The Washington times., 1930-11-11
CHAPTER 4

the door like Sinking snake
quiet, sure of itself, long, yell
low and black, and Slithery.
The lackadaisical doorman,
haAd-boiled to costly cars,
twisted the silver-plated handle
and yanked open the door. A
man was helping a girl out.
The girl had red hair and a
Silver-cloth toque. ALI this was
routine with the hard-boiled
doof1nan. Then he saw the
man. He stiffened as though
mercury had shot up his spine
like it would up the tube Of a
thermometer. It was the Big
Boy-Silk Freeman-B. B. The
doorman blithered and bluo-
bered.
silk Freeman took the elbow
Of Polack Annie between his
thumb and finger and guided
her UP the, few steps. A head
waiter saw him, raised a hand
and led the way. If he didn't
value his job, he did value the
contour of his pan. A small
table was hurriedly pushed out
on the floor, in front OF the
''ringside" locations. B. B. was
In the house.
Quick Service
A slender, sleek, anaemlc man
crossed the floor. He was man
aging the resort, which had
municipal concession, Whlcn
charged four prices and which
paid the rent Of a peanut-stand
for a palace on public property.
He bowed obSequiously.
Bottle o. wine," said Silk.
"And a menu"
ION the fire." said the major
domo. 'You don't want a menu
write your ticket, Mr.. Free
man. We have some especially
fine Sweetbreads-"
"Boloney," said Silk. "I'll have
a Hamburger steak, extra well
done, smothered in onions. -.
Annie, what's your hearts de-
sire?"
IT could go in a big way for
some roast beef-outside cut if
it isn't charred-baked potato
an new green peas. Could it be
handled?"
Consider it delivered, miss"
said the manager. THE wine
is on the way"
"You get service" commented
Annie. "I guess you're no
stranger in this burg"
''I get by" assented Silk.
Tommy Gillespie sat across
the room. He was the son OF
Tall Tom Gillespie, teaming
Z contractor, Tammany leader,
self m. de millionaire.
Tommy had just turned out
at college, where he had played
tackle on his team and had been
prominently named on the ALI
America. A husky, handsome
kid was Tommy. The Irish OF
his nativity was in his blue eyes
and his yellowish, thick, taWny
hair-and his brawny shoulders
and his undershot jaw.
Beside him sat Alice Schuy-
der. Her face was narrow and
aristocratic. Her forebearS had
been Hollanders. They had
bought acreage on Manhattan
Island to raise cows on, and
It had turned out to be 'front.'
footage to build banks on. She
was a snoh in her heart and
she tolerated everything on
earth except Tommy Gillespie.
Him she loved.
The Big Boy
Their waiter was lowering
around, brushing off crumbs,
filling water goblets. He sensed
the commotion across the
room. He glanced across.
know who that man is,
Mr.. Gillespie?" he inquired
gingerly, as though fearsome
that his impertinence might be
misjudged, yet feeling that the
occasion demanded expression.
mo-" said Tommy. Who'd
41C CNCE A441!
Nobody knows any ii, any
body does, he won't tell. That's
Silk Freeman"
"Oh-yes? So that's the Big
Boy, eh?"
"That's Silk Freeman, sir.
He doeSp't come here often
who" said Tommy, "is the
red-headed girl?"
Alice shot him a look. The
waiter caught it.
"Who is she?" repeated
Tommy.
CT don't know, Mr.. Giles
pie. She's new to me. I see
most Of them, sir. but I've
never caught that one before"
"H'm-very interesting look.
ing girl, I should say"
Every coarse-dreSSed in afro
cious TASTE" volunteered Alice.
II think she's a knockout"
said Tommy. How do those
thugs and yeggs get that kind
Of women?"
The waiter shrugged his
shoulders.
IF you saw what I see, sir.
you would think human nature
Q most amazing proposition.