"A girl goes to the police for help in finding her lover. They laugh at her because he was a gangster."
For an instant Riever looked at her like an animal at bay, his teeth showing, his eyes senseless with terror. It was gone in a snap of the fingers, but it was enough.
"I guess that's common enough," he said with a laugh.
"What a situation for a story," said Pen.
"Oh yes, if you like that sort of story," he said, flicking the ash off his cigar.
Pen said to herself with a swelling breast: "I have made a beginning!" No need for her to secure the paper. Those names and that address were etched on her brain.
Riever's start of terror had been due to a reflex action of which he was scarcely conscious. He did not suspect that he had betrayed himself. He must have argued that it was impossible that Pen should connect him with that item in the paper. Her speaking of it could only have been a coincidence. So his satisfaction was undisturbed. They talked on about all sorts of things. But Pen was wild to get into action now.
Her opportunity came when one of Riever's men came to ask if he had any orders for the boat. It was returning to the Island to get the regular mail which arrived about noon.
Pen said to Riever: "This would be a good chance for me to get my shopping done. If I might..."
"Certainly," said Riever. "If you must. May I come too?"