Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-21
MANHATTAN NIGHT "a
81; N . "".- "'..' WOW NYMaM
BY Waliaas Almon Wolf

lucky; thi-is Is my lucky day." Charley
was grooming. ''When'd you eat last,
Pete?"
Breakfast" said Peter, and realized,
rather TO his disgust, that he was
hungry.
Same here, said Charley. you
If you like" said Peter. Where
shall we go?"
1t seemed to Peter that even Martha
in her most finicky mood had never
been harder to please in the matter Of
choosing a restaurant. But there was
a reason for Charley's fastidiousness.
He wanted to avoid all places where
policemen and newspaper men might
be expected to appear, and equally any
place favored of Peters friends. But
He settled finally on Billy the oyster
mans.
Peter had a silly. young feeling that
he was being disloyal to Martha as he
thoroughly enjoyed his Cape Gods and
the blood-red steak that followed them.
But he knew that if any one could
tempt Martha to eat this night it would
be Manuel, and there was a certain
satisfaction in the thought that she
had found shelter, no matter how
temporary it might be, in his rooms.
He wondered if she had realized how
he had taken to heart her lightest word
about those rooms of his: if she had
observed that the wall paper she hadn't
liked had been replaced; if she had
seen the McBey etching she had ad
mired one day in dealers window and
that he had gone around and bought
Immediately after leaving her and then
hadn't dared to give her, because it
had cost too much. He had always
hoped he could some day.
His own appetite was quickly salts
fled Not SO Charleys. 1t was easier
to understand Charley's size after Sit
ting opposite him at dinner They'd
ordered a steak intended for three, and
Charley had asked no odds when it
came TO disposing of his shares. After
ward he had pie la mode, and he
drank cup after cup of coffee. Nor
was he ready to move on even then;
he sat back, replete, and lighted one
Of his inevitable cigars.
Easy does it. Pete" he said. There's
a chance-II tell you that much. But
it's touch and CO."
But II you know" cried Peter, in
an agony of Impotence.
"I think know" corrected Charley.
THAT amt the same thing, and, even
If did know-how many times have /
gotta tell you that In this business it
amt what we know that counts, but
what we can prove? Connolly don't
know the madam bumped Thayer off
but he's pretty damn sure he can prove
she did. And he wouldn't trade that,
even up, for what know this minutei''
"But--thats fantastic!" cried Peter.
do you mean he'd arrest some one he
knew was innocent just because he had
a case for jury?"
"Oh, wouldn't go that far-not
quite" said Charley. Connolly amt
such bad egg But get this, Pete. This
business is like any other-you're
judged by results. A copper's business
is to pinch some one when they's been
a crime ommitted-murder, larceny,
arson, what have you. The commits
sioner expects 1.-THE mayor expects
1.-THE people that elect the mayor that
gives the commissioner his job expect It,
Connolly knows that, and he's acted
accordin' TO what he knows. That's
why he's an inspector. He don't think
any more of that job an what goes
with 1t-never forget what goes with it,
Pete-than he does Of one Of his own
eyes.
"Connolly's out for himself-just
like 1 am. Know how he got his big
chance? BY dom what I'm tryin' to do
on this case right now-workin' behind
the back of the guy that had the Job
then that he's got now, goin' over his
head, doin' everythin' he could, on the
side, to show up them that was above
him. An because he was a smart guy
he got away with 1t. If I'm smart
enough I'll get away with it this time.
If I'm not-well, I'll be lucky to be
back In uniform next week, without
gettin' broke into the bargain"
IT see," said Peter. You're just out
for what you can gets that right?
You didn't start all this because you
saw that woman was getting a raw
deal?"
"Mush!" said Charley. "You make
me sick Amt it enough to be noonin'
about this dame the way you are your
self without tryin' to make out she's
got me gaga too? You make another
crack like that and I'll tell Connolly
where she's hidin' out"
Yes, you Will" said Peter. give got
your number"
Don't you get to feelin' too good,
Pete" said Charley, more soberly. I'VE
amt out of the woods yet" He looked
at his watch. Time we was movin'
on though, at that"
4Tn b Continusd.l -.