The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-06-07
ny CLAIRE DuIAC

by CLAIRE DuLAC
INFORMATION had trickled thru
j 10 White Cross headquarters that
there was big Greek ring handling
done Wholesale In Seattle and that A.
Pete, aims Gregory, was the leader
OF II.
/ determined to get A. Pete.
About this time a poor devil OF an
addict staggered into the arms OF one
OF our government operatives. broke
and begging for dope. lie was vic
tim OF the vein shot" In other
words. he shot" the stuff with a
hypo needle into the big vein In his
arm.
rrrhis q a snshsew wsssua 90 sAass.
ton. Up to a few years ago any doc.
tor In the land would have taken
oath that II was impossible TO Inject
dope into the veins directly without
suffering death. But the dope fiend
discovered that by so doing the
kick" was instantaneous and that
death did not often result.
learned from our "vein shot ad-
dict the name OF taxi driver who
has n visiting list" OF hop joints and
peddlers. went down town and got
into his taxi.
Take me to Pcte's." I said II
was a long chance. bat II worked.
Without a word he drove off.
He took me 10 a cigar store IT 2i3
Prefontaine place. ! had Pete's dc.
scription. | recognized him at once.
1t Is always best. have found. to
get directly down TO business with
out stammering or delay.
Gould | get about s5 ounces of
NJ and c by tomorrow"
Yes"
He agreed to meet me at noon in
a restaurant at Ninth ave. and Pine
st. the next day. and left satisfied
that was going TO land. at last. one
OF the really big dealers in narcotics.
I knew he wouldn't have the stuff
with him the next day at noon. This
meeting would be for the purpose Of
feeling me out. These dope whole.
salers like to look before they leap.
That evening on Second ave. was
startled by a hand laid upon my
shoulder. turned quickly.
Don't be scairt." grinned the taxi
driver who had taken me to the Pre-
fontaine Place cigar store a few
hours before. 1T amt the law--just
me. Get In. want to talk some
business"
| entered his car. We drove out
OF the business district before he
spoke again. Then he inquired:
Have any luck with the big
Greekw
mot much" I answered. "Why?"
We'll, that guys got lot OF the
stuff somewhere. Find out where he
keeps his plant ana me and couple
OF friends will go out and knock II
over. Wen split what we get four
ways--you quarter. me a quarter
and my two friends quarter each ="
NO" told him. That's not my
game. ] deal square or not at all
This doublecrossing never gets you
anywhere. First thing you know the
other fellow calls the law down on
you"
you take half" ne protested.
'"rhe Greek must have IS, 900 worth
Of the stuff somewhere. You take
half and me and my friends VIII spfit
the other half"
] didn't want 70 lose his friendship.
! He might prove OF value by and
by. SO ] fold him I'd think It over
and call him up, and he drove me
back 10 town. assuring me that he
and his friends were ~on the lever'
and wouldn't ''jIp' me for the
world.
But didn't call him up. In.
. stead, when | saw Pete at the restau-
rant the next noon l cemented our
acquaintance and satisfied Pete that
was playing square by telling him
of the scheme to knock him over"
He agreed to deliver 26 ounces of
dope to me that evening at the price
Of $45 an ounce. ] was to come to
31st ave. and Judkins 1T. In a taxi.
get out and walk down the steps
leading down the hill at that point.
and he would meet me at the foot
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