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.Told the village cop I was a secret agent.Heswallowed that at first, and actually helped me break into the station.Andthen he got out a map to find out how far it was to Saxmundham, and pulled outhis Police News with my photograph in it at the same time.I laid him, ofcourse, but I wasn't quite quick enough.Otherwise I might still have gotsomething to take us into Saxmundham -I was just fixing that when the cop tried to earn his medal.""You might have told him the truth," Roger ventured.He expected a storm, but the Saint's answer was perfectly calm."I couldn't risk it, old dear.You see, I'd started off with a lie, and thenI'd called him a blistered boob when I was playing the Secret Service gag-andI'd sized up my man.I reckon I'd have had one chance in a thousand ofconvincing him.He was as keen as knives to get his own back, and his kind ofhead can only hold one idea at a time.And if I had convinced him, it'd havetaken hours, and we'd still have had to get through to Saxmundham; and if I'dfailed-"He left the sentence unfinished.There was no need to finish it.And Roger bit his lip."Even now," said Roger, "we might as well be marooned on a desert island.''Sonia Delmar spoke again."That ambulance," she said."The one they brought me here in --''It was Marius who answered, malevolently from his corner."The ambulance has gone, my dear young lady.It returned to London immediately afterwards."In a dead silence the Saint turned."Then I hope you'll go on enjoying your tri-umph, Angel Face," he said, andthere was a ruthless devil in his voice."Because I swear to you, Rayt Marius,that it's the last you will ever enjoy.Others have killed; but you have soldthe bodies and souls of men.The world is poisoned with every breath youbreath.And I've changed my mind about giving you a fighting chance."The Saint was resting against the door; he had not moved from it since he camein.He rested there quite slackly, quite lazily; but now his gun was in hishand, and he was carefully thumbing down the safety catch.And Roger Conway,who knew what the Saint was going to do, strove to speak casually."I suppose," remarked Roger Conway casually, "you could hardly run thedistance in the time.You used to be pretty useful --"The Saint shook his head.Page 122 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"I'm afraid it's a bit too much," he answered."It isn't as if I couldcollapse artistically at the finish.No, old Roger, I can't do it.Unless Icould grow a pair of wings --""Wings!"It was Sonia Delmar who repeated the word- who almost shouted it-clutching theSaint's sleeve with hands that trembled.But Simon Templar had already started up, and a great light was breaking inhis eyes."God's mercy!" he cried, with a passionate sincerity ringing through thestrangeness of his oath."You've said it, Sonia! And I said it.We'dforgotten Angel Face's aroplane!"CHAPTER FOURTEENHow Roger Conway was left alone,and Simon Templar went to his rewardTHE SAINT'S GUN was back in his pocket; there was a splendid laughter in hiseyes, and a more splendid laughter in his heart.And it was with the samelaughter that he turned again to Marius."After all, Angel Face," he said, "we shall have our fight!"And Marius did not answer."But not now, Saint!" Roger protested in an agony; and Simon swung round withanother laugh and a flourish to go with it."Certainly not now, sweet Roger! That comes afterwards-with the port andcigars.What we're going to do now is jump for that blessed avion.""But where can we land? It must be a hundred miles to Croydon in a straightline.That'll take over an hour-after we've got going-and there's sure to betrouble at the other end --""We don't land, my cherub.At least, not till it's all over.I tell you, I'vegot this job absolutely taped.I'm there!"The Saint's cigarette went spinning across the room, and burst in fiery starsagainst the opposite wall.And he drew Roger and the girl towards him, with ahand on each of their shoulders."Now see here.Roger, you'll come with me, and help me locate and start up thekite.Sonia, I want you to scrounge round and find a couple of helmets and acouple of pairs of goggles.Angel Face's outfit is bound to be around thehouse somewhere, and he's probably got some spares.After that, find meanother nice long coil of rope-I'll bet they've got plenty-and your job'sdone.Lessing,"-he looked across at the millionaire, who had risen to his feetat last-"it's about time you did something for your life.You find some straybits of string, without cutting into the beautiful piece that Sonia's going tofind for me, and amuse yourself splicing large and solid chairs onto Freeman,Hardy, and Willis over in the corner.Then they'll be properly settled to waithere till I come back for them.Is that all clear?"Page 123 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlA chorus of affirmatives answered him."Then we'll go," said the Saint.And he went; but he knew that all that he had ordered would be done.The newmagnificent vitality that had come to him, the dazzling dare-devil delight,was summed up and blazoned to them all in the gay smile with which he leftthem; it swept them up, inspired them, kindled within them the flame of hisown superb rapture; he knew that his spirit stayed with them, to spur them on.Even Lessing.And Roger.And Roger said awkwardly as they turned the corner of the house and wentswiftly over the dark grassland: "Sonia told me more about that cruise whileyou were away, Saint.""Did she now?""I'm sorry I behaved like I did, old boy."Simon chuckled."Did you think I'd stolen her from you, Roger?""Do you want to?" Roger asked evenly.They moved a little way in silence.Then the Saint said: "You see, there's always Pat.""Yes.""I'll tell you something.I think, when she first met me, Sonia fell.I know Idid-God help me- in a kind of way.I still think she's-just great.There's noother word for her.But then, there's no other word for Pat.""No.""More than once, it did occur to me -- But what's the use? There are all kindsof people in this wall-eyed world, and especially all kinds of women.They'rejust made different ways, and you can't alter it.I suppose you'll call thattrite; but I give you my word, Roger, I had to go on that cruise last nightbefore I really understood the saying.And so did Sonia.But I got more out ofit than she did, because it was the sequel that was so frightfully funny, andI don't think she'll ever see the joke.I don't think you will, either; andthat's another reason why --""What was the joke?" Roger asked
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