The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-05-14
CHAPTER v

not seen his old buddy. And now
just when he had virtually given
up hope of locating him. why, here
was Charley smiling at him, look
ing as fat and healthy as ever. Lady
Luck surely was distributing her
cards with a sweeping hand that day!
We'll, if it amt my old side-kick
and cootie-killer of Chateau Thierry
an Belleau Wood an Sedan an
Montmedy an-how'n ell are you,
anyway, Angelface?"
"Angelface" had been the nick
name Charley had tied him up with
over in France. Angelface on &C
count of his angelic" smile.
The young man who. thus &C.
costed him was typical of the
Latin race. Black haired and black
eyed with flashing white teeth, and
dressed in a light gray suit of ex-
elusive weave and cut, Charley
looked not unlike a much initiated
popular movie actor. Probably
Charley imagined he resembled the
star.
In real life Charley Costello was
CANISTER, a hijacker and a
gambler. Also a feudist. Donald
Keene gazed at him admiringly and
was sure he could get no one better
fitted to help him in his under
taking.
Chatting socially. they walked
along the city's main thoroughfare.
At length Don preached the subject
of Pops kidnapping, outlining the
situation in full, including the
parts he had cast for them both,
providing, of course, Costello would
lend his aid.
"Why, cert'nly, old pardp ex-
claimed the young Italian. Il sh'd
say 1 would! I'm only too glad of
tn chance to do anything f'r tn
guy that crawled on his belly
through a hell O. Dustin shells an
machine.gun fire to pull me outta
it an back to our trench, when he
himself was damn near dead I'm
gas bombs Give i'm a and now!
I'll say 1 will!'
The subject of this ferventI
eulogy seemed slightly embar-
raised for an instant, a flush of
conscious red dyeing his cheek
bones. Then with shrug he picked
up again the thread of his story.
Briefly, eliminating all unneces-
sary detail, he told of the telephone
call from the convict's wife that
afternoon and her disclosure to
Diana Brooks of the approximate
location Of the latter's father, some
where in one of the buildings be-
tween 6S4 and 688 k street.
Charley Costello whistled. IN
bet I know just tn joint where
your friend is locked up. I'll bet
thousand bucks I do. That place,
he went on with gamblers OPP
timism, sis as familiar to me as
set of phoney dice! No. 6S7 is
where Tony Belatto ran his poker
game all last winter. There's
kinda sub.cellar under 6S4 that B1no,
the fruit ealer-bootlegger kept his
goods planted in!'
Donald Keene considered this In
formation for a moment before re-
plying. When he spoke his shrewd
brown eyes were fixed with an in
tent gaze on the face of his friend.
Charley" he said without pre-
face, "you and I were mighty close
pals over there You told me
lotta things about yourself. Among
other things you said you had be-
longed to tn Sam Venola gang.
Everybody in this city. of course,
knows of tn feud between tn Veno-
la and Valetti ollowers-tnere's been
a hundred killings at least. Well,
I've reason to think some of tn
Valetti gang have been hired for this
kidnapping Of Mr.. Brooks. l don't
know, you understand; just
suspect,
81 knew you, Charley, as soldier
in France and I know you're not
afraid of tn devil himself, let alone
Nick Valetti! I've got badge be-
longing to tn Gas Company. We
could represent ourselves as gas
meter inspectors. That would give
us an excuse for getting inside those
buildings on k street. Are you
game to come along?"
Charley Costello grinned and
pushed out his right hand.
mot only game, but tickled to
death at TIL chancer' he said and
that clenched the compact.
You spoke of me having belonged
to tn gang went on the young
Italian after a moment. For that
matter 1 belong yet, 1 s'pose. Al
that, Sam Venola isn't what you'd