CHAPTER 13“Get back, Bayard,” Bale snarled. “Rotten luck, that; I needed the swine alive for hanging.” I stood up slowly. He stared at me, gnawing his lip. “It was you I wanted dead; and this fool traded lives with you.”
He seemed to be talking to himself. I recognized the voice now, a little late. Bale was the Big Boss. It was the fact that he spoke in French here that had fooled me.
“All right,” he said in abrupt decision. “He can trade deaths with you too. You’ll do to hang in his place. I’ll give the mob their circus. You wanted to take his place, here’s your chance.”
He stepped farther into the room, motioned others in. Evil-looking thugs came through the door, peering about, glancing at Bale for orders.
“Put him in a cell,” Bale said. “And I’m warning you, Cassu, keep your bloody
