More Deadly Than The Male by James Hadley Chase Read Free Book Online Page B

never bothered George. He put the cartridges back in the box, and carried it to its hiding-place among his shirts. Then he went to the cupboard over his washstand and took from it a bottle of milk and an opened tin of sardines.

    "Come on, Leo," he called, holding up the tin for the cat to see.

    Leo was at his side in a bound, and began twining its great, heavy body round his legs.

    George put the tin down on a sheet of newspaper and filled his soap dish with milk

    "There you are, old son," he said, his face softening with pleasure. "Now I'll go out and get my supper."

    Out in the street, the rain was cold on his face and the wind beat against him. As he hurried along, he felt the urge to sing or shout for no reason at all except that driving rain and a boisterous wind gave him a feeling of freedom.

    The saloon bar of the King's Arms was almost deserted. It was early yet—not quite a quarter to seven—and only three of the usual habitués had braved the weather. George hung up his hat and mack, and went to his favourite corner.

    "Hello," Gladys said, smiling. " 'Ere we are again."

    "That's right," George said, sitting on a stool and looking at the cold meats, pickles and howls of salad and beetroot with a hungry eye. "Nasty night, isn't it?"

    "Wretched," Gladys agreed. "I've got some nice cold pork if you fancy it, or some beef."

    George said he thought he'd try the pork.

    "That was the bloke with the scar you were talking about, wasn't it?" he asked as she cut him a liberal helping.

    "That's 'Im," Gladys said darkly. "I was sorry to see you going off with 'in. Mark my words, 'e's a had 'un. I know a had 'un when I see 'im."

    "He's working for Robinson," George said, feeling that he should excuse himself. "Can't say I like him myself."

    "I should think not indeed," Gladys said firmly. "You watch out. A fellow like that could get you into trouble quicker than wink "

    "Oh, I don't know about that," George said a little crossly. Did she take him for a child? "I can look after myself all right."

    "I'm glad to hear it," Gladys returned, as if she didn't believe him She set the plate before him, gave him a roll and butter and a pint of mild and bitter, and then hurried off to serve another customer.

    George was quite content to keep in his corner, away from the main bar, and eat his supper, read the evening paper and watch Gladys cope with the bustling activity. The bar was filling up now, and the atmosphere became damp and steamy. 

    No one paid George any attention. Mr Henry came in and nodded absently to him, but immediately looked away, as if he were nervous that George would wish to join him. Other h abitués came in. They also nodded to George, but it was a disinterested greeting more from habit than anything else.

    His meal finished, George lit a cigarette, pushed his tankard forward so that Gladys, when she had a moment, could see that he wanted it filled, and settled down to the crossword puzzle. The warm, damp atmosphere, the buzz of conversation, the click of billiard halls in the next room, soothed him. It was, he thought, the nicest, most homely atmosphere a man could wish to be in.

    At nine-thirty he called for his last pint. One for the road, he told himself. He was pleasantly sleepy, and he looked forward to stretching out in bed. Perhaps Leo would keep him company. Tomorrow still seemed a long way off, and George decided that perhaps, after all, life wasn't so had.

    A hand reached out and touched his arm. George started, and peered at Sydney Brant, at first in blank surprise, then in embarrassed confusion. He felt blood rising to his face, and he nearly upset his beer.

    Brant wore no overcoat; his threadbare jacket and worn trousers were black with rain.

    "Hello," George said awkwardly. "You gave me quite a start. What are you doing here?"

    Brant leaned up against the counter.

    "I'm looking for you," he said. "I thought you'd be here."

    " Well, you only just caught me," George said