The Coolidge examiner., 1931-12-25

other is that | sat at the next table,
between him and the door. Then,
also, was interested in him. 1t Oc-
Cured to me that he was in the
same boat | was, and that amused
me. SO | was observing him and
specializing"
The lieutenant beckoned to the
sergeant.
Take the names and addresses
of these people and then release
them. Take all the license num-
bers before you let their cars go.
We may want some of these peo-
pie to check up with. But, mis-
ter, I'll take a chance with you. The
rest of you may go, but remember If
one of you tries TO cheat it may be
unpleasant. Play fair, and | will.
A place like this doesn't have so
many innocent people in it night by
night, but ordinarily that's not my
business. Play fair. and you'll prob
ably never hear from me again. Try
| ~ SuGdI Llcf anu 9Oui huSDoiAN VI
wife or your cousins and aunts may
learn of it Let them 60, Mike. Mis-
ter. will you come into the office
here with me? I'm taking a chance
on you, as you see"
It's all right with me-let's see
i don't recognize police insignia
how should say-those scared
boys called you chief"
I'm Lieutenant Stanton, and |
don't mind telling you the only rea-
son | was in that squad car was be-
cause it was running me home. And
I'm glad | was. What the squad
would have done with this case
makes me uneasy TO think of it. But
that's nothing you're much inter
ested in, mister"
But | am interested in it," said
the man as they went into the res
taurant office.
The manager of the Dutch Mill
came to the door.
We'll not disturb anything here"
said Lieutenant Stanton, land we're
not enforcement officers. I'll want
you later. Stick around. but get out
and close that door. Now, mister,
why are you interested in the way
| handle a police job?"
Because saw that you knew
those poor amateurs did not do it."
That's no compliment" said
Stanton. ANY copper with any
sense would have seen in a minute
that they hadn't done it."
But a lot of coppers would have
wanted to solve case right there" !"
you're right, mister, but | don't.
Now, mister. what's your name, if
you don't mindY
Arthur Trembly," said the man.
lit was curious that Trembly
gave his name. Stanton later could
not explain it. 1t might have been
due TO his confidence in himself, 10
some egotistic qualification in seem
ing to assist the police in their in
quiry into a murder he had com
mitted or prOcured-which of the
two never was diScovered-to indif
ference. carelessness or natural as
Surance. Whatever Influenced him
it was a part of the impulse or de
sign which led him TO volunteer in
formation when he could have re
mained unnoticed among the other
detained patrons 1t was cool be-
havior and inasmuch as fate had
him on another string it had no con
sequence for him.l
Resident of Chicago" Stanton
asked.
Been almost everywhere in the
world. but this is my first time III
Chicago"
"Well, Arthur" said the lieuten-
ant, "go ahead and justify me in
letting all those other fellows go and
relying on you"
when people call me Arthur, "
said Trembly, they usually call me
Buck, and if they don't know me
well enough to call me Buck, they
don't know me well enough to call
me Arthur"
Buck, | may never know you
we'll enough to call you what you
ought to be called, but III light a
! cigar and listen to you for while
to find out for myself whether again
I've been a d-n fool or an intelli-
gent guardian Of the public peace.
You know what | want to know,
Buck. Shoot it."
Trembly said he had particularly
noticed Clayton, if that was his
name, because both were waiting
for a person or persons to join them.
For most people, particularly in
such a place as the Dutch Mill with
its high note Of merrymaking, il
was an uneasy posture to maintain
confidently. It's embarrassment OF
!! boredom prOtruded. 1t made the
person self-consciOus as a rule
} Trembly had been waiting for man
and two women and had been given
a table for four.
THE man I'd known elsewhere,
he explained. "He was my reason