday. As a promoter, you're known to be a very slick operator.” His voice was deadly calm as he said: “You've built up quite a case. I don't know whether to give you another drink or call the police.” “Call the police,” I told him. “And we'll search the room for Turkish cigarettes. “ That really staggered him. For the first time he looked frightened. “Cigarettes—are you crazy? I smoke a pipe.” “There was Turkish tobacco dust in that wound on Cragg's head,” I said quietly. “Are you going to call the police?” He sat and glared at me. “Then I will,” I said. I reached for the phone. His voice was sharp. “Don't!” I sat back in my chair. ''I'm innocent,” he said. “But you've built up a case. I suppose it's blackmail— and I can't afford that. I'll sell you the farm.” He rose wearily. “I'll get the papers.” He was in the bedroom <a href="http://www.juicycoutureoutletonlinestore.net/juicy-couture-purses-c-6.html">juicy couture cheap purses</a> before I could stop him. But he was back in twenty seconds, a sheaf of papers in his hand. He laid them on the desk next to my chair— and I saw what was under them. It was an automatic.

</p><p> He had it pointed at my chest. He didn't say a word, but I understood. He picked up the phone and called a number. Then he said: “Joe Spad, please.” A few seconds, and he said: “Joe? This is Lee Madison. I've got a little job for you. How soon can you be here? About twenty minutes? I'll be waiting.” As a pug, I'd known quite a few of the town's scum. And Joe Spad was a torpedo with a very vicious reputation. I shivered a little, though the room was warm. MADISON turned to me and said: “I don't smoke cigarettes. But I blend my own tobacco.” He pointed to three large casks in the bookcase flanking the fireplace. “One of those is full of Turkish tobacco. It might be embarrassing to me to have it analyzed.” A cask like that, I thought, would be a good place to hide a blackjack. Madison still had the gun pointed at my chest. “Why is it,” he said, “that little fellows are always so nosey?” I didn't answer. “You should have stuck to collecting,” he said. He was right about that. “Is the blackjack still in the cask?” I asked him. “No. It's at the bottom of the river.” He laughed dryly. “Maybe you'll join it, after Joe gets through with you.” “At least seven people know I was coming to see you,” I said. “You'll have to blow town in an awful hurry. Now, if you'd use your head—” His eyes narrowed, and I tensed. I had my good right hand bunched. “You're lying,” he said. But he lowered the gun and I saw something. He had the automatic's safety on.</p>