Oscar's business is chiefly with the theatrical5 profession, but many an old beau and fading belle6 have found out that he knows more about restoring youth than the more fashionable beautifiers. Oscar loves his business. His knowledge, historical, artistic7, scientific, is immense—but all in terms of human hair. He can tell you offhand8 how Napoleon wore his in 1803 or any other year of his career, and will make you an exact sketch9 of the toupee10 ordered by the Duke of Wellington when his fell out.
Oscar himself, strangely enough, or perhaps naturally, has next to no hair of his own, merely a little mousy fringe above the ears. He has a jolly rubicund12 face and is held in high affection and esteem13 by his customers. He flatters me by taking a particular interest in my custom. I am the only one of his clients in the criminal line.
He led me into one of the little cubicles14 where the trying-on takes place, and stood off to observe me from between narrowed lids.
"What will it be now?" he said. "I was sorry to read of your accident."
"A mere11 trifle. What would you suggest? It must stand sunlight and shadow, and be something I can keep up for a while if necessary."
"Let me think! Your head and face offer a good starting-point for so many creations!"
"In other words the Lord left me unfinished," I said, teasingly.
"Not at all! I meant that in your case there were no awkward malformations to be overcome."
From which it will be seen that Oscar is a diplomat15.
"What would you say to a South American gentleman?" he asked. "New York is full of them in the summer."
I shook my head. "No time to bone up a Spanish accent."
"An officer of a liner on shore leave."
"On shore they look like anybody else."
"Well then, how about an Armenian fruit peddler?"
"That would restrict my activities too much. I must be able to go anywhere."
"I see you have an idea of your own," he said. "What is it?"
"We've used several rough-neck disguises," I said. "Suppose you fix me up as a swell16 this time. I have a mind to stop at a fashionable hotel."
"The very thing!" cried Oscar. "A curled toupee, slightly silvered; a wash for the skin to give an interesting pallour; a little touching17 up about the eyes for an expression of world weariness; waxed moustache, monocle——"
"Easy! The burning-glass would give me dead away. You have to be born to that."
"Well you don't have to have the monocle," said Oscar regretfully. "But it's very aristocratic. The costume must be exquisitely18 appointed—it will be expensive——"
"Expense is no object in this case," I said.
He set to work and an hour later I left his shop a changed man. In the event of such a contingency19 I had already secured from Mr. Dunsany the name of his tailor, and I now left him a rush order for several suits. Meanwhile I bought the best I could ready made. I went to the most fashionable outfitters and invested heavily. Until they displayed their stock here, I had no idea that men might indulge such extravagant20 tastes. All this was to be sent to the Hotel Rotterdam where I engaged an expensive suite21. I believed that it would be the last place in town where the gang would think of looking for me.
I wished to persuade them that I had been scared off. After having the cryptogram22 receipt photographed, I returned it in a plain envelope to Jumbo's flat. By telephone I instructed Keenan to discharge all the operatives, close the Forty-second street office and advertise it for rent. This place had outlived its usefulness. Jumbo, Foxy, et al., had proved themselves more than a match for such operatives as could be hired.
This done, I went out to Amityville to spend a day with Sadie. I had promised to lay off for a little, and anyway I had to wait until my new clothes were done before being seen around town. After the mad excitement of the past few days, we spent a heavenly peaceful interlude under the oaks of my friend's big place.
While I was out there an interesting report from my sole remaining operative arrived.
REPORT OF J. M. #10
June 27th.
As soon as I heard that you and S. F. were all right I went to bed as you instructed. It seemed to me that I had scarcely fallen asleep when I was awakened23 by my landlady24 at my door to say that a man wanted to see me. It was no more than daybreak then. Hard upon her knock Jumbo entered the room. I had barely time to pull on my false hair and fix it. Hereafter I shall have to sleep in it.
Jumbo was in a state of no little excitement. He gave me his version of what had happened. Lorina, having apparently25 just escaped from her room, had called him up about half an hour before. I am not sure but what Jumbo came to me because she had suggested a suspicion of me. However, I think it more likely that he just wanted moral support. He was badly frightened. Jumbo for all his bluff26, is not a strong character. He is dependent both on Foxy and on the woman, and now seems disposed to lean on me. If he was suspicious my sleepiness and bad-temper upon being awakened must have reassured27 him.
I dressed and we went right up to the Lexington avenue house. Being Sunday, I had the day to myself. Mrs. Mansfield had gone out leaving word that we were to wait until she came in or telephoned. The maids believed that she had gone to consult the police. These two were full of highly-coloured accounts of the supposed robbery of the night before. The hulking black man, however, was silent and sullen28. He knew. I wonder what you did to him. I don't think I ever saw a more repulsive29 human creature—or one more powerful.
Foxy arrived shortly after we did. I am now admitted to terms of the closest equality by these two. The understanding is that each knows enough to the discredit30 of the others to ensure faithfulness all around. We all chafed31 at the enforced inaction, but dared not go against Lorina's instructions. She is the boss. The other two half expected the police to descend32 on the house momentarily.
About ten o'clock Mrs. Mansfield returned in a taxi-cab. This taxi, by the way, is her property and the driver is one of the gang. The woman was handsomely dressed without disguise of any kind.
We had a conference in the sitting-room33 up-stairs. Mrs. Mansfield gave us some further details of the previous night. As soon as she succeeded in breaking out of her room after telephoning to Jumbo and Foxy she hastened up to S. F.'s house, also to your place, both of which addresses she knew. She said that she was disguised, so she must have some place outside where she changes her clothes. She found she was too late at both places. You had carried off S. F. in your automobile34.
