:...,._~»

PAGlLT.:'Y.9

“You. at last! I'd about gi ’I‘.bey were‘ pretty cagey we

the chief knows it. too!"

The night club was one of the

sire. It had re- cently opened That accounted for the dancers being able to catch on there. Splane explained. late in the

season. “We've got some smart boys sta.- th

“fly-by-night" all"

tioned near where this pair live

now. It's quite a place. they tell

me. They’ii be waiting at the cor-

near drug store. If he's the man, they'll ‘go to town‘ on their rooms.

If he's the man. I want that brace-

ti

'1'hey reached the “Green Tree" about 9 o'clock. Just in time for the first dinner show. Roerden's tip got them a ringside table.

“Suppose I can't tell. Suppose I'm not sure!" Alison was suddenly in a. panic.

“You've got to be sure!" splane‘s voice was harsh.

The waiter brought them food, but Alison did not know what they were eating.

“O! course, the real test comes after we get this bird, if he's the man." Splane said to Roerden. “You know. of course. I'm bluffing. I haven't one scrap of evldence—- not for murderi Alison has got me into this.”

The girl's face was white, but

she tried to keep smiling. Finally vote

the master of ceremonies stepped out into the middle of the floor. The band did a ianiare. The lights went low. The snow was on.

“I'd know him -— if I could hear‘

him speak. It I could talk to

nIm———‘

"Well. we'll arrange that," Recr- den said. He looked down at Ali- son's small clenched hands. She wore no rings.

“Hem, put this on," and he handed her the beautiful star apphlre. set in platinum. from his little finger.

“If. win he comes and sits at the table lth us. and you‘re sure. take the off and put it on again."

The Dancers Finally the master of ceremonies,

with loud accompaniment from the orchestra. announced the dancers.

They glided into the spotlight,

those two. a tall, sleek-haired man

in a white mess jacket. and navy

blue trousers, I3. blonde girl in a

ﬁlmy

bl _ frock. At first Alison could not see

them. It was like buck fever and

~ her eyes seemed to have a film over them. As the two whirled and pivoted, the girl clenched her hands and tried to remember. Recr- den ordered champagne. several bottles. There were two waiters for their table now. And. the manager came over to see if everything was gll right.

"I can’t be sure. I can't be sure. What about his hair?" Alison whis- pered to Splane.

"Vi{aitl Wait until you talk to

Finally they finished

. As the lights went up Splane motioned to the manager. “I liked their danc- ing. She‘s a swell number. Wish they'd both join us for some cham-

pagne.”

The manager. all smiles. went to see the “Dancing Downeys ' as they

were billed.

“It worked ," Splane said softly. For from back of the orchestra, the couple were emerging. The man seemed to be arguing, but the man- ager apparently was firm. They

were coming.

Spla.ne made careless introduc- IARDY

tions and they sat down.

went to work on the champagne. Alison saw his eyes were bloodshot. There was a. lot of small conversa- tion. LeRIo talked easily but his eyes were no ive. He drank steadily.

"We've just opened here. We’re from Chicago." he volunteered. "We were lucky to get t’hi-s place at this

time in the season

“Your dancing is charming." Ali- son managed. t club

It seemed like any gay n arty of casual

we hortlv the manager came over to them again. Bplane urged him to

join them.

"Just for a minute. I'll take ust. one drink. Never take much w en

1 am working. Bed policy”

There was talk about. business. about shows. Alison's hands were

ice cold.

“Say, Jim wants to talk to you about music (or that "Blue Mood ggmtber," the manager said to Le

y. "I'll be ready when he is."

Voice Recognized

Alison had a sinking sensation. she knew then. she knew she had heard that man say almost those

same words — in a ship on

night of June 13. she was sure. sure enough ta send him to the chair if

that. y she slipped oi! the star gap ire and put it back on again. Bpia.ne's eyes were like pin pointel."

“What. a gorgeous star sapphire the dancing girl said. "Yes. isn't it?"

That is a bean ins!"

lane thought

eu denly he seemed to feel some-

WBIB WYQHB.

th mhét. awny, although Roerdern had ordered

S-KYWAY. "By VERA snows

ven up. they didn' dare leave town with- out unloading that bracelet. Afraid they'd run short of money. so they got a job out in this place. changed their names. Radrnan is a smart operator. He turned the trick and

Lrom behind the sun. went. a little more conversation with

Alison ‘ tch h handwcrossth table ‘uethaéiirreﬂcomd no the beiutiiul "1 love b1¢ea'wels," the girl continued. "some day I’n'1'f’(‘lnlng1b0 have some.

LOVERS .

[ When the champagne was gone lets.

.ho.too Baeodviortholald

and he had made the telephone

to Brooklyn. “it won't be long now. Get the Roerden. I'll go and egpeak

check. to Jim. He'll know the iayou

ltoerden and Alison. left. alone. ther “Heathe

started at each 0 . man. Mr. Reerden. 1'd stake my life on kg, the height. the build—every-

way too. side entrance.

