New Britain herald., 1930-10-03

! paths bisecting the small public park, in the northwest section O Washington, D. C.
 For a while he watched the stream of persons crossing the parl on their way from office to home his restless fingers turning his cane this way and that until final vi cious jab brought a subdued grunt from the man seated on the same bench.
 "Awfully sorry" Winslow ex- claimed, then, getting d full look at the man: Haven't I seen you be- fore-feeding the birds and the squirrels?"
 "Very likely" responded the other. T drop over here when l can spare the time.'
 Winslow turned.
 Do you notice people? That is, do you recall seeing a woman in a blue silk dress and a smart black hat? Hang it, that's not much of a description, but when I say she has the figure of a girl of sixteen and the face of a woman of sixty-a painted Jezebel-"
 The man nodded. q think I know who you mean. She usually comes around in the afternoon and leaves when-the children do."
 Did you see her today?" eagerly.
 "Yes."
 Do you know her name-who she is?"
 No. She occasionally asks me the time-and always clears out be- fore five o'clock"
 Before five o'clock" Winslow repeated the words mechanically and lapsed into silence, then rose with abruptness and, tossing down his newspaper, strode across the park.
 The advertising section Of the Star lay on the bench directly in his line of vision, and the man had no difficulty in deciphering the ad- vertisement marked by penciled cross. With quickened interest he raised it's head and watched Wins low cross the street into Connecti- cut avenue and proceed due north. More leisurely the stranger gained his feet and followed.
 The man turned into the entrance of a tall building and mounted the winding staircase to the second floor. Winslow was made aware of his presence by the shadow of his figure across the glass partition of a closed door bearing the legend: UNIVERSAL DETECTIVE AGENCY
 EVIDENCE EXPERTS c, THORNE. GENERAL MANAGER
 Walk in; the office is never closed" and as the latter stepped inside, he led the way to an inner room. T presume you wish a pri- vate interview?'
 With Mir Thorne, yes'-re- sponded Winslow, recovering some- what from his surprise at the un- expected appearance of his casual park acquaintance.
 q am he.'
 My names Arnold Winslow. Ton were recommended to me by Sen ator Fairchild," he began T un- derstand that you are all that your in the Star says. I'm in trouble. sore trouble"
 50 I gather, and what can I do to help?"
 Its a bit hard to begin" Wins low admitted, after a second. Tt all seems 90 trivial at first" He cleared his throat My wife and I are childloss, and twenty years ago We adopted my brothers son, John. He could not be more dear to us if he were our own child; therefore when he became" he hesitatcd.
 Engaged" prompted Thorne softly, as the pause heightened.
 infatuated" The word shot from Winslow. There's nothing else that expresses it; why, Thorne, the girls l paralytic,"
 "Indeed?" In his interest. the de teCtive leaned closer. And what produced that condition? Has she always been so?"
 No" Winslow checked a sign: Jack, when motoring across the continent, vas driving in Chicago, struck her taxi. overturned it, and Miss Chasc's spine was injured. re- sulting in paralysis Of the lower limbs. When Jack came East he was madly in love with Elsa Chase. He talked unccasingly of her per fections, her illness, the tragedy of her helpless condition, and 50 " orked on my wife's and my sym pathy that We sent for Elsa"