Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1923-08-09


who was quite heavy around the
shoulders himself.
And just then the elevator door
clacked and their mans step came
echoing down the hallway to the door.
He came in a hurry-stin looking
anxious ana excited, wiping off his
forehead with his handkerchief.
"Well, I'm here" he said to Volpe,
as if he'd had hard time getting
there.
Volpe looked at him again-anxious
about him, always, when he was out
of sight; and puzzled more, when he
showed up again. He didn't look like
a jewelry thief-anything butt And
yet you can't tell-some Of the best
of them are that way. Innocence is
their stock in trade.
Got it with your" asked Volpe-
and got the thing in his hands again
1t was all the same as he had left 1t
the same fake stones among the
reaI-the same odd setting-every-
thing!
"Now, l tell you," said volpe, start
ing after 1t. II haven't had time to
get that ten thousand yet. 1t was too
late when got around to the bank"
"You can give me your check for
It," said the man gazing at him, cant
! your"
II might, yes" he answered, work
Ing along. "Only my balance won't let
me-not just now. I'll have to 70 and
get the money myself-tomorrow
maybe"
Tomorrow Maybe" said Coogan
after him, his voice rising.
"And BESIDES" said volpe, there's
another thing come up. My workman
didn't show up that counted on COM
ing to do the resetting for me-"
Didn't show upT' said the big man,
looking ugly now.
$50 I can't pull the thing of for
you tonight"
Not tonight p said the man, 1--WE
got to have 1t tonight! That's allw
"Say, listen,' said Volpe next.
"What's the hurry in this thing9
"I've got to have the money, right
off-that's what-in my business! Or
I go broke. Right now. Tomorrow.
II understand" said Volpe That's
| all right. That's easy on that neck
lace. IL everything is the way 1t looks
| on the surface. But what l mean is
what's the hurry about this work of
mine on the necklace? Why must 1
| have 1t back always ON the minute?"
| And he got no answer.
SIN other words" said Volpe COM
| ing stronger. what's the idea Of your
sliding in here by night with this
thing, and having it to take away with
you in the morning?"
Its my WIFE" said the big man
finally.
"Your &1fe!"
II wouldn't have her know about
! thiS-nOw-nOt for the WOrld1''
What is it-hers, and not yours r.
said volpe.
mo. It's mine. That u.s. paid for
it, and gave it to herr"
"0h!" said Volpe
| come right in my business TIL
straighten 1t ali out"
Maybe you will. Maybe you
won't"
what do you mean?'
'"I mean we'll know better-when
! we put that up TO her!"
! But you won't put II up to her 20
; said the big man, sticking out his law,
you'll let me have it back-now
| And Volpe stepped away from him.
You'll let me have It," said the big
! husky stepping toward him. Nov ~
! eyes, I will. Yes" said Volpe-rais-
i ing his voice, so the detective in the
! next room would get it, "When you
put my ten thousand back In nv
hand"
! you'll let me have 1t! Right now ="
said the big man getting red and
/ reaching over and starting to break
, off the hand Volpe had 1t in, at the
wrist.
! That was the cue for the detective
in the next room.
+ just Hiihutc! ne sdlu stepping
out.
And the big rough-neck looked back
/ at him over his shoulder.
"What are you-" said Mcconnell.
getting threatening?"
I "Who are your" said the man who
! claimed he owned the necklace, set
: ting his small blue eyes on him.
And the officer showed him.
He stopped there, after a minute
his breath coming hard, and his face
getting mottled-the way those full
FLOODED ones do.
Nov, what's your gamer said the
officer. "You slip in here with seven
| ty-1ve thousand dollars worth Of lew
elry loose in your side pocket. And
| you want to have 1t replaced by other
| fake stuff. All In a night! So you
can take these substitutes right back.
And when this man asks you for an
explanation you beat him over the
head and start taking it away from
him-tO run off with. What's the
ideaY'
The big man looked up at him, with
his little eyes red like a cOrnered
bulls, and said nothing in answer.
"NOw listen" said Mcconnell, the
detective. "You can do one of two
things. It's up to you. You can show
us-take us around to your wife now,
at home. Or you can come with me,
and have her give her explanation
to headquarters
And the big fellow gave a groan,
too loud, almost, to be natural.