CHAPTER 25Donnegan stepped to a chair and sat down. He took out his watch and held it in his hand, studying the dial, and the colonel knew that his time limit was taken literally.
“I swear to you,” he said, “that if you can help me to the possession of Landis while he is ill, I shall not lay a finger upon him or harm him in any way.”
“You swear?” said Donnegan with that ugly smile.
“My dear boy, do you think I am reckless enough to break a promise I have given to you?”
The cynical glance of Donnegan probed the colonel to the heart, but the eyes of the fat man did not wince. Neither did he speak again, but the two calmly stared at each other. At the end of the minute, Donnegan slipped the watch into his pocket.
“I am ready to listen to reason,” he said. And the colonel passed one of hi
