The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-01-31

Tt was a bit cold driving over,
 Charming accepted as Vivienne ig.
 nored the producers garrulousnes. and nodded to Jimmy Crane.
 Hey, Sadiel Where's that cork screw?" Klein called to his secre- tary. All right. Close the door. Tn in conference, understand"
 Shall I tell them-the rest about Kronberg?" Charming asked Vivienne. She shrugged and he did so, briefly. Under the circum- stances, I thought that Viv had best be here"
 Sure" said Klein. Four mind; is better than none at all. And We gotta decide something. Now let's see. We got Channings story, and /, Jimmy's speech is ready. As for what I been doing, the committee reports a flop. Kronberg beats it to Philadelphia, and then goes to see Aileen. For all I should know about it, he might have seen Sadie Kohn. The guy just didn't tell me"
 "Aileenl" Vivienne sprang up. "What-Where is she noW?"
 Always wait for your cue, kid~ Klein beamed indulgently. Accord ing to schedule, she's feedin' tea to the head of a home for cripples and the Big Perfume Poppa. By the way, Jimmy, you missed a bet. Why didn't you think O Miss San- ta ClaEs givin' presents to them cripples? Or are you givin' Gluck the goods, and passin' me stage money?"
 Speaking of Santa Claus" said Crane, just what's the answer to this?" He had dropped in at the Ambassador to get the Christmas card
 "Adrasteia again?" asked Chan ming. T wonder if Krenberg could not tell us who the goddess is"
 T imagine he could make a guess Jimmy agreed with him. Just the same, I doubt if he's sure Unless my theory's completely wet, that's why he went to question Vivienne and Aileen I think what the man is trying to 6o is make sure before he acts He wants to find out about Aileen and either pin it on her, or be satisfied that she's not the girl and go after someone else. What are you going to do, Vivienne? About answering him, I mean?"
 With a defiant glance at Chan ming, she said she did not know. What would all of you suggest?"
 That you answer nothing-for the present anyway" Charming took her up. Then he turned to Crane. "Is Kronberg still at the Ambassador"
 1 No said Jimmy. T asked, just now. He registered this morning and checked out this afternoon"
 That would suggest that he found out whatever he wished to know"
 Where do you get that bright idea?" Klein asked disgustedly. Even I'd have the sense to leave after I'd showed my hand Hasn't he fixed it so both the girls prac- tically have to answer him, or ad- init whatever he thinks? Now, take this theatre business. He offers Aileen and Vivienne both a person al appearance. Amt it natural to jump at the chance? If they don't then what's the answer? And the fact that Charming high-hats that guy don't help matters any" "Aileen can claim that Gluck won't let her" Jimmy reminded him. And Charming hasn't ad- mitted that Vivienne is his model. "A lot of good that does. Kron- berg knows it-and what does he care for Gluck? Besides, he'd say : yes in a minute, and Kronber9 knows it. Now you take it from me-and it's true-if they don't show up at his opening, he'll be
 wise that they're scared" You mean that you want us to?" asked Vivienne, visibly uneasy You know that Dwight changed the features on the proscenium ? canvas"
 "Ain't that in itself suspicious?'
 Klein replied to Crane. Was he hiding something, maybe? And i: there something besides a contract makes Aileen wear that mask
 Maybe all that aint important, and 1, again, maybe it is"
 I'm inclined to think you're : right" Charming had been consid. ering as the producer spoke. What.
 ever we think about Kronberg, tn; : man has intelligence
 You said it" Max Klein agreed : When that guy goes after some. ' thing, he gets it or knows why. |