"Their dressing room is here to

the right," he said "Alison.

go and stay in the car,"

Splane ordered

"I Want toncdme. I'd die to be left

behind now.

splane was too intent to argue

with her.

“Quiet, everybody!" Splane o ned the screen door

and waike into the dim hallway. Jim motioned toward the dressing room on the left. Then S9131“?

knocked sharply.

CHAPTE IXXIII Splane knocked a second tinrité.

Finally a mans voice answered . “who's there?"

“Some friends to say hello." “We're not dressed.’ It°was Lltels

e. Without another word spiane

wrenched open the door, LeRoy stood there, his back to Splane. In his hands was a brush. he W9-3 smootihng his shiny paient— leather hair. The girl was sitting before her dressing table, her kimono hus- ged about her.

Both of them saw Splane and his

gun in the mirror of the dressing tame. Leftoy whirled about.

“Keep em up.’ SD13“? Smued ‘ just

you...

Neither of them answered and !_.lt,9.'s eyes were desperate. Now both Jim and splane had them cov-

ered. “Get into some clothes, lvlrs. Le-

no _ we‘re going into town.

ere was silence. no denial. «who are you?" The girl's breath

came fast so the heaving of her chest seemed pein

t.‘u.l. “We're detectives." splane showed

his bad . “It. isgeust more conversation we . crave, only this time there won't be ham ne.' anfyiogody pangroved. sglane could hear vo‘.3es outside, in t e corridor.

“Get movin '

Lita. walktged toward a screen at one side of the room. “Go with herl” it was an order

to Allison. ‘Alison walked over to Lila. she

went behind the screen as the 8111 got into a frock. she came out two

hat over her blonde hair. Sud- denly she seemed very old. Alison felt sorry for her.

"Now, here we go. You with me. Lenny. Jim. take the girl. CUBIC

om.

Theeg did not protest. The? walk out quietly, and only a couple of waiters saw the party stepping out the -back door. At the car Roerden took the wheel and

two men put their prisoners in the back seat.

On that long ride into town All- son could hear splane talking to them. but she could not hear what he said. Roerden stepped on it. They made excellent time.

Bluff

Finally they . " -1 headquar- ters and went directly to the offices of the homicide squad where Alison had gone that day North had been brought in. The two were taken to separate rooms. but not until I.eRIoy had murmured in L1ta.'s ear: "Kee your mouth shut!" That was a . Spoken so low even 5 lane was not sure he had heard rig t.

Jim and another detective re-

was determined to work ‘on the

L By this time she was almost

a state or collapse.

“We'll lose our jobs!‘ '

"Probably. II that’: all Ieltoy

loses. he'll be lucky!"

But splane was waiting. playing

a cunning game. The minutes

ticked by. many got more and

more nervous. He smoked endless

gﬁrettes. He tried to get Jim to to him. but Jim was uncom-

municative.

"Can't_ I call the club? It means

my

‘Well ﬂx that if things are all r ht," Jim promised. He smiled a lit e as he imagined the manager's rage when he found his dancers of the evening vanished almost into thin air.

Knowing Leltoy was drinking. t-herd think he was drunk. has just. bolted. Splane's idea of the “third degree." Waiting! It was almost, as hard on Alison. she finally cor- nered splane. "What is it?"

“Part of the bluff. Besides, I want to have that bracelet before Iﬁart onlhlmﬂne 1 is

W88 on a rmdn ht when I-eRov was ruught into the clue: homicide office. His collar wu wilted and he was obviously trying °°~.s.7",:.*".t.::“.":*"...- .. ,....

a manegeratl; t P

Certain no . Pm not accus. ‘a‘%'«i‘i‘3‘I‘n.§°.oo.."°""..lé‘.“§:“ ‘.’.“‘..°‘ ‘ lioﬂeyheadﬂgggen far n%intg." po-

-' OI! ’ work

9 13?" °“ u'° “*9” °‘

wesnotso tobe . ins easy Thedd

"$71: 119 who ll£“1o1' youlre?l'r?" t 1”" you '0 ﬂame hut’ many.’-

'BIook tagdny nldhta the flight of June

tbered serous ““.$?.fei““"’°‘i‘i'..'”‘.. was . silent. u G

“You know. when 1‘ always, look there nrst. den

I'll listening," Iaoﬁﬂy

“A11 rich?» I'll talk. ‘d been with Adele Y”: mostayeu-. Youhelped her-‘to money. >319 she came on about the letter‘: wrenee Weston. and you saw I

some “'1-Ie sent her some.

Spiane had already signaled Jciﬂi "

.__________ Use Millard’: for Dnndrnﬂ

mine asked me to keep th him. Lita knows nothing about .

