The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-12-23

not go to the Evening Post office meeting Jim Paxton. Bannister was not in a mood for conversa- ton, even with an old friend like Paxton. At police headquarters he'd learn what was going on with out wasting any time.
 He strode up the steps and made his way to the detective bureau. McNeal was not in his office. A detective whose name Bannister dld not know informed him that the captain was out of the build ing.
 'Know when he'll be back" Bannister asked.
 The detective did not.
 Bannister fingered. sitting on a corner of a desk. Understand the girl hasn'tsconfessed yet?"
 It was question, though not phrased as one. The other man said, "and McNeal's sore. We've got some more dope on her, though. Her name's Juliet France and she's from Chicago.
 Bannister's right eyebrow el- evated, indicating interest.
 We found that out over at the Fremont where she was reg istered," the detective conflded. Personally I can't make the dame out at all. Either she's dumb as they come or she's damned smart"
 'I agree with you," Bannister said heavily. Anything new turn up this morning7"
 Nothing except that other pris- oner in the murder case, Scurlach, tried to brain guard this morn ing"
 Sure. Went after him like a wild man. I didn't see it myself but they say this guard had brought Scurlach his breakfast and came back for the dishes. He was whistling tune and when he opened the cell door Scurlach made Q grab for him. The guard yelled but before the turkey got there Scurlach had him down to the floor pounding him. The turn key managed to get them separat- ed"
 What was it all about?"
 Well, it sounds crazy to me but Scurlach claimed he thought the guard was kidding him. Because of the tune he was whistling."
 "Oh," said Bannister. What was the tuner
 Listen sCarlotta.' They say it's one of the songs Tracy King used to sing. Kinda funny, isn't it?"
 Bannister agreed that it was. He arose and strolled to the press room but there was no one about. For half an hour longer he waited. McNeal did not appear and at the end of that time Bannister grew restless and left the building.
 He walked toward Sixth street more because of habit than any other. reason, A clock in the window of building he passed in formed him that it was after three o'clock. He considered ways in which to spend an hour before go- ing back to headquarters. There were the movies = but Bannister had lost his taste for movies. He could go to the Eveninf Post office, but decided against it. He might drop in at book store. Yes. he'd do that.
 Hawley's was only block and a half away. Having decided on his destination, Bannister walked more rapidly. Books, he decided, were what he needed. There were half a dozen new vol tunes he'd meant to look up. If Hawley's didn't hacve them he'd put in an order. Books were the thing, all right. Solid. Satisfying. Always the same. He'd get that new one of Aldous Huxley's to read to-night.
 He passed millinery shop and something in the window caught his eye. A green hat. It's hue was the same as the hat Juliet France had worn. Vivid but becoming. Canister drowned at the thought and hurried on.
 He reached the street intersec- tion just as the lights changed from green to red. Bannister waited impatiently, although there was no reason why he should ob- ject to the delay.
 A small man approached and halted beside Bannister, also wait ing for the lights to change. He had on gray topcoat. immacu- lately pressed but rather worn. His black hat was creased In the center. The little mans shoulders stopped slightly. He wore specta- cfes and his hair was quite gray.
 All this Bannister took in in casual glance and then he stepped forward.
 "Why, MT Hollister!" he ex- claimed. T didn't recognize you"
 The pale eyes behind the specta- cles lifted. For an instant they stared, startled; then the little man smiled. "Hello," he said. re- member you. You're the young fel- low who came out to see us so late the other night. I'm afraid l don't remember the nafne-"
 "Bannister," the other told him. David Bannister."
 "Oh, yes," Matthew Hollister tok a step nearer. 'I'm glad I met you, MT Bannister,' he said. i've been wanting to talk to some one"
 There was something in the tone rather than in the words them selves that arrested Bannister's at-