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Bell surged to his feet and rushed the Acrobat in a burst of fluid motion

Semmler raised a Webley automatic pistol and leveled it at Bell’s chest “I load hollow-point455s I’m told that your friend Abbott will never fully recover from his encounter with a ‘manstopper’”

Bell stopped, reluctantly

“We will leave the building,” Semmler said “Walk ahead of me Lead the way downstairs”

Bell had no choice but to do as the Acrobat demanded But at least with every step down the stairs, he was drawing Sehts to the lobby and another to the cellar Semmler indicated the narrow hall and switched positions when they reached the ladder to the trapdoor

“I’ll go first,” he said, backing agilely up the ladder, covering Bell until, crouched under the life net, he beckoned with the Webley for Bell to come up next

When the detective climbed out, Semmler said, “Feel around at the foot of the wall There’s some loose bricks Pick one up”

Bell stepped from under the canvas life net and two paces to the wall of the building, crouched down and felt in the dark until he found a brick Glad of another weapon, he stood with it in his left hand His right was reserved for his throwing knife, which he would draw from his boot the instant he saw a chance

Semmler said, “Your interference ruined years ofIt cost me time and treasure and dimmed my star Promises made to my kaiser, my army, and my family have all been broken I will redee Pictures in hand But it did not have to take so long”

He gestured with his pistol “Before you get any silly ideas about braining h that ”

Bell raised the brick, watching Sens of the split second of distraction he needed to go for his knife But Se closely and with sublime confidence in his mastery of the situation Bell tried another tack “Meticulous planning for what? I am mystified What is it you want?”

“I want to save Ger fools Throw the brick”

Bell tried again “What—”

Seun at Bell’s chest “Throw the brick or convalesce with Abbott”