New Britain herald., 1929-04-23

remain where ha was.
 While he waited Stephen called the office and asked for MT. Met tie. His hand shook as he held the receiver to his ear and listened for his employers voice.
 Telling old D. A. NJ. that he had lost one of their finest cars wasn't going to be fun. Stephen knew.
 "Well?" Mir. Mettle rumbled after what seemed an all too short but yet interminable walt.
 'This Is Armitage." Stephen be- gan, but Mir. Mettle cut in on him.
 II know that" he said; whats the trouble?"
 Stephen let him have 1t like an explosion. 'The cars been stolen" he said directly, unable to approach his confession in a roundabout way.
 "What?" yelled the other. and if ever MT. Mettle came close to hav- ing apoplexy 1t was at that moment He was so overcome that he was speechless. Stephen was able to finish his story without interrup- tions.
 Where. are you?" finally Mir. Mettle asked him weakly. Stephen told him that. adding: I'm waiting for the police" Come in when they're through with you" his employer ordered. "I'l wait for you" He hung up with a bang and Stephen groaned. Heres your police" Lefty stuck hls head inside the door to say. and l stephen went out to where an off cer was parking motorcycle.
 Again he went over the story Of the theft of the car. this time an- swering great number of more 1 pertinent question. ] The officer shook his head. We've telephoned the license number for miles around" he said. but fast car like that has good chance to get away"
 1 How about the keys?" Stephen l dbACd. 6OIuCOuc HI N*AAC pA.e>S PAS'> ed them out of my pocket" l The officer turned to J. B. who was standing nearby. his hands in his trousers pockets and a worried 1 look upon his countenance. Looking for trouble?" he inquir- ed, a threatening note in his voice.
 "Aw. now. Kelly" he protested That's what he says. My bet is he left 'em in the car ands jus: alibin' to save his face"
 Who was in the room?" the off cer questioned stephen. without re- plying to J. B.
 Several men, all strangers to me, except this man and Lefty Flint. Stephen answered.
 Want to come along to the sta ton and make a complaint agains, anyone?" the officer went on. This place has bad name" He bent q hard look up J. B. Been a lot oi crooked deals pulled off herS."
 Whats under your skin?" J. B sneered. T suppose if car was stolen from in front of the Metro. politan Museum you'd blame the pitchers on the wall. If this kid here was dipped let him go ahead and prove it.
 Who's this Lefty Flint?" the off. cer asked without giving stepher time to reply to J. B.'s remark.
 Lefty stepped forward and the officer studied him closely, while stephen explained that he'd beer demonstrating the car to Flint.
 "H'm." the officer said reflective ly. How'd you happen to drop 1T at this place."
 Tt was Flint's idea" Stepher told him. This man-I don't know his name" indicating J. B. with $ slight wave of his hand. lis 6 friend of his. Said he wanted him te look over the car"
 The officer nodded.
 Better come along to the station and tell us what you know" he said to Flint. And you. too. J. B"
 They seemed reluctant to com. ply, but the officer was firm. Any one else here who was in that room?" he said before turning away to his motorcycle.
 No one but the bartender" Ste. phen replied.
 He'd made certain of that poir, for himself
 The officer turned back. 'I'll have a word with him." he said and strode into the mouse.
 The bartender was new man The officer could learn nothing from him but he made a mental note te keep an eye on him in the future.
 At the station Lefty and J. B were closely questioned. The ser geant was inclined to believe Ste phen's charge that his pocket had beer picked. but since there was nt one he directly accused no arres could be made.