“Is he safe, Paul?” Forest asked quietly.
Conrad nodded.
“Yes. I’ve taken every precaution. It’s impossible for anyone to get near the lodge. That’s why I picked the place. There is only one road to the lodge. It is cut through country that doesn’t offer a scrap of cover. The only other way is up a two-hundred-foot precipice that a fly couldn’t climb. I have men patrolling the top just in case someone attempts to get up with ropes and climbing tackle. Miss Coleman and Weiner are never left for a moment. So long as they stay at the lodge they’re safe enough.”
“And yet Weiner still imagines he’ll get wiped out?”
“The trouble there is he knows none of the mob have ever talked and survived. It’s become the accepted thing to believe Maurer’s arm will reach anywhere. Once I can break down that idea, I think he’ll give us all the information we want, but at the moment nothing seems to convince him.”
“Frankly, I don’t blame him,” Forest said seriously. “Maurer has an unpleasant habit of silencing people who talk. Have you considered the human element, Paul?”
“Of course that comes into it,” Conrad admitted, “but I’ve taken the precaution to pick men with good records. I’ve also taken the precaution to make certain no guard works alone. He has with him a companion at all times. Sergeant O’Brien, whom you know, is in charge of them. O’Brien is as safe as I am.”
“Sure,” Forest said. “I’ve known O’Brien for years. He’s my idea of a first-class policeman. How about leave? Isn’t there a danger that these men can be got at when they take a day off?”
“They’re not having any days off,” Conrad returned. “I’ve told them this is a full-time job until it is over. The only three who are allowed to leave the lodge are Van Roche, O’Brien and myself. If I can’t trust those two then I can’t trust anyone.”
“Well, you’ve certainly got the situation in hand. I’ll come out over the weekend and see for myself.”