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At last he knew for sure who he was hunting The ue with the Chinese, probably with their boss, as likely the man who ordered the redhead to kill Scully when the detective uncovered the Chinatown connection

At last he held the advantage They did not know that Bell knew

“Misser Bell?”

Bell looked up froun barrel

39

LOUIS, I THOUGHT WE AGREED THAT YOU WOULD KEEP that in your suitcase”

Harold was behind Louis, drawing a weapon from his coat

“You disappoint me, too, Harold That is not a Bible Not even a traditional tong hatchet but a firear would be proud to carry”

Louis’s English was suddenly accentless, his manner superior

“Step to the edge of the platform, Mr Bell, and turn your back to us Do not draw the pistol you conceal in your shoulder holster Do not try for the derringer in your hat Do not consider reaching for the knife in your boot”

Bell glanced past theh the vestibule door At the front of the coach, the false Arnold Bennett was holding forth with broad gestures that were having his desired effect of distracting the few people in the car The wheels were clattering too loudly for Bell to hear their laughter

“You’re unusually observant of sidearms for a divinity student, Louis But have you considered that witnesses will hear you shoot me?”

“We’ll shoot you if you force us to Then ill shoot the witnesses I’olians have no regard for human life Turn around!”

Bell looked over his shoulder The railing was low The roadbed was disappearing behind the train at fifty miles an hour, a blur of steel rails, iron spikes, stone ballast, and wooden ties When he turned, they would crack his skull with a gun barrel or plunge a knife in his back and du

He opened his hand