The Iron Grip Read Online

The big man unlocked the safe and took out a bundle of notes.

    "How much have you lost, you dirty little pup?" he asked.

    Smack! It was the back of Jack's hand across the big man's face, and the woman shrieked.

    "With men like you," said Jack, "it seems to me that only brutality counts."

    Mr. Boolby paid.

    "Well, Captain Bryce, I didn't expect to send for you so soon, but I think we have another Job which you can carry through for us?"

    Mr. James Hemmer, of the firm of Hemmer & Hemmer, shook hands with the tall young man who had come into his office, and motioned him to a chair. "Were you satisfied with the fee for the Down Under case?"

    "Perfectly," replied Jack gratefully. "I really didn't expect anything like that sum, "Mr. Hemmer—"

    Mr. Hemmer stopped him with a gesture. "It was well worth the money to get that young man out of the clutches of such scheming rascals," he said, and looked at Jack admiringly.

    There was a tap at the door, and a cleric came in, and, leaning over the table, whispered to the lawyer. Mr. Hemmer nodded.

    "I have an appointment just now," he said, looking at Jack Bryce. "Do you mind waiting in the outer office?"

    Jack Bryce made his exit and, taking the chair which the clerk put for him, waited. When he went back to the outer office he found a frail old lady waiting, and, as she was immediately taken into Mr. Hemmer's office, he gathered that she was the client who had interrupted his interview.

    The door had closed, and he was speculating upon what manner of business such an old person might have to conduct when the door of the outer office was flung open violently, and a man stalked in. He was tall and broad, florid of face, perfectly dressed, and carried himself with such an air of assurance that Jack, who was quick in his likes and dislikes, marked him down unfavourably.

    "Tell Mr. Hemmer I am here," he said loudly to the clerk, and without so much as glancing at Jack he seated himself, opened a newspaper, and began to read.

    The clerk came back from the lawyer's office and beckoned him forward, and he strode through the door and closed it behind him.

    "That's a nice gentleman—I don't think," remarked the clerk, and Jack smiled.

    From the inner office came the sound of the visitor's voice. It was loud and strident, and held a note of defiance. He seemed to be the only one speaking, but Jack guessed that that was because his voice was louder, and drowned all other conversation.

    Presently the door of the office opened, and he flounced out, followed by the lawyer. "I assure you, my dear Mr. Benson—" began Hemmer.

    "Don't dear Mr. Benson me, please," said the other savagely. "I tell you that all the darned lawyers in the world, and all the darned old women in the world, will not stop me from marrying whom I choose. This is an affair which concerns Miss Colebrook and myself. She is of age, and can do as she wishes."

    Hemmer was obviously nettled. K "That is just what I suggest she is not doing," he retorted with asperity. "She is a foolish girl, led away by her enthusiasm. She is without experience of the world, and she has simply taken the first plausible man who has come along."

    Mr. Benson swung round. "If you insult me," he shouted, "whether you're a lawyer or not a lawyer, you know what I'll do to you!"

    Mr. Hemmer, in spite of his self-possession, went a shade paler, and, observing this, Benson turned with a laugh, and walked out of the office, slamming the door behind him.