Free Magician's Fire by Simon Nicholson Page B

and the shouts of the driver as the cart trundled away.
    He ignored the potato peelings on his jacket and the sludge dripping from his hair as he stumbled off down the alley, slanting left, weaving right until the Hotel Crosby was far behind. Stopping by a water pump, he worked the handle up and down, rinsing himself off. Then he hurried on through more alleys, more streets, until he arrived at the sidewalk corner where his friends were waiting, as had been agreed.
    â€œBillie? Arthur? It’s me!”
    They didn’t look up. They seemed deep in conversation. Billie was talking at high speed, waving her hands in the air, and Arthur was busily making notes on a little pad. What are they doing? Harry walked right up to Billie and tugged her sleeve.
    â€œThe plan worked great. Thanks, you two.” Harry knelt and picked up his shoeshine box, which Billie had kept safe for him. “Boris Zell, that’s his full name, and he’s staying in Room 760. And I found something else out too—it’s serious.”
    Something was up with them. Billie had crossed her arms again, and Arthur was avoiding Harry’s eye. But, at the same time, they couldn’t help being interested in what he was saying, and the more the story flew out of him, the more interested they looked, particularly when he tugged the telegram from his pocket.
    â€œSo Herbie has been kidnapped?” Arthur pored over the telegram. “But that’s terrible!”
    â€œI’m trying to think of another explanation, Artie.” Billie inspected the paper and handed it back to Harry. “But what Harry says adds up, unfortunately.”
    â€œWe should tell the police.” Arthur frowned. “Herbie could be in real danger—”
    â€œIt’s not that easy!” Harry had already thought this through. “Who’s going to believe us? Three kids, and all we’ve got is this telegram. They’re not going to arrest Zell just because of that. The most they’ll do is ask him a few questions, and then he’ll know he’s in danger. He’ll check out of Hotel Crosby and vanish, simple as that. How are we going to help Herbie then? No, we need to get into Zell’s room and get more proof. Then the police will have to believe us.”
    He watched his friends. After a while, the two of them nodded, although Billie also wrinkled her nose.
    â€œWhat’s that smell?” Her eyes fixed on a potato peeling still on Harry’s sleeve.
    â€œI noticed it too.” Trying to hide a smile, Arthur took a couple of steps back from Harry. “Pretty nasty.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter.” Harry brushed the peeling off. “I was just getting to that part when I had to make a run for it and—”
    â€œYou were seen?” Billie looked straight at him. “Right, we’re definitely taking charge now!”
    â€œWhat? Why?”
    â€œYou can’t go back in there! Doesn’t matter if you walk, sneak, or crawl, they’ll be looking out for you.”
    â€œShe’s right, Harry.” Arthur shrugged. “If they saw you, they’ll know your face. You’ll never get in, distraction or no distraction—”
    â€œâ€™Course I’m right!” Billie was pacing. “The Atlantic City Laundry Caper, Artie! That settles it.”
    The Atlantic City Laundry Caper. What was she talking about? No time for Billie’s stories , thought Harry, spinning around. Apart from anything else, he was too busy thinking about something else Billie had said. She was right—it was going to be very hard to get back into the Hotel Crosby now that he had been seen—and that was extremely serious, as far as their plan was concerned. Harry ran across the street and hopped on top of a fire hydrant, nibbling a fingernail as he did so. For Herbie’s sake, he had to get back in—but how? He peered up at the tall, dark shape of the hotel, a few streets