Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-04

TIM HARVEY was doing nothing
and thoroughly enjoying the ex
psrience. His large body over
~ flowed an easy chair. drawn ur
TO the window of his tiny apart
naent.
Save for one thing. a casual observer
might have fancied that the big detec
tive was asleep. Suspended across
Hanvey's vest was a hawser-iike watch
chain, from the middle of which dan
cled a golden toothpick. gift of a Grim
inal friend. Jim was toying with this
toothpick. doing it unconsciously
Otherwise he remained motionless.
And than came the sound of the door
bell. faintest suggestion OF a frown
creased the round face. the giant frame
was agitated by CULVER Of annoyance.
Jim waited hopefully; perhaps the IN
truder would depart.
But the man at the doorhei did
nothing of the sort. and once again his
summons buzzed through the room.
Jim sighed as he hoisted his tremen'
dous frame from the chair and wad-
died toward the little hall leading to
the door.
He turned the knob and the door
opened As the detective glimpsed the
visitor. his CLASSY orbS grew even more
expressionless than usual: the lids
closed with deliberate and madden.
ing slowness that could not possibly
be called q blink. and then uncur-
tanned in a fashion equally leisurely.
Harvey spoke. His voice was soft
and friendly.
'Howdye, Bob.
The man on the other side of the
doorsill nodded and smiled brightly.
He was slightly taller than Jim. and
his antithesis in the matter of sartorial
effect. The visitor was decidedly dap.
per in his reddish-brown suit of Sum
mer woolcns, cream flannel shirt, and
panama hat.
"Hello, Jim. How's tricks?"
''Oh. pretty fair. Come in"
A shadow of apprehension flashed In
the callers eyes. Alone
"Yeh.''
Bob ferris entered and followed Jim
into the living room.
Jim scrupulously attended to his
duties as host He poured for his visi.
tor a glass of water. and produced a
box OF very large and very black
cigars,
Have enc. Bob
Terris' eyes crinkled at the corners.
"Those your regular ones?"
'Uh.huh."
enc; thanks, Jim. I'm human"
HANvEY stolidly bit the end from
~ one Of the vicious proJectiles,
applied a match and inhaled luxuri-
ously. As the smoke filled the room,
Bob ferris WINGED. and a faint smile
appeared on the lips OF the detective.
"They are strong" he admitted.
"And awful!'
"But like EN-"
"Sure: sure you do. But don't you
think they're bit cruel?"
Terris bent over and pressed the
crease Of his trousers between thumb
and forefinger. 1t was obvious that he
was i'll at ease. Harvey regarded him
impassively-and waited.
Finally Terris broke the silence: he
broke 1t sharply, looking squarely into
the eyes of his host.
"Jim," he announced shortly, I've
come to you for help"
'Yeh?'
"Yes-help. I've turned straight"
Jim's head inclined in slow ap-
prevail. THAT'S fine. Bob. A Teller
with your brain ought to be able to
make an honest living"
IT guess so, Jim. But that isn't
the point; I'm turning straight any
way--win CIR lose. That's why I've
come to YOU"
"Yeh? sure am glad, son." 1t
wasn't Jim's habit to ask questions.
He listened.
Il guess you're interested in the
reason"
Just whatever you want to tell,
Bob"
"Well, it's a girl. She's on the level.
II she ever knew I'd been a crook.
she'd about die. We're going to get
married pretty soon. and ! want to
live clean. starting now"
Good stuff. Bob. I'm for you. And
anything I can do"
'You can DO a-plenty. Jim. And
you're the only one who can. I'm In
rotten Ak. You know. you'd think
1t was easy to turn straight; but there
are so many loose ends to be cleared
I'D before you can feel right with
yourself; that is, getting things ar.
ranged so they won't crop up later
and worry you, or maybe even get
you i'm STIR"
ferris walked to the window and
stood gazing down on the quiet scene.
His face was set in stern, rigid lines
and he spoke again without turning
his head. IT can trust you?"
law now, Bob. you hadn't ought to
have asked me a question like that"
I'm sorry, Jim. l apologize-truiy.
Eut-- Oh. well!' He faced the
detective squarely. did you hear
anything Of the Norton McMaster's
pearl robbery about six months ago?
Rather"
"Why rather"
Because" explained the detective,
zone OF the companies I work for is
the company McAiasters had his
burglary Insurance in. When those
pearls disappeared, it cost US pretty
nearly 100000. Since We amt had
any luck in finding pearls or crook,
l guess we've heard a-plenty. It's
what you might call sore spot with
all of u.s."
ferris walked close to Harvey.
1--WE got those pearls. Jim."
If he expected Harvey to show sur
prise he was disappointed. Harvey
gave no symptom of interest.
You have, eh?"
eyes. / stole them"
"Lone joh?"
eyes"
LIE picked up the pearls put them in
IA the little envelope. folded 1t and
"IU hand IL to YOU, Bob. You're q