Ethan Gage Collection # 1 by William Dietrich Read Free Book Online Page B

Hastily, I shouldered the horn, grabbed the rifle, and started to slowly draw it out the wall, fighting the awkward angle.
    I just about had it free when someone grabbed the barrel from the other side.
    I peered through the hole. Facing me was the visage of MadameDurrell, her red hair seemingly electrified, her hideously rouged mouth pursed in triumph. “You think I don’t know your tricks? You owe me two hundred francs!”
    â€œWhich I’m traveling to earn,” I whispered hoarsely. “Please let go my gun, Madame, so I can satisfy my debts.”
    â€œHow, by murdering another? Pay, or I shout for the police!”
    â€œI haven’t murdered anyone, but I still need time to put things to right.”
    â€œStarting with your rent!”
    â€œBe careful, I don’t want to hurt you. The rifle is loaded.” It was a frontier habit acquired from the voyageurs.
    â€œDo you think I’m afraid of the likes of you? This gun is collateral!”
    I pulled, but she tugged back ferociously. “He’s here, come to steal his things!” she shouted. She had a grip like the jaws of a terrier.
    So in desperation I abruptly reversed movement and bulled forward through the hole I’d made in the wall, bursting more boards as I drove through to my own apartment. I landed atop my landlady along with gun, splinters, and wall dust. “Sorry. I wanted to do this quietly.”
    â€œHelp! Rape!”
    I staggered to the window, dragging her as she clung to one leg.
    â€œIt will be the guillotine for you!”
    I looked outside. Talma had disappeared from the muddy yard. A gendarme stood in his place, staring up at me in surprise. Damnation! The police had not been half so efficient when I had once complained to them about a pickpocket.
    So I lurched the other way, Madame Durrell’s attempt to gnaw on my ankle somewhat foiled by her lack of more than a few teeth. The door was locked, its key no doubt in my landlady’s pocket, and I had no time for niceties. I uncapped my horn, primed my pan, pointed, and fired.
    The report was a roar in the room, but at least my landlady let go my leg as the lock shattered. I kicked the door open and plunged into the hallway. A hooded figure on the stairs blocked my way, armed with a snake-headed staff, his eyes startled from the gunshot. The lantern bearer! Smoke hung in the landing’s air.
    There was a click, and a fine sword point emerged from the snake’s head. “Give it up and I let you go,” he whispered.
    I hesitated, my gun empty. My opponent had the skilled stance of a pikeman.
    Then something flew out of the darkness below and banged off the lantern bearer’s head, staggering him. I charged, using the barrel of my rifle like a bayonet to thrust against his sternum, knocking his wind out. He lurched and tumbled down the stairs. I clattered after, vaulted his sprawled body, and stumbled outside, colliding with Talma.
    â€œAre you mad?” my friend asked. “Police are coming from every direction!”
    â€œBut I got it,” I said with a grin. “What the devil did you hit him with?”
    â€œA potato.”
    â€œSo they’re good for something after all.”
    â€œStop them!” Madame Durrell was shouting from a streetside window. “He tried to have his way with me!”
    Talma looked up. “I hope your gun was worth that.”
    Then we were flying down the street. Another gendarme appeared at the end of the lane, so Talma jerked me into the doorway of an inn. “Another lodge,” he whispered. “I sensed we might need this.” We burst inside and quickly pulled the proprietor into the shadows. A quick Masonic handshake and Talma pointed to a door leading to the cellar. “The order’s urgent business, friend.”
    â€œIs he a Freemason too?” The innkeeper pointed at me.
    â€œHe tries.”
    The innkeeper followed us down, locking the door behind