OUT OUR WAY oua BOARDING HOUSE. A

-— With _ Maiorjgm

SAVIVOU FAT ‘ HEAD; ‘IOU NEARLV KNOCKED MV BRAINS OUT WITH THAT

I I. HEAR won MAuAaED'Iu WADDLETO THE CITY LIMrrs on YOUR own POWER BEFORE

. FOLDING up LIME APUMCFURED IsAeI>II:e.' HAW-HAW! saME oI= ‘THE NEIGHBORS am: ~~/ou HAD A tsI=oKEI~I LE6.‘ BUT I wm ‘THREE BUCKS BETTIN‘ THAT I: You WERE

cI2II=pLEo rr WOULDN'T so-Iow ‘ aEc:AusE You owl-r sEE

A LAME BRAIN CELL-~

WELL.MOVE THAT CROCK OF CLABBER OUT OF TH’ WA‘/., IT cosrs MONE‘/»TO MOVE ‘rs-us ans CRANE 4

V‘ ‘ ;\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\v.

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' gfR.wILLIAM§

cont. 193! IV Mn um/pg; mg;

THE LONG ARM

BRINGING UP FATHER

coNeIzATuLA-nous. IIooI=LE!/ I EeAD.sAx'1EIz!1wAs WAWAR aAMaLIuIs WAS ONE oI= Maui}; — -I ~3¢7MANY ACCOMPLISHMEMT5 am‘- i 1. _PRE6|JME one aI.EsL-.39 - WI‘rH.YouR EXQUISITE seusa . OF HUMOR Enarows A KEEN ‘n-IRILI. PR5‘/iN&_UPON -ms , NEIGHBORS! vou MU$T I=Iub ‘T DIJLL DAQ W"-H ONLY OCCASIONAL MINOR 'l’RAﬁEDlE5 IN THE NEV\5PA|:>Eg 5'-IT 1 SUPPOSE ‘(OU AN‘nc|pA A PI.EAs».rr DA‘(’UULY Hm

READING OF 'rIzAFI=Ic AND FIREWORKS ACCIDENTS’

DRAT IT! How CAN ‘I. GET EVEN Wm-I ‘IHAT

Aevs/ML, PEST _?

\ \ r ‘-2! ‘ “-\\\\‘

‘ “ \\\_\\\\\\\\\\

A 3)’ George McManut*

f I'M 50l2|2Y- BUT’ I'M ' OF AGE -I'LL CH MY i2|

M F EN EEK?/ASE‘ E?Xls'.3‘%"T MY HAIR |2E$$Ei2g-

l~lOi'2A—\rOU MUST STAY IN-

LOQD WOi2‘l'HNOTTE'N'5 sou Is COMING

TO vusrr us-—

LOED WORTH eggxea uNE'3‘<?:EE‘$“é"5 5°” ~ I5 FATHER CALLED UP SAID HE IS BRINGI SON OVER

F‘-NE’ t HOPE

HE IS A FINE CHAP-

aoo- -ISN'T rr '1'‘ ,

TI-Mtr HILDREN won TAKE . ADVICE

5

motioned Alison in beside him. The .

rue: SHIP HAVE ‘- SHOWER BATHS, I>oI>I=_~/Ez

LIssEN,oLIvE, OH, 5, A eooovi.

<W.=.e.ee7§e°s

§;HAMMICK$?

JUS‘ -

YOU MIGHT I<Now CAP WOULD . GE!‘ HIS PIECE! Iv/As so .;Ms.....eZ°5". ED! AND. OF couI>5E,‘rI-IE REST ALL KNEW THEIRS PERFECTLY! TH'SMuG I-0C?zKCS ON THEIR MOTHEn,$'FAcEg_-

ESPECIALLY. MARY MA ' MOTHER! SHE NEVER WILE MAW WON TH’ POETRY con-I-I=_‘sT! THOUGH How SHE DIo,~oooov'L|_ I THEY ALL ' PRETTY DUMB IN SAY SH“

MERCY! LooI< WI-II:n.I: G0lN’-I-- wt. .- '°”'"-5

GOT PROMOT EVER KNOW! HIS TEETH! EEH

HUMPH! mo A LOT HE CARES‘ HE FORGOT I-IIs PIECE, AN'.JUST BY TH’ SKIN OF OOUS‘ ouT—-

|$ MIND

took dz "let me uniax‘7.‘3”»~e.'§’a.‘."y‘.’ &t"I:lder thzotname ':tmr.°|t;B “'01- Then you ‘came into

m0'ﬂ0!Indwuro wood. Yguwork there at 9 CM‘: anlylgﬁone .

LIKE 1'MA'r.L:‘r's HER

for a year. "l’i'Iat:: ridiculous. We're from

ENT THE ' ARE YOU

I . , , I I . 79 < new ILOOKDWIN mA‘§mg .-<g>.° P E.

~K.

H00 « go BAD v'EI2 I2Ic-;.HT-’ _T MAGGIE-

COME . TO FROM - msuz PAI2ELrrs? ?'v'v*."«3’I’f 8115’-

NEVER M\t~iD ‘THE Si-iii? MADAM HARP‘!