The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-05
Gems Of Peril 4, q =: e.
, OH 81 Ma NlaR Inc

all attention, waiting to be sig
nailed for.
He held up his finger, and Mike
came swiftly forward.
Check, pleased" Bowen said in
carrying voice. Mike fumbled for
his pad. Before he could find it,
Bowen whispered, Put it on the
cuff and I'll see you later. Tell
Jack tomoTows payday. I'll be
around
Mike nodded wordlessly.
Dirk said, "Tll pay" and reached
for his billfold, but Bowen held his
arm goodnaturedly.
Let it lay" he said, under his
breath. Il want to keep Welcome
on the doormat here, and as long
as I owe him money, Jack will let
me in.
I've got bunch Jack is going to
get one Of his periodic maos on at
newspaper men in general, and me
in particular, after tonight.
Every once in while he gets
the notion that it's the newspaper
men that are to blame for all his
troubles, and refuses to let one on
the premises. I don't want that to
happen right now"
Mike would have moved off, but
Bowen detained him.
rs that him?" he asked softly.
eyes. Yes. I tell him. Thank
you'll" Mike answered, making sig
nificant facial contortions, and
paIming a coin Bowen handed him.
He hurried away before any more
could be said.
GO one of those men was the Fly!
- Mary had become adept in read
ing Mikes peculiar form of sign
language, and, no wonder. for his
pantomime wa5 more exaggerated
than subtle.
AS an actor, Mike was pretty
much Of a "mugger." AS long as
he kept his back turned to the
enemy, however, he was safe.
Dirk said, "Ready?" Mary. DOW
dering her nose, nodded.
"All right Gloria" Bowen said
meaningly. They all got up and
moved toward the door, Dirk lead
ing, Mary following, and Bowen
bringing up the rear.
Mike leaped into action with ex-
aggerated Servility, coming forward
to open the door and said, Good
night"
Whether by design or not he was
almost at Mary's side, and directly
between her and the three seated
men, as she walked to the door.
NO one of the men at the table
moved. The same strange paralysis
seemed to hold them that had
grlpped them that afternoon.
But their eyes followed the de-
parting trio with almost hypnotic
attention all the way to the door
once outside, Mary sagged against
Dlrk's arm. But when he looked
at her sharply, in quick fear mat
she was about to faint, he saw that
she was shaking with silent laugh
ter.
Historical! He gripped her arm
tightly and snarled at Bowen. II
nope to God you're satisfied"
Honey, I'm not having Mysteries.
honest!" Mary giggled. TITS lust
the let down. 1 never was so thrilled
IN my life! Wouldn't have missed
it for anything!"
Perhaps it will amuse YOU to
know there was nothing to miss
Dirk said sharply. you don't be-
lleve all this claptrap do Won?
Three drummers from Terre Haute
or some such place, making the
rounds of the speakeaSies, and YOU
let this clown feed you a wild story
about murdererS and jewel-robbers.
You've been reading too much Ed
gar Wallace, Bowen. Keep it to
yourself after this, will you?"
DOWEN turned white. but wheth-
ID err with anger or shame, Mary
could not tell.
Have it your own way" he said
quietly. Good night, Miss Hank
ness. If there's ever anything I can
do" He lifted his hat. Undecided
what to say or do, Mary kept dis
creetly silent, but her eyes pleaded
an apology.
Dirk gripped Mary's arm and led
her to the curb where his coupe
stood. Several car-lengths away
stood Bowen's rattletrap. He started
to go toward it, then turned and
came up to the coupe and leaned
through the open window.
TO Be COntinued)