Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-23

ing. you had an idea you wanted
something before midnight tonight,
didn't you?"
what the he'll is this-a pinch,
Mitchell?" said Benny.
You're right it's a pinch" said
"Ail right-get on with it. You
know what's comm to you for this,
don't you? You know who stand in
with, don't you?"
For sellin' liquor, Benny-sure
know. But 1t don't cover murder"
And, again, with triumph filling his
what time is it, Benny9" What
How the hell do I know what time
is it,"
''You got a watch, amt you, Benny?"
Skillfully his hands slipped over
Benny. But it was not a watch that
he brought UP first and transferred to
his own pocket, but a pistol-own
brother, by its looks, Of the one that
had killed Tack Thayer.
Buy 'em by the dozen, do you,
Benny? Come cheaper that way,
guess, don't they?"
Think you're funny, don't you?"
tive seen guys pullin' down heavy
jack that never cracked a joke as good
as this, Benny. ALI right-put 'em
down. An-what time is it, Benny?"
What time Is it2"
"Oh, for Gods sake" Benny
snatched a watch from his pocket.
Twelve ten-and be damned to your
II think that watch runs slow,
Benny. think you got better watch
than that. Come clean!"
And now, for the first time. there
was real terror, Peter saw, in the
Italians eyes. He made the movement
Of cornered animal.
mo, you don'tl" said Charley. Once
more hand plucked at Benny's pock-
cts. And this time it came out with
a thin, white watch. Peter cried out.
That's Tack Thayer's watch!" he
cried.
Peter heard something click. Benny
was standing, staring stupidity at his
handcuffed wrists.
BENJAMIN Rufano-" Peter heard a
| new note in Charley's voice. II arrest
you for the murder of Tasker Thayer
Anything you say can be used against
YOU
Peter waited in the bar. Zach,
negligent, Indifferent, leaned across the
blocked the doorway; Peter had a con-
fused impression Of people behind
| them, in the hall; of Emma's yellow
/ face, with her slanting, Mongol eyes; of
| the fat piano player; of scared wait
ers. Meyer Zahn and Ross were back
at zahn's table; Purdy, watchful, but
with an air of easy unconcern, stood
| near them.
May I ask why I am being de-
tained?" Zahn asked, silkily.
"Sergt. Mitchell wants to talk to you,
doctor" said Purdy. HE will be here
in minute or two, think"
Peter knew what Charley was doing.
Just for a minute he had been in the
small office; had seen Charley, menace
incarnate, glaring at the manacled
Italian. Then Charley had ordered
him out.
60 in with Purdy," he said. 'T'm
bit. Hold it, Pete-we're in the home
stretch now
The policemen in the doorway moved.
Mitchell came in. AS Peter looked
at him he saw triumph blazing in his
eyes for q second. Then every bit of
expression was wiped from his face;
as he crossed the room to Zahn and
Ross he was again the stupid, brutal
promoted patrolman.
pened? Know that Benny's under ar
rest for KILN Thayer?"
Ross, still-or again-in q panic
Peter saw, couldn't speak.
Ready to talk? Hey?"
Murder" said Ross, slowly. you
you mean you've arrested Benny-you
mean he killed Tack"
you know damned well he did Just
like you knew he was tryin' to frame
Thayer's wife to save his own rotten
hidel"
II didn't" Ross cried. ct swear to
God didn't L"
you lie, you rat! Where was YOU
after you left Sanborn's? When you
said you was with Rita Gould?'
Mitchell swung around, suddenly.
where was he, doc2 You answer for
himl Where was he-huh?"
. MY dear man, how should know?"
30. K. How about it, Ross?"
Ross was trying to speak, Peter
thought. But before he could Mitchell
was giving tongue again; his voice
rasped it was hoarse with triumphant
contempt
'TM tell you'll" he said. "You was in
such and such a house-tellin what
you'd been sent to find out! Tellin'
where Thayer was-tellin' where his
wife was-givin' a time-table!"
Yes-yeS-but-'
"Rossl'' Zahn's voice rang out, clear,
sharp, compelling. 1t silenced Ross for
second; he turned his hunted eyes to
stare at the Jewish doctor. But now
Mitchell had the advantage.
Damn you'll won't keep quieti"
Ross cried. His voice, as he turned back
to Charley, was desperate. ST didn't
know! I swear didn't! Murder-my
God, mol You've got to believe mel I
tell you I didn't know I'll tell you
anything you want! Zahn-he had
me-he knew something about me-he
was going TO give me away. But
didn't know why he wanted"
Hold it" Charley's voice stopped the
rush of Ross words as a stream of wa
ter is cut off when tap is turned.
That's all want from you'll You had
your chance-too late to talk to me
now. You can tell it to the D. A. if
he'll let you-that's up to him. Clancy"
One of the patrolmen from the hall
came in.
"You take this bird along-hold him
downstairs till come"
Right, sarge" His hand fell on Ross
shoulder. "On your way, fella."
"There is charge against Mr.. Ross,
them" zahn'S voice was as silky as
ever
sure. Sure" said Charley. "Con-
spiracy-for now" He leaned forward.
Once again Peter heard click. And
then Zahn, amazed, outraged, was star
ing down at his own handcuffed wrists.
How about yourself, doc? Interested
in the charge against your"
Against me?" Zahn had recovered
the poise that, for moment. he had
lost. Really, sergeant have some
small standing in this city, after
ALL