Bloom was on his feet by now. He said:
“Well, if you don’t care to have the information I’ve got, it’s your own affair. I’ll go to a private man instead. O.K. by me. Private work gives you much greater freedom, once you get a start. I thought I would give you first chance, but if you only want the prize-fighter type—” He pushed forward his deformed foot and looked challengingly at Bobby. “I knew—that—barred me,” he said. “I thought I could show you—but if you don’t want to be shown, not my fault. It just means I’ll get my start in private practice instead. Better from my point of view. More scope. No hidebound rules and regulations.”
He flung this out with mingled triumph and defiance, gave Bobby a nod which plainly meant ‘what do you think of that?’ and was moving towards the door when Bobby called him back.
“One moment, Mr Bloom,” he said, though still not sure whether to take this odd youngster seriously or not. “Please remember that if you know, or think you know, anything affecting public security or welfare, and you keep silent about it, then you may find yourself an accessory before the fact and may become liable to severe penalty.”
The young man laughed scornfully.
“When my story breaks,” he said, “I think—I rather think—that’ll be all right. I don’t know whether you will think so, though.” He turned towards the door and then turned back. “By the way,” he said, “ever go to see McRell Pink at the New Grand?”
Therewith he gave Bobby a nod charged full—overflowing, in fact—with mystery, warning, and significance, and so departed, while Bobby, puzzled, amused, and just the merest trifle worried as well, returned to all those piled-up forms, inquiries and reports heaped so high upon his desk.
Published by Dean Street Press 2016
Copyright © 1944 E.R. Punshon
Introduction Copyright © 2016 Curtis Evans
All Rights Reserved
This ebook is published by licence, issued under the UK Orphan Works Licensing Scheme.
First published in 1944 by Victor Gollancz
Cover by DSP
ISBN 978 1 911413 38 7
www.deanstreetpress.co.uk
Night's Cloak: A Bobby Owen Mystery Page 27