Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-02

gone and of eyelashes he had almost
none; his eyes were smallish. gray.
cunning, genial. He made Clifford
fancy. with those eyes OF his so good
naturedly cynical. and with his large,
outstanding ears, that here might be
a satyr who had forsaken gay forests
for city and had at length grown into
grandfatherly days.
We'll, now, Uncle George--whats
all this about?' Clifford demanded
when theeorder was in
Not so fast, son---not so fast"
slowly demonstrated Uncle George,
who, as far as Broadway's knowledge
went. was no ones Uncle George, but
who was known by no other name.
some of the freight that walters go
ing to bring u.s." He hlinked his
lashless lids. and drawled on. Its
been long time since I've seen YOU
six months / just wanted to give
you the once over, and ask you how
was trade"
Trades good-considoring"
The old head nodded. Yes. consid-
ering that you're a detective who's on
the square. There's not much chance
for that sort. son--not in this here
widely advertised Christian civiliza-
tion of ours. AT least, not much
lection Of coin"
I'm not In this primarily TO make
money. l thought you understood
that
"You sure are queer guy SON."
pronounced the old man. i've heard
you spiel off your ideas--you're not
primarily a thief-taker--your're in
this to help people out of the trouble
A hell of an idea for detective"
you know as well as j do, Uncle
George, that most of the people that
get into trouble, or seem to be bad
well they personally are not so much
to blame. They've been born and
raised In bad conditions--they'v
never had a chance-have never real
ly been able to tell what was right
or wrong, and have never had
chance to choose the right"
Come UP for air. SOMEONE up for
air." cut in the old man. "Son, that's
nice music. but it's all bunk. You're
an awful example of what college
education can do to man. Now you
just listen to your Uncle George. You
know me--everybody knows me. I've
been In about every crooked game
known to the human race and the
higher animals, including managing
shows-and I've never been pinched
because I was too clever for the cop
pers, and the coppers know 1T, too.
tell you I know life up and down and
across the middle-and tell you that
we've all got streak OF crooked
ness--every damned one of U.S."
IF that's So" smiled Clifford. then
why are you always helping crooks"
That's just my human cussedness.
I've retired from business-I'm one of
these gentleman farmers that have
'located on Broadway; but Iddon't like
TO see any earnest young crook get
raw deal from the coppers.
who are the rawest crooks of
all The old man waved his left
hand as though brushing such
conversation asLle. But let's ge:
down to brass tac::s--which means
you and me. You and Bradley as
great friends as ever?"
Despite himself Clifford flushed with
chagrin. Don't try to be funny
And. son. don't be too sore. Brad
ley WAS one hell Of guy He was
the cleverest chief Of detectives the
police department ever had
And the crookedestn
Sure. son,--didnt ! tell you us hui
mans were all crooksw the old man
said appeasing]y. But. sure there
never was a crookeder chief OF de-
tectives than Bradley. You certain
~ showed nerve when you started
out TO get him--and you certainly
showed your class when you finally
trapped him, publicly, with the goods
on. Only"
That's it--only" Clifford exclaimed
sourly. IT'S quite some little word,
that only"
'Sure--only. n."-and the old
man spoke sravely--"rm twice as
old az YOU are. but you should know
as well as I know that you really
can't get n copper. 7 mean clever
copper. Count the big coppers that
have really been sent away--thc
smart boys. ] mean---and you'll see
you have several fingers left to check
up your laundry on. That was grand
business YOU pulled on Bradley, and
It showed all New York he was "a
crook. il was worth doing-God.
yes! But said 10 myself, as soon as
/ heard of the swell arrest you had
made of him, that n classy guy like
Bradley would have himself covered
and would beat the case when it
came to trial. And he sure did beat
it,
S'On n techuicality!" Clifford was
still bitter at the manner In which
his old enemy and old superior officer
had slipped from what had seemed
the sure clutches of the law.
"A technicality, sure. Hut IL got
him off. and what more does a crook
ever ask for?'
But he got reinstated in the police
Department.
But didn't he retire right aztec.
ward claiming broken health? 49,
don't you and | know his real reason