Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-06-15
Chapter II
OE LIE HOUSE PARTY

HO0 UT ff1G El009E ~
MALLORY finished his highball at
WI a gulp and went u into the hot
night.
Williams tossed aside a three
weeks-old copy Of a Chicago paper
and followed him. Martin remained
in his chair. silent, moody. Hamilton
found his game blocked and dealt a
new hand. He could hear the girls
clear, vibrant contralto from the
porch. The deep, resonant rumbling
in response would be Luccis.
The sound OF the airplane motors
hum changed to an uneven popping.
Those who had watched the de-
scending airplane from the porch re-
turned to the room, hoping that with
the return of the ship something
might occur to break the monotony.
Altho they were accustomed to ire
quent short flights when the amphtb-
ian departed pom brief shopping eN-
petitions, the last time it had been
absent for more tina Twelve nours,
1t had returned to add Lucci, Martin
and Williams to the trio of bored
New Workers who had been sole
guests of the large house. Now 1t
was returning from a three-day trip.
Perhaps other victims would join the
group.
Nervous. the staccato conversation
eddied back and forth.
A strange figure entered the room.
that of a tall, thin man who limped
painfully with the aid of a very
heavy stick. AS he stood in the door
way glancing about. Hamilton took
him to be an elderly man, sixty or
sixty-five years of age, perhaps. Upon
a second glance, he noted that the
pale, parchment-like features beneath
the snow-white hair We're those of a
man in his early thirties. The eyes
,mrgere young, vivid blue, and with a
S~frectness Of gaze that was almost
disconcerting. There was a cynical,
sophisticated twist to the deep lines
at the corners of the mouth q per-
petually inquiring arch to the Jutting
white eyebrows. The nose was that
OF a thinker, thin and prominent.
Good evening. One-sliot," said the
old-young man as he bowed to the
gangster. You have no idea how de-
lighted | was to learn that you had
Joined our delightful little gathering.
His deep-set eyes flickered over the
Others, finally coming 70 rest upon
the girl. who stood beside the center
table. Miss Wentworth, my apoloS-
les. 1t is an objectionable breach Of
social etiquette for a most to absent
himself while his guests are visiting
] assure you it was unavoidable.
There are many harassing details con-
nected with such a large house
party"
Amt you Limpy Ashwood?"
Lucci's voice broke the silence like
the clang of a Chinese gong.
D The stranger hobbled into the
light. Hamilton saw that his left leg
was a fun three inches shorter than
his right. His left shoe had an en-
ormously thick sole which enabled
the cripple to walk without crutches.
II am flattered that We need no
introductions, you and l." observed
Ashwood blandly.
when are you going to turn us
loose?' the gangster demanded
bluntly.
Don't tell me that you are bored
already, Mr.. Lucci!' protested the
cripple. IF any Of my staff have been
negligent, I'll give them two weeks
notice Immediately"
He turned to the girl so~licitously.
I'm sorry that | couldn't invite q
c~haperOne, Miss Wentworth, but I'm
sure that the impeccable respectable
ity Of your married companions, here.
has served equally we'll"
He beamed at the uneasy men, his
eye resting for a full second upor
Mallory. Hamilton wondered how
much he knew.
why are we here?" inquired the
girl fatty.
Miss Wentworth! Are you not en-.
joying yourself?"
She decided that if this very
strange man did not wish TO answer
questions, he was well equipped K
parry them. She studied him intently
He was obviously a gentleman.
One-shOt Lucci rose from his chai
and walked across the floor to cor
front the slender cripple. His robust
vigorous health contrasted ODDLY witt
the meager form, lined face IN
white hair of the other. Their eye
met and clashed.
I've heard all about you, Limpy,
stated the gangster, land I've bee
wanting to meet a dude who is sup
posed to run a racket just for tn
fun of 1t. So you're Limpy AshwooC
Ell? Well. you got brains and merry,
anyway, III hand that much to yol
Wen either be damn good friends {
one or the other Of usll get a spad
fun Of dirt in the face before long,
"So?" Ashwood turned away an
settled himself laboriOusly in a chat
Then he looked up at the aggressiN
figure which lowered over him. II
face bore an expression Of faint
amused interest.
yeah, that's SO. Now we all wan
know what this racket's all abou
It's a shake-down, %o'course. That
all right, but why are we still her
wouldn't our people kick in, or wha
Did the bulls get hot on you sc
you had to lamb away"
Neither one, Lucci,' replied AS
wood, patiently. Your friends al
relatives have all paid your cure
accounts very promptly. / am M
the proud and happy possessor
some 5000, 900 more than / had a she
time ago and that pays your boa
bin In fun for another ten days
two weeks. They were most gent
Gus, ! assure you" !.
Lucci whistled softly and look
down at the cripple with patent 0
mlration.
God You chiseled us right, did
you? Well, amt six hundred gra
enough? Why are you digging It
@ta US? You got enough outa o