Chapter 55

“We doesn’t has ta deal wi’ that dope Tope, does we?”

“Tope is just a muscle man. It is quite obvious he has no brains. If he gives you any trouble, let me know, but feel free to use his muscle in any way you deem fit.”

I said, “Then our first job is to get the necklace and see that it gets into your hands. Do you think you would like to be there when it is turned over to us?”

“Will my presence be necessary?”

“Well,” Blathers reasoned, “if’n you’re on the scene, ya can be sure nothing will happen ’tween the time we gets the jewels and the time ya gets them.” We were counting on the probability that Wesley still did not trust us. “Ya might even bring along them gorillas. We mights be able ta use them, but I doesn’t wants them round ’less ya’s there ta control them.”

“How will I know when you will be obtaining the necklace?”

I explained, “We’ll let you know in plenty of time. You and Tope and the other fellow just wait until you hear from us. It should be tomorrow some time.”

“I’ll be there. Do you know where the location will be?”

“We’re quite sure it will be in Spitalfields. There is a house there we know of as a safe house. We think the other party will be willing to meet us at this location. We’ll send a messenger with the time and place as soon as we have it all set.”

“There is another person involved, then?”

“Oh, yes! He is quite willing to work with us, but he needs to be careful. He is a wanted man in several places. And we have heard there’s a grand reward for his capture, dead or alive. He must believe he will be safe, or he will not dare to come.”

“One other thing,” Blathers added, “It might be wise ta has Tope and his mate comes in’t the house ’head o’ ya. That way we has the ability ta show the other feller he hasn’t ta fear, and he won’t back out on us, do ya see.”

Wesley snickered. “I thought you were afraid of Tope.”

“We isn’t ’fraid o’ nobody. Tope and the other goon is just stupid, that’s all. Wi’ ya on the scene, we is sure they won’t do any o’ their dumb tricks. If’n I was ya, I’d take them guns away so’s they doesn’t accidentally shoot a body.”