Mrs. Mansfield then went down to Fortieth street. From the park opposite, she watched your office for four hours. You got inside too quick for her, she said, but when you came out she potted you. Her eyes gleamed like a devil's as she said it. Fancy how my heart went down.
She had then changed her clothes and come straight home. She couldn't tell how seriously she had wounded you. A general prayer went around the table that it would be your finish. She said we should hear presently.
She seems to have an unlimited35 number of men subject to her orders. While she waited for you at your office she had sent for several, and posted them near. They mixed in the crowd that surrounded you when you fell. One of them had been instructed to make away with your satchel36. Another was to follow the ambulance to the hospital. A third was to recover her gun after the excitement was over and return it to her.
The first of these, an evil-looking young blackguard, came in while we talked. He reported no success. The satchel was strapped37 to your wrist, he said, and when he started to unfasten it the crowd began to murmur38. He said that you had been shot in the shoulder, and had been carried to Bellevue. He gave it as his opinion that you were not as badly hurt as you made out. This cheered me greatly. Bitter disappointment was expressed around the table.
Later another of Lorina's men reported by telephone that he had learned through an orderly in the hospital that you had suffered only a slight flesh wound, and would be able to leave the hospital next day. On hearing this she gave her orders to have every exit from the hospital watched. Instructions were to shoot to kill. If it can be found out in advance what time you are going to leave, she means to be on hand herself.
As soon as I could get out without exciting suspicion, I sent you a warning by telephone.
J. M.
#11
June 28th.
To-day I had to go to my work as usual, so I didn't see any of the gang until night. In our present state of excitement and uncertainty39 we have abandoned the Turtle Bay as a meeting place. I found my partners in anything but a good humour.
In the first place they had learned through the friendly orderly that in spite of all their measures, you had been safely spirited out of the hospital in an ambulance. It was learned by way of the ambulance driver that you had been carried to Dr. ——'s private hospital. It was then too late to do anything. By the time they got there, you had left, and the town had swallowed you up.
The entire strength of the gang, excepting me, has been devoted40 all day to picking up your trail, so far without any success. They have watched all your usual haunts, your flat, your restaurant, S. F.'s home and your office on Fortieth street. Foxy brought in word that the International Bureau on Forty-Second street had been closed, and all the operatives discharged. He trailed Keenan, the supposed manager to the office of the —— Railway, where he was re-engaged for his old position.
Jumbo came in with the information that the piece of evidence which they regarded as of such importance had been returned to him. I don't know what this was. Lorina, examining it, said that it appeared to have the remains41 of paste on the corners, and that you had probably had it photographed.
Foxy gave it as his opinion that you had been scared off. "We know there is no one backing him," said he. "He has no financial resources. He can't keep it up."
Lorina would have none of it. Her eyes become incandescent42 with hatred43 when your name is mentioned now. "Don't you believe it," she snarled44. "That man will never give up. I have seen his face and I know! He's a bull-dog. He will never rest until he has pulled us down, unless we stop him with a bullet."
Jumbo became panicky. His suggestion was for the gang to scatter45 and lie low for the time-being.
Lorina scorned him. She proceeded to point out to us all just where you stood. She appeared to know as well as you do. Her insight is uncanny. You have no case, she said, except possibly against Foxy. You are too conceited46 to be satisfied with one. You will not strike until you have a chance of landing the whole gang.
"But how about the kidnapping?" asked Jumbo.
"The police would have been here before this if Enderby wanted to proceed on that," she said. "Why, he watched me walk away after I shot him; and never said a word. No, I tell you he hasn't got the evidence yet, and we're safe until he gets it. He's aiming to make a grand haul of the whole gang together, and get his name in the headlines."
The others were considerably48 impressed. They asked for instructions.
"We've got to go on just as we are," said Lorina. "Foxy must keep the room on Forty-Ninth street, Jumbo the flat on One Hundredth street, and I stay here. Let everybody go about freely, and meet here as usual, that is, all except English. English mustn't come here again. Enderby isn't on to him yet. Enderby, if I have the right dope, will lie low for a few days and then thinking that we are lulled49 to security, will quietly start to work again. That's why we must keep our present hang-outs. He's got to come to one of them to pick us up, and then we'll have him."
This woman is a wonder in her way. Fortunately, there is one fact that spoils all her reasoning—your humble50 servant.
As we broke up she said a significant thing. "Lord! the conceit47 of the man, thinking he can break up the gang! Why if he did land all of us it wouldn't make any difference. He hasn't got within a mile of the real boss!"
Being excited she spoke51 more recklessly than usual. So it appears that our work perhaps is just beginning!
J. M.
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1
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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thespians
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| n.演员( thespian的名词复数 )；悲剧演员 | |
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hirsute
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| adj.多毛的 | |
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intoxicating
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| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
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theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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8
offhand
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| adj.临时，无准备的；随便，马虎的 | |
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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10
toupee
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| n.假发 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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rubicund
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| adj.(脸色)红润的 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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cubicles
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| n.小卧室，斗室( cubicle的名词复数 ) | |
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diplomat
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| n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人 | |
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16
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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17
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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18
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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contingency
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| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
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extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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cryptogram
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| n.密码 | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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discredit
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| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
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chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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satchel
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| n.(皮或帆布的)书包 | |
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strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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incandescent
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| adj.遇热发光的， 白炽的，感情强烈的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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45
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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46
conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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48
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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49
lulled
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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50
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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51
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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