“Oh, very well,” Jarvis finally said. “I presume it’s the easiest way to get rid of you. Sam gets nothing, but I will pay you. I have the money here.”
He thrust his hand into his pocket, but when he drew it forth a revolver gleamed in his fingers and the muzzle was turned on the disguised desperado.
“Put up that knife, you dog!” he commanded; “or I will blow a hole in you! You threatened to betray me to the police! Why, you idiot! You would not dare show your face to the police of this city! They want you, and they would nab you the moment you appeared before them! You can’t bluff me!”
Bill uttered an oath.
“Here, Sam, you infernal coward!” he called. “Where are you?”
“I am here,” was the answer, and Bill’s companion once more appeared in the doorway. His eyes surveyed the scene.
“What did you sneak for?” hissed Bill. “You gave him a chance to pull a gun on me! Had you remained here——”
“It would have made no difference,” asserted Jarvis.
“Perhaps not,” said Sam, as he lifted his fingers to his lips.
From those lips suddenly came a clear, shrill, peculiar whistle that caused Bill and Jarvis to start in astonishment.