Again a silence fell between the watchers; then Toots asked: “Why don’t one of us go to the other end and smoke him out? I’m gettin’ tired of waitin’.”
“What’s eating you? Time’s cheap, ain’t it? The Phantom will come out when he gets ready.”
Another pause ensued; then the inquisitive Toots asked another question. “What I don’t get atall is how the ‘skirt’ figgers in the deal. Where does she come in, Slim?”
The Phantom held his breath to catch the answer.
“Search me. All I know is that the Phantom has a crush on her. I s’pose the boss thinks the Phantom will be easier to handle if he’s got a grip on the moll.”
“Where’s the boss keepin’ her?”
“Say, ask me somethin’ easy. The boss don’t tell me his secrets.”
The Phantom felt a twinge of disappointment. Toots’ question had given him hope of learning something about Helen’s whereabouts, but Slim’s answer had quickly dashed it.
“I’m dying for a smoke,” he heard Toots whisper.
“Well, get back in the corner and have one. But don’t make any noise, and be careful when you strike the match.”