Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-06

The next night, at Bradley's, Cliff
ford tried to catch every detail
and it's possible meaning, for a ire
mendous possibility had been growing
in his mind.
The dance fitted Jerry Nordstrom's
description of Bradley's parties. Cliff
ford knew by reputation most of the
guests; each had had some trouble in
his or her life. but not one Of them
would have been out Of place In the
smartest home in Green Manors. The
women were visitors in the colony; OF
the men, perhaps four or Ave of the
younger ones were residents. The
music was by one of New York's best
dance orchestras. There. was plenty
to drink and 1t was of excellent quail
ity. but throughout the entire evening
Clifford did not see the slightest evil
dence of overindulgence.
The big rooms of the first floor,
Clifford noted, were furnished with ex.
cellent, If not distinguished taste.
There was a most efficient butler and
most efficient servants. The place,
with it's atmosphere, was a perfect
background-for certain purposes.
Toward 10 o'clock Clifford had a sur.
prise, this was occasioned by the ar
rival Of young Mrs. Fownes and her
husband.
Mrs. Fownes was in the highest Of
spirits, but Clifford surmised that this
gayety was assumed to hide despair.
Later, after dancing half a dance with
him, she declared herself dizzy and in
need of a breath of fresh air. In the
solitude of a corner of the porch she
whispered:
mfr. Clifford-those threats are get
ting worse and worse. Fifty thousand
they want. / can't raise more than
twenty, without asking by husband.
and he'd demand to know why I
wanted so much money. Oh, it's ter
rible! You-you think you may get
the letters back for me?"
There's a chance-yes."
you have what you detectives call
a clue?"
"Ill say this much-I think I know
who is behind this whole matter"
"Oh, thank Heaven" she breathed.
you think you'll be able to make
them give the letters up?"
'I can't answer that. II it's the same
to you, let's not discuss the affair here.
Shall we go in?"
Presently Mrs. Fownes was dancing
with Jerry Nordstrom, and Clifford,
standing aside, was studying Brad
ley's guests-thinking over the puzzle
of how such quality came to be here
when an arm was slipped through his.
II haven't got on to this dancing
yet, Clifford.p said Bradley. What
do you say to a smoke in my study"
Clifford followed his host into a
room at least Is by 90 feet. In 1t was
a desk with two telephones on 1t, a
row of push buttons, a typewriter.
For the rest, the room was comfort
ably furnished: at it's farther end was
a French window, slightly ajar, which
undoubtedly opened upon balcony.
Bradley offered his cigar ease, and
Clifford helped himself.
Bradley was the first to speak. His
voice was bland.
Clifford. what do you say to game
of stud poker?"
II don't just get you, Bradley"
We're sitting in a game against
each other" the bland voice went on.
II was just suggesting that we show
each other all our cards. except our
hole card-or hole cards. In other
words, that we tell eacler other all the
more or less important things we
know, which we'd find out anyhow
Certainly an audacious proposition.
But very much like Bradley.
I'm play first" continued Bradley.
Here are some of my cards, face up.
The instant saw you yesterday ]
knew you were here to look me over.
I thought I'd make it easy for you.
That's why / invited you to come and
get all your dope at first hand"
Clifford made no response. Hard az
he had fought Bradley, he had a streak
of admiration for the holiness Of the
man.
Though you fell down the last time
you tried to get me, though you've
been out of my country so long, you
haven't given up your idea that you
can land me. Right, .Clifford?"
Clifford nodded.
Nothing like being frank. I guess
I've shown you everything hold
except my card in the hole. It's your
play, Clifford"
There was challenge in Bradley's
voice. and Clifford accepted it.
You know. Of course" said Clifford,
that know that you are the biggest
and cleverest crook in the country"
Thanks, at least, for the compli
ment OF putting me at the head of the
class"
Here's what I've found out about
you, Bradley, and III admit thai
you've been clever. When you ha6
to get out Of the Police Department
you were sore at the world for a long
time. Then you had your great idea
You had always been a crook; yoI
were now going to become the great
est of all crooks-that was your idea
You saw that no man had equipmen,
equal to yours. You'd been almost
20 years in the Police Department.
you knew how the police work, every
device by which they catch criminals
and you knew how to avoid their
partment who would help you out
You had handled most Of the big Grim
inals OF the country: you knew their
methods, you knew them personally
you could pick the cleverest Of them
the big specialists, to help in any job
you wished to pull Off. As I said, q
wonderful equipment
Bradley's face did not change
Thanks again for the praise-suct
as 1t is. Anything else. Clifford?"
Yes. To do the things you dreamed
of doing, you needed the right kind
of front Your detective agency
wasn't quite sufficient. So you decided
to become a gentleman. You had
| rich pickings when you were chief
| OF detectives-and my boss. You've
built up a wonderful 'frontp Yor
doubtless make some legitimate none,
from your detective agency. and vol
may make q little from your specula,
tons. But the money you make, thu
| tricks you pull of. behind this 'front.'
that's what counts.'
| What do do behind this ALLEGED
| 'front.'"
/ That's for me to ind out-if I d.
not already know"
"A most interesting theory, Clifford
| Wen see how much you can prove t.
be fact" Clifford made no return
Bradley held his brilliant eyes steadil,
upon Clifford: then he asked abruptly
| Have you seen Mary Regal
lately"