The Washington times., 1930-10-16
CHAPTER 6

fAV 8eAO NeNRAA AOOAASA
sine Of 0oldie Gorio slid to the
curb in front of City Hall.
Goldie did not move but lit up
0 cigarette, while his meticu-
lousy uniformed chauffeur
hopped out and opened the
door. With all the dignity Of
O maharaja the intrepid gang
leader stepped from the car
and strode into the municipal
habitat Of management and au-
thority.
It was two O'Clock in the af-
ternoon. The lobby of the great
granite structure was crowded
with aldermen, precinct hand
lickers, ward committeeman,
district captains. sightSeers,
bond bailsmen, widows with lit
tie children, pompOus gentle
men who moved with great i'm
portance and with nothing in
their pocketS-that strange pot
pourri of heels and heelers who
live rs the camp followers OF
the successful politician, and
tho eitizeny trying to get
thin done or undOne.
COD = rance in the foyer
was not W4Slout notice. He was
q spectacular figure, with 3
smiling front that cleaned as
q show window to one of the
most fearless, cruel, vicious and
1ovable gangSters in all the
city's underworld. He nodded
benignly to several political
peanuts, stopped to pat a little
brat's cheek where tears had
made thin streaks through the
CRIME, pressed a coin into the
hand of a cripple, and made
his way to the elevator, where
he addressed the operator by
his first name.
Second floor, Joe-the e
Chiefs office. By the way,
how's the sick wife, feller?"
Slammed the Gates
Joe fairly quiyered at these
solicitations from such a man
as Goldie. He slammed the
grill gates and had gone to the
third floor before he knew it
naumbllng some reply. but
Goldie was not listening. He
was passing the time of day
+. with a ward committeeman
fat and fatuous.
The elevator came down to
q stop. The door slid open ana
Goldie stepped out. The SER
geant at the information desk
arose when he approached.
THE Chief busy, Mike?"
Goldie asked.
Not for YOU" smiled the
sergeant, as he walked quickly
into the Chiefs office. He re-
, turned in an instant and. hold
ing the door open. waved
Goldie in.
Hello, Chief" greeted Goldie,
taking q seat without being
invited. The Chiefs face wore
an expression of bewilderment
and trepidation.
Hello, Goldie - what's on
your mind?" he asked, nerv-
ously lingering some paper on
his desk.
"Oh. nothing, Chief" said
Goldie, breezily. Another ciga-
rette, and he carefully adjusted
his cane and leaned back in his
chair. looking at the Chief with
half-closed. smiling eyes. II
just thought I'd drop in ON
you and do a little buzzing.
like to call on my friends.
They say a guy what neglects
his friends is chaSin' with his
enemies. Everything'S fine by
! mean you?"
Chief. Fidgets NervOusIy
Goldfe raised a quizzical eye
brow. The Chief fidgeted nerV-
ously in his chair.
We'll, everything's' okay UP
my alley, Goldie," he said, fl.
nallv.
'Yeah?"
Eyes"
"Ain't nothin' botherin' your
-conScience?"
Not thing. Goldie," but the
chiefs gaze did not meet that OF
the gangster general. Instead,
he jumped from his chair and
began to march the floor.
He halted in front of Goldie,
who sat as calm as ever, putting
at his cigarette.
t Come on, Goldie-what's the
gag? You got q uawk-What
; Is it?"
why. you surprise me. chief"
amiably rejoined Goldie. IT just
come up for a nice little chat.
thought maybe you'd be glad to
see me. Me and you's been good
friends all along-right"
Sure, Goldie."
well, then. what makes you
feel that ! have any particular