The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-12-18
Chapter %
TANGLED THREADS

IAN1L U l n n AUD
 IN the pier office Curt called the l Marlin home. talked briefly with AK, promised him a report later that evening, and sent Smash out there.
 At Mounted headquarters he found Holden and Inspector Bald win in the latter's private office, polishing their plans for narcotic raid that night. When he knocked and ent in, Baldwin looked around and saw him.
 Hello, Curt, old mani" He got up, shook hands warmly. Holden and have been wondering how you were making out. But l say, where's our friend Karakhan? We fancied that when you showed up you'd have him in tow" He made Curt take his swivel chair and showed him the cigarettes.
 Curt was surprised at his friend Illness, so different from his resent ment two weeks ago. Something had brought about a complete change of heart
 He took a cigarette and lit it from Baldwins S match. "Oh, I'm letting Karakhan run loose little longer while I follow up a side lead, Arn. If you're not too busy I'd appreciate some help"
 (Which you'll get. Holden, take over this hop raid"
 Holden nodded and went out to the squad room. Across the desk Curt sketched his work at Tellacet, at Russian Lake, and his trip up the Lilluar.
 Why l came down here to Van couver. Arn," he explained, "Tve got to get complete data on Ralph Nichols and Sonya, and I'd like for you to help me. We won't have much trouble with Nichols. He's from Vancouver; I saw the labels on his clothes and outfit. Here's a roll of films; you'll find two snaps of him on 1.-the man with the cap. When we place Nichols, we'll go after his acquaintances and get ev- arything we can.
 Baldwin scratched notes on a pad. Curt went on:
 "We may have more trouble with Sonya 1 don't know her last name or where she's from; but I've got four snaps of her in that roll, and l think that when We once place Nieh- ols it'll be easy to get lead on her. They're close friends and should have mutual acquaintances."
 Right" Baldwin agreed. He pressed a button and Mounted constable came in. "Otis, take this roll of films and have prints in half an hour. Don't fuzzle this" He turned to Curt. While Pm working on Nichols, you can be reporting to AK. My cars outside. Take it."
 Thanks. Arn. I'll go now"
 Baldwin walked out to the curb with him. "Old man." as he gave Curt the keys, T read that letter you wrote AK from Tellacet."
 'He showed it to you?"
 "Yes. l say, it was damned gener- ous of you to tell him that helped pick up Karakhan's trail. didn't have blighted thing to do with it, except to sit back and feel cocksure you'd fail. acted small then, and I've been wanting to say so." CURT was glad he had put that 0 sentence into his report. A few generous words. costing nothing, had wiped out hard feelings and made Baldwin his old friend again.
 By the way" Baldwin remarked offhand, Helen Mathieson has men, toned you several times. If you get a chance. call her up and say hello, won't you? You never told me-uh, what you thought of her"
 "She took me real surprise. Arn. I thought she was as llkaDle ana sweet girl as I'd met in a long time.'
 Pm glad to hear you say that. Just because she-uh, associated with Karakhan, most people think she's of a sort with him. don't un- derstand what the women like in the fellow but he's certainly got way with them. She's pulling out of it."
 "I'm glad she's forgetting. You've seen her since l was here?"
 "We-uh, take an evening drive now and then. Yes. she's forgetting; but what I'd like. Curt. is for her to have the whole truth about him. She knows about his swindle game here in Vancouver; and excuses 1t. in way; but she's never heard a whis- per about Buenos Aires and those other incidents. She wouldn't ex- cuse those chapters"
 You know as much as I do; why don't you tell herr"