The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-19

As Ballin offered his explanation, a
 sheer passed over the other mans lips
 nor did the gun that he held in his hand wayer one-sixteenth of an inch. All Bal
 In could see was a small round hole and
 the mans finger on the trigger
 Look here" he said after moments thought. You don't believe what I'm telling you. do you?''
 No the other answered grufHy. Why should I?n I don't look like fool do I?s
 T see," valIin nodded. 'tNo, can't say that you look like a fool, and She ruth of the matter is that 1 don't blame lyou for thinking my story is queer, but Fl happened to come down here in a queer way" He paused for an instant, trying to formulate his story in his mind.
 You see, I'm not a New Yorker" he 1 iexplained, leaning easily against the jamb or the doorway, T only got here this morning; l come from Chicago. l had to get out to escape a dragnet. When I got here 1 went to tea room called the Whistling Cat Maybe you've heard of it9'
 The other nodded briefly and Ballin con- tinued. q met my friend here-she's the girl you saw out in the other room-a and | it seems that she has been doing some iwork for woman by the name of Su~ie. Well, while I was in the tea room, Susie 1 came in. She overheard me say that fhad been running a fence out in Chicago. and she came over and offered me this Ejob. She didn't tell me anything about d back room in fact she didn't tell me i ianything. just came down here, and as soon as we got inside the place a man Icame out of this room and asked if was the person who had been sent down here to take charge. I told him I was, out. Didn't make any explanation, just went out. Since then I've been waiting for some one to come down and put me wise to what I'm supposed to know. I've got a fat chance of running this joint without knowing anything, haven't I ?''
 That the man was in doubt regarding the truth of this story was clear from the expression with which he regarded the teller. Finally, with sudden thought. Balln spoke again. l "There isn't any hurry about ca hing in that stuff, Is there? Why don't you wait and come back later Maybe someone will come down in the meantime and wise me Tup to things"
 1 That suits me" the man. who had called himself Willie Sims, returned, the cunning light of suspicion coming again to his eyes "Pll be back" 1 Still holding the gun pointed at Ballin's chest, he walked toward the door, every nerve of his body prepared against a
 
 way. Backing out of the storeroom, he gainef the shop and came to pause jn front of the candy counter. .All right he said at last after survey of the girl, who returned his glance with complete indifference, though as matter of fact her heart was beat ing like a trip hammer. T guess your fstory's straight. can't open that back wall, but I'll show you this stuff and get an advance on it. I need some money"
 Again he passed into the storeroom This time after he drew the handkerchief from his pocket, he spread it out on small table, exposing to view dosen or so articles of jewelry, several rings, scarfpin, two or three breaches ana one long barpin set with a score of beautiful diamonds As BalIin stared down at the "ice,'' as Sims had termed it, a sudden thought shot through his brain. It was disturb ing though, and one that made him nesl- tate before expressing an opinion of the display It was the barpn that aroused his suspicion The thing was so beautiful that Ballin finally picked it up, studying London of Cleveland. Ohio. are the guests of Mrs. J. Soloman on South Twelfth street.
 Mir and Mrs Reese Murray have gone to New York for visit of ten days.
 Mrs Joseph Holt of Charlotte, \. C., is the guest of Mrs. Henry Foster.
 
 Miss Florence Ballard is improving from a recent illness at her home in Norwood.
 Miss Julia Mae Penny of Huntsville, who has been the guest of Mrs. J. D. | Penny in Glen Iris park, left yester- day for a visit in Boligee before re- 1 turning to her home.