The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-12-05

"You can't keep him here!" the gil a door opened ahead of them and Q dark figure appeared.
 Cunningham" Gainey ex- claimed. Where is she?"
 The man in the dark suit nod ded. "In there,' he said. Steve Fishers talking to her.
 Did you see her? Talk to her? Did Sid get any pictures?"
 Sure. I gave the whole story to Austin over the phone. They've had her husband here all morn- ing. only they didn't let anyone know it."
 "Her husband?" It was Bannis- ter who cut n'sharply.
 They're trying to get a confess sion from him." Cunningham went on as though he hadn't heard. "but they'll never do it. That guys toe dumb to pull a murder"
 "Say, wait minute!" The dim inutive Gainey's voice rasped harshly. "I'd like to know what this is all about. This morning we had the murder pinned on an un- known blond damsel. Now you say they've got her husband"
 The older man regarded him for moment. That's another one," he said shortly. "oh, they're still looking for her. This dame's an usher at the State. Name is Car lotta Scurlach - ain't it. a peach? Her husbands Herman Scurlach. Last night they found a letter Scurlach wrote to King, threaten ing to get him if he sang a cer- tain song again. The guy, Scur- lach, is jealous of this crooner, see? And the name of the song is "Listen, Carlotta"-the same name as ScurlAch's wife. There was a lot of other stuff in the letter about how King had better leave the g1ri alone. We'll, last night King did sing the song-at the first perform ance. He left the theater after that and he never came back"
 we know all about that" Gainey interrupted. "How about the letter? Did you see it"
 Cunningham nodded. "Sid took a picture of 1t. Got one of the girl. too, when they brought her in. She's darned pretty. Spanish, I guess, or maybe Italian. Dark hair and eyes"
 "So we've got a brunei but the blond's still out" Gainey inter rupted. "Say, where's Henley? The Boss says we've got to get the description of that other girl"
 The door at the end of the cor ridor opened then and an officer in a blue uniform stepped out. Suddenly, with a rush, smaller figure was beside him. A figure in red and black and tan. A figure stamping and shaking defiant fists and bursting into a torrent of highpitched hysterical protests.
 But you cant keep him here" the girl cried. You've got to let him go! He's my husband. He never hurt anybody. You've got to let him go. Herman's a good man. Just because he loves me you want to take him away. But you can't do it!" This is free country and I'll fight. I'll show you where you big buns get off! Such nerve you've got! I'll show you" The policeman put hand over the girls mouth - and instantly withdrew it.
 "You little devil!" he exclaimed, holding up the blood-stained fin ger. "Quiet down now or you'll go into cell-and stay there!" "I won't! I won't" screamed the girl. This is a free country-!" It was Gainey who stepped for ward. "Listen,' kid he said. "may- l be you'd like to tell me about it. I'm from the Post and I certainly want to see that you and your hus- | hand get a square deal" Whatever Gainey may have ex- pected, his words had an instant and surprising effect. Carlotta | Scurlacl's dark eyes widened. Then her carmined lips closed to- gether firmly. She looked at Gainey but no words came from those lips.
 They walked down the corridor. Gainey at the girls side. "Pd like to hear your side of all this," he was saying.
 officer told him bluntly. "She won't talk to you. told her when she came here she wouldn't have to talk to reporters" They disappeared down the stairs. Bannister and Cunningham remained to eye each other. I Cunningham said apologetically. Are you a new man?" Bannister nodded. Within the past few minutes he had exper- fenced such a complete emotional let-down that he felt almost giddy. He had come racing to headquar- ters from the newspaper office. thinking he would find Juliet France there. Juliet France. ar- rested for murder! He could not explain, even to himself. the tight ness in his throat that picture had evoked. He had wanted to help the girl, had promised to help her. and he had failed. The extent of that failure was completely humil- iating. It was worse. Now, after seeing the dark-eyed. shrewdish Carlotta, Bannister felt such relief that it was comfort to steady one hand against the wall.
 "Yes," he said, "Tm working on the Post temporarily. Bannister's my name. Used to work here years ago."
 "Know your way around this placer"
 q think so."
 Gainey re-appeared then. bound ing up the steps, as usual. two at a time. ''Wow!" he said," What a handful that dame isl" Cunningham said. ''If you two are going to stay I guess I'll beat 1t back to the office.
 70. K" agreed Gainey. Tell AAstin I'll call in half an hour."