SV - 05 - Sergeant Verity and the Swell Mob. Read Free Page A

prisoners to
attention on the governor's approach. The footsteps seemed to halt outside his
own door. But it was the condemned cell next to his which was opened. He heard
the governor's voice reading a document to the convicted man.
    'James
Jacob Fowler, your case has received Her Majesty's most gracious consideration.
However, the circumstances of your crime utterly preclude the possibility of
mercy being extended to so hardened a criminal. You are therefore ordered for
execution in fourteen days from the present, by Her Majesty's gracious
command.'
    There was a pause as the
condemned man recovered his composure, and then a roar from him as the warders
slammed the door shut.
    'She can kiss my
bloody bum, blast her eyes!'
    It was
less than ten minutes after this when two warders opened the door of Stunning
Joe's cell.
    'O'Meara!
Consulting room! Quick-sharp!
    Old Mole had got him a counsel
for the trial! He followed the passageway with the warders beside him, his
heart pounding at the thought that he had not been abandoned after all. As each
iron gate was unlocked, its keeper shouted, 'One off!' when Joe left the near
side, and then 'One on!' when he entered the next area of the prison.
    The
consulting room was at the centre of the administration buildings in an area
of double pillars and vaults, like a cathedral crypt. The little room itself
almost resembled a private chapel, with low walls to waist height and glass
above. The warders could watch the lawyer and his client without hearing what
passed between them.
    There
was a table in the room and a painted line about three feet in front of it.
    'Stand on the
line, prisoner!'
    Stunning
Joe obeyed. The warders stepped outside, watching through the glass, and the man
who sat at the table looked up.
    'It
won't do, Joseph,' said Sergeant Samson sadly. 'It really won't do at all.'
    'You stinking jack! You got no
right coming here! I want a brief!'
    He
started forward to the table and the warders stepped to the door. But Samson
waved them away.
    'You couldn't have a better
brief than me, Joseph. I'm the only one left who could say a good word.'
    'Much chance!'
    'You
think I come about that trick of the Shah Jehan clasp? So I have. I want to
know, Joseph. I do. But I never come empty-handed. I got a present for you. The
name of the party who gave your game away.'
    Stunning
Joe swallowed and the little eyes fastened expectantly on Samson.
    'You were bouncing
a little trollop called Vicki Hartle,' said Samson cheerily. 'Cigar divan and
oriental massage, off Haymarket. After you went down Sussex way, Miss Vicki
prigged a toffs watch and notecase. Turned out to be Inspector Garvey, over
"C" Division. Anyway, Vicki being lined up for a real smacking from
the beak, she lays out the goods on you at Wannock Hundred. Garvey let her go.'
    'She never!'
    'I got no cause to
lie to you, Joseph, 'ow else d'you think I happened to be there?' 'The damned
bitch!'
    'Yes,
Joseph. Now, in course, you'll want Vicki Hartle's hide off her. If we was to
find that heathen clasp before your trial came on, why you might be able to
knock Miss Vicki one side of Haymarket to t'other in seven years. P’raps five.
But if you will be obstinate, my son. I'd say that little whore won't get her
licks for another fifteen years.'
    'I never seen any bloody clasp, Mr Samson!'
    'Then
tell us who might have done, 'oo put you up to it, Joe?'
    But now they were
back to the rules of a game which O'Meara knew well. 'I can't say no more, Mr
Samson, nor I won't.' Samson released a long breath.
    'All right, Joseph. Let it be.
Any last words for Vicki Hartle, then? 'ere, they reckon Mr Garvey was prodding
her when she took his things! Still, you know what minds them jacks down
"C Division got!'
    As
Stunning Joe lunged vainly at his tormentor, the warders threw open the door
and dragged him away. Alone in his cell, he wept with the misery of his plight.
    Sergeant Samson
predicted the outcome well. One morning in the following week,