"The best stunt would be to plug the old man now," added Butcher. "But not unless it could be made to look like suicide. That's what Judge told me."
"Besides that, Judge is waiting to hear how Major and Deacon are making out. So here's the gag:
"If the phone rings, it means that all is O.K. You can go the limit. If it doesn't ring in ten minutes, try to get the stuff he's writing, anyway. Get me?"
"I see. Judge is going to call here when he hears from the others—"
"Right."
Ferret sneaked back to the window. He saw Delmar still writing, now on the second page.
The old man completed his work and carefully read over the data. He then laid the papers aside with a sigh. He uncovered the revolver, and held it in his hand. Thoughts of suicide were beyond Delmar, now. He looked at the gun in contempt.
The telephone rang. Roland Delmar laid the revolver on the desk. He went to the table to answer the ring.
"Hello," he said. "Hello — what's that?… No… You must have the wrong number…"
Delmar's back was toward the window, and his attention was occupied. Ferret recognized the signal. The moment that he heard Delmar questioning, Ferret knew the call was the fake one from Judge. It meant that he could take any risk.