The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-01-28

What are you going to do?"
I'm going round to ave a chat
with i'm. I'm going to bed now, but
I'll see i'm tomorrow morning, I
Will"
why wait till tomorrow morn
ing? Isn't that a bad plan? How do
you know he won't sell the stuff to-
night?"
"Guv'nor," said the little man, at
don't know what your occupation is,
but you're wasted in t. Off 1 go to
Marylebone this very minute"
followed; we We're becoming
friendly. we two; besides, it would be
well from my point of view to dis
cover where the other man lived.
We were fortunate enough to find a
taxi, which the little man prudently
insisted should drive us to the Grand
Central Station, out Of which, after a
moment, we emerged to turn toward
the north, making for some mean
streets. When we reached the place,
we found it in complete darkness.
Only one light burned in the window
opposite, from which came the sounds
of violent quarrel. The street stank
OF dirt; decaying vegetables were rot
ting In the cutters. While I was re-
Hecting that the wages Of crime liz
not necessarily cpulence, my compan.
Ion was painstakngly engaged upon
the bell of particularly mean-lookine
and untidy little house of only tvo
floors. 1t was not answered for \
long time, so much so that sug.
gested to my friend that his accom-.
plice was not at home He sniggered
at ne, having cast up an eye and
seen a curtain witch Besides. he
knew what he was doing; 1 perceived
rhythm in the ringing; he made I'D A
little tune, which I could not follow.
After ten minutes the door opened TO
reveal man completely dressed;
realized that here was a prudent fel.
low
This man looked more gently bred.
He was tall, very thin, had a large
oiack mustache and corrowful ewes.
Looking over the little man. he con-
sidered me with great suspicion.
It's all right, JIM" said the little
man, confidentially. He ierked his
thumb toward me: "'E's all right "
The black-mustached man let us in. |
closing the door behind us. In the
hight OF a single taper, he looked
frightened. Also, at once. the tone Of
my companion changed: 80 there |
you are, you-swine," he remarked. |
converse tionally. You're the II
who done your mate out of rs share
OF the swag. I didn't think you'd Let |
me in Expect you YVES frightened If |
what ia do to you in the morning"
don't know what you mean.
said the black mustache in an edu. |
Gated, cockney voice.
Look at i'm" said the little man. |
excessively. ''Be'old the innocent |
enid Mean to say. Jim, you didn't
palm off an empty figure on me while
you 'opped it with both of EN-? Oh I
you dirty - I've 'alf a mind to do
for you"
L pushed past the angry man: Non. |
sense. You don't want TO hang for
this, do your" I addressed the blacle |
mustache: 1.-THE position is that this
man considers that you've stolen his
share Of the job you did tonight; he
says you have both figures in your
possession. Surely you can prove It
by letting us come upstairs"
Don't e talk beautiful" said the
little man. But that's what we want, |
Jim, and we're going up"
m sure you're welcome" said the |
black mustache, nervously cycling my
bulk. Come up and see."
Rather surprised by this friendly
reception. we went up to the first
floor, where a sO-called sitting room
was occupied merely by a table and
a chair. Here burnt another candle
This was reinforced by a fire which
sun burned well In an old CRATE |
Though the light was scanty. it was
obvious that here nothing was con-
cealed. In a corner stood half a
dozen petrol tins, which showed that
these experienced burglars occasion |
ally used car. The little man went
up to them and tapped them discon- |
solately. This yielded nothing.
Now then, JIM" he said, ''I know
you. Where ave you put them?" He
nodded to the door: Got 'em under
your bed, suppose"
I assure you ="
"Oh he nodded to me- |
Ere, you keep an eye on i'm"
The little man trotted into what |
must be a bedroom. while the black |
mustache politely took the sack off |
the figure and stood 1t on the table. |
He remarked to me: Funny. sir. /
what strange ideas men get into their
heads
I took no notice of him, for I was
curious to see what was happening.
I looked into the bedroom, where my
companion was striking matches and
swearing. Suddenly he gave a cry
of excitement; I followed him into the
bedroom: over the bed was a cur
tanned shelf. He had drawn the cur
tain away; upon the shelf stood two |
waxen figures, apparently identical |
with the one we had brought
"Ah, the exclaimed the little |
man, clutching at one Of the figures. !
He came back into the sitting-room |
clasplng his burden, which he placed |
upon the table" Got you!" he re-
marked to the black mustache. And |
you shan't palm another dud figure |
on me-" He pressed his thumb upon |
the waxen forehead, where it left |
black impression. I'll know it now
Well, I got no time to knock your
~Hcg