I've heard him
moving around. I'll bet he's got a peephole in the wall." Branch
was visibly excited.
"Quite likely. I have the same kind of a neighbor; that is he
watching us now."
Leslie cast a hostile eye at the man his friend indicated. "Looks
like a miserable spy, doesn't he? But, say, how am I going to make
away with that letter?"
"I'm trying to think," said Johnnie. After a time he rose from the
table and the two strolled out. Johnnie was still thinking.
When the two arrived at Branch's quarters O'Reilly scrutinized the
room as closely as he dared, and then sat for some time idly
gossiping. Both men were under a considerable strain, for they
thought it more than likely that hostile eyes were upon them. It
gave them an uncomfortable thrill; and while it seemed a simple
thing to burn that letter of introduction, they realized that if
their suspicions were correct such a procedure would only serve to
deepen their difficulties. Nothing they could later say would
explain to the satisfaction of the authorities so questionable an
act. The mere destruction of a mysterious document, particularly
at this late hour, would look altogether too queer; it might
easily cause their complete undoing. Inasmuch as his enemies were
waiting only for an excuse to be rid of him, O'Reilly knew that
deportation was the least he could expect, and at the thought his
fingers itched to hold that letter over the lamp-chimney.
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