Evening star., 1930-06-22

stolen three times-1sc suits and Sc extra pairs
of trousers?"
MY gracious!" Rollo put back his head and
laughed pleasant sound. who in the world
took all that trouble? A comic opera troupe do
you think?"
We'll, you've got pair, for one"
Yes. Yes" Blinking at the garment "As
matter OF fact, my dear, I've had these hung
up forever dreading to wear them. But neces-
sity knows no law"-indicating the sorry bags
he wore. And have an important business
appointment today"
What sort of business?
"F1recTackers," he said solemnly
you're really truly in earnest?"
"Dreadfully. I'm something of an inventor
I've been working Fourth of July novelty
sort of parachute you send up with a paper
cap Does it sound silly to you?"
Il don't believe in fireworks for children"
said Moud But it doesn't sound silly"
My brother thought 1t was aSinine. I'm
afraid We quarreled over it. lost some money
for him few years ago a patent Roman
candle. That was the time he handed me these
trousers and told me I crazy. Possibly
I am"
NO you're not" She was serious. "Crazv
people, you know, never admit it. But you're
not very practical. Why did you quit your
boarding house without leaving any address,"
Il was behind with my board. I'm really
ashamed OF getting out like that. But Mrs.
i
with the flrst money I made my novelty
parachute" What do they want with me?"
They found finger prints on the wall" said
she, "and they'd kind of like to know if they're
yours"
Did my brother put them up to that?"
Roflo's scholastic pallor deepened to crimson.
Detectives are 80 suspicious" she explained
And listen to me. know very well that you
didn't commit that crime. Then why don't
you go right around to your brother"
Never" He wrinkled the small chin of q
stubborn man.
why not?"
I'll not see him for a year told him 20
when we quarreled. I never 60 back on my
word"
THEN came = saving inspiration IT think
you're foolish. But you'll do me a favor.
won't you? mean my husband works so hard
chasing false clues. And If he only had the fin-
ger prints"
Il don't know your husband" This sounded
unpromiSing until he added But should love
to do you favor because you're the only origi-
nal detective I ever heard Of I like your
method. Just walking up to people and telling
them about it."
Beaming now, he plunged into his seedy coat
and brought out a seedy envelope. This has
my name on it, you And I'd better put
uoWh my ADDRESS, IN case your husband wants
it," He scribbled with pencil; then going to
the sooty rail around the janitor's entrance
rubbed his fingers over the surface, pressed
them firmly on the envelope, handed it to her.
oh, thank you much" said Maud.
They're perfectly lovely. Hector'n be tickled
to death. Well good-by. And good luck to your
parachute"
THANK you, Mrs. Hector" He removed his
dusty hat and vanished into the cheap brown
building
Hector, 1t seemed, getting desperate He
paced up and down excitedly. "Cheever says
something's got to happen in "a hours or I'm
of the job" he announced.
"Hector!" Maud felt like crying. Il wonder
II his finger prints would do any good?"
Mr. Cheevers? Don't be silly"
mo. mean Rollo Fennig's. Because I've
got them"
"What?" Like an explosion. He snatched