"Before your tender heart gets you into any more trouble," Hamilton said, "you'd better get out of there if you can. I'll talk to you again in New York. I've got another job for you."
"You always have," said the Saint. "I'll get out. Hogan can hold the fort long enough."
He cradled the telephone and looked at the federal man again. He said: "It's all yours, Patrick. Washington wants me out of the limelight. As usual... By the way, is the name really Hogan?"
The other nodded. Simon had done all that he could for him: he would be able to hold the fort. And other forts again. His face was still pale and drawn and shiny, but there was no uncertainty in it. It was a good face, moulded on real foundations, and durable.
"Sure," he said. "Hogan's the name. But I was born in New Jersey, and I have to work like hell on the brogue." He was studying the Saint while he talked, quite frankly and openly, but with a quiet respect that was a natural part of his reversion from the character part he had been playing, sitting very laxly but squarely in an armchair with the glass of brandy that Simon had poured for him, conserving and gathering his strength. He said: "You had me fooled. Your cockney's a lot better. And that make-up — it is a make-up, isn't it?"
"I hope so," said the Saint with a smile. "I'd hate to look like this for the rest of my life."
"I didn't expect anything like this when I left my badge in your pocket. I was just clutching at a straw. I figured it was a thousand to one it wouldn't do me any good. I thought you were just another drunken sailor — in fact, I let you pick me up just for that, so I could watch what this gang would do with you."
The Saint laughed a little.
Avalon Dexter finished binding up his arm with torn strips of another of Cookie's expensive sheets. She was very cool and efficient about it. He moved his arm and tested the bandage approvingly; then he began to wriggle into his jacket again. Zellermann's one shot had missed the bone: the bullet had passed clean through, and the flesh wound would take care of itself.
He said: "Thanks, darling."