"Quite safe," he answered, without an instant's hesitation. "I know them both. This fellow has been four times in jailthe first time was seventeen years agohe got fourteen months for burglary; the second time was thirteen years ago, for attempted murder, when he got five years; the third was eleven years ago; the fourth was nine years back. He's got half a dozen aliases or more, and your manlet me see, yes, he's been once in jail: ten years for forgery, went in when he was eighteen and not been out above three years. It's safe to let them goquite safethey've spoken straight this time, couldn't help themselves."
While Albeury was speaking I had seen the men gasp. They were staring at him now with a look of abject terror. But still I held my man.
"I don't like to risk it," I expostulated. "The whole tale may be a plant."
"It's not, Mr. Berrington. I tell you they're straight this time, they've got to be to save their skins. I could put the 'Yard' on to them right awaybut it wouldn't serve our purpose, the gang would then escape."
His revolver still covered the elder man's chest.
"Hand out your gun," he said sharply, "and empty out your pocketsboth of you."
Soon everything the men's pockets had contained lay upon the floor. Among the things were three pistols, two "jemmies," some curious little bottles, and some queer-looking implements I couldn't guess the use of. Just then a thought occurred to me.
"But they'd have robbed this flat," I said, "if what they say is true."
"You are mistaken," Albeury answered. "They didn't come for robbery, but on a more serious errandto put an end to you. I know the methods of this gang pretty well, I can assure you. You would have been found dead, and your man dead too most likely, and the circumstances attending your death would all have pointed to suicide, or perhaps to accidental death. But we've not much time to spare. Come."
He turned to the men.