Elk 01 The Fellowship of the Frog Read Online Free

being surrounded before he came in? He knows everything, does the Frog.” He looked down at the other’s hand.
    “It won’t hurt,” he said, “and it’s worth it if it does! You’ll never be without a friend again, Harry. If you get into trouble, there’s always the best lawyer to defend you. And you’re the kind of chap we’re looking for—there is plenty of trash. Poor fools that want to get in for the sake of the pickings. But you’ll get big work, and if you do a special job for him, there’s hundreds and hundreds of money for you If you’re hungry or ill, the Frogs will find you out and help you. That’s pretty good, ain’t it?”
    Genter said nothing. They were within a dozen yards of the hut now, a strong structure built of stout timber bulks, with one door and a shuttered window.
    Motioning Genter to remain where he was, the man called Carlo went forward arid tapped on the door. Genter heard a voice, and then he saw the man step to the window, and the shutter open an inch. There followed a long conversation in an undertone, and then Carlo came back.
    “He says he has a job for you that will bring in a thousand—you’re lucky! Do you know Rochmore?”
    Genter nodded. He knew that aristocratic suburb.
    “There’s a man there that has got to be coshed. He comes home from his club every night by the eleven-five. Walks to his house. It is up a dark road, and a fellow could get him with a club without trouble. Just one smack and he’s finished. It’s not killing, you understand.”
    “Why does he want me to do it?” asked the tall tramp curiously.
    The explanation was logical.
    “All new fellows have to do something to show their pluck and straightness. What do you say?”
    Genter had not hesitated. “I’ll do it,” he said.
    Carlo returned to the window, and presently he called his companion.
    “Stand here and put your left arm through the window,” he ordered.
    Genter pulled back the cuff of his soddened coat and thrust his bare arm through the opening. His hand was caught in a firm grip, and immediately he felt something soft and wet pressed against his wrist. A rubber stamp, he noted mentally, and braced himself for the pain which would follow. It came, the rapid pricking of a thousand needles, and he winced. Then the grip on his hand relaxed and he withdrew it, to look wonderingly on the blurred design of ink and blood that the tattooer had left.
    “Don’t wipe it,” said a muffled voice from the darkness of the hut. “Now you may come in.”
    The shutter closed and was bolted. Then came the snick of a lock turning and the door opened. Genter went into the pitch-black darkness of the hut and heard the door locked by the unseen occupant.
    “Your number is K 971,” said the hollow voice. “When you see that in the personal column of The Times, you report here, wherever you are. Take that…”
    Genter put out his hand and an envelope was placed in his outstretched palm. It was as though the mysterious Frog could see, even in that blackness.
    “There is journey money and a map of the district. If you spend the journey money, or if you fail to come when you are wanted, you will be killed. Is that clear?”
    “Yes.”
    “You will find other money—that you can use for your expenses. Now listen. At Rochmore, 17 Park Avenue, lives Hallwell Jones, the banker—”
    He must have sensed the start of surprise which the recruit gave.
    “You know him?”
    “Yes—worked for him years ago,” said Genter. Stealthily, he drew his Browning from his pocket and thumbed down the safety catch.
    “Between now and Friday he has to be clubbed. You need not kill him. If you do, it doesn’t matter. I expect his head’s too hard—”
    Genter located the man now, and, growing accustomed to the darkness, guessed rather than saw the bulk of him. Suddenly his hand shot out and grasped the arm of the Frog.
    “I’ve got a gun and I’ll shoot,” he said between his teeth. “I want you, Frog! I am