The Indianapolis times., 1934-01-13
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GOOD EVENING" Is there any
thing"
McNeal interrupted, explaining
briefly why they had come. A few
moments later he and Bannister
stood before a doorway in the sec
ond floor corridor.
NcNeal knocked, but there was no
answer. He knocked a second time,
louder. A third knock and the
captain began TO fume impatiently.
They're therel" he scolded. Link
said so. I'll"
The words died as they heard
bolt turned in the door. Then the
door opened inward slowly. Through
a slit Of not more than two inches
a voice asked sharply. Who is it?"
McNeaIs answer was prompt and
impressive. There was moment of
delay. Then the door opened wider.
Through the opening woman
peered out at them. She stepped
back and said in the same sharp
tone, you can come in
1T took an instant for BanniSter's
l. eyes to accustom themselves to
the dim light. Then he saw that
the woman before them was tall
and rather squarely built. Pale eyes
measured the two men from head
to foot. The woman's hair was
worn pompadour fashion and fas-
tened high on her head in style
of twenty-five years before. She
had a large nose, dominating the
slender face, and her thin lips were
drawn into a straight line.
you're Captain McNeal2" the
woman asked, and the captain
nodded
The pale eyes darted toward Ban
mister. Then who's hep" she de-
manded.
For an instant McNeal looked
perplexed. Then he said shortly,
Friend of mine. We'd like to talk
to you a few moments, Miss Hol-
lister. I suppose we can sit DOWN."
She notioned toward chairs, sat
down rather heavily in the nearest.
Her odd, high-pitched voice went
on sharply. "What'd you come here
for?"
McNeal looked nettled. He was
accustomed to doing the question:
ing himself. eve came" he said
crisply, to find out what you can
tell us about Tracy King, the young
man who was murdered upstairs"
"Oh!" The line of Miss Hollis
ter'S lips became straighter than
ever. There was pauSe-a mo-
ment oddly tense-and then she
went on. Il can tell you," she said,
that Tracy King was an evil man.
He INDUCED in strong drink. He
was sinful and dissipated."
Just minute" McNeal inter-
rupted. How are you so sure of all
this?"
Miss Hollister eyed him disdain-
fully. MY brother and I have lived
in this hotel since the building was
SESAAONS O44C Od4Q. WG IG IESD6C-
table, law-abiding folks. The man
ager of the building can tell you we
aren't complainerS, either. But dur
ing the last four months, since that
good-for-nothing Tracy King moved
into the apartment above, this place
has been bedlam! Bedlam!" she
repeated emphatically. Not a min
ute's sleep at night. Horn-toot-
ing and radios and jazz dancing at
all hours! Wild parties. I guess
1 know! I've got ears, haven't ~
I've got eyes. Ask me how know
a thing like that!"
IRON the infection of her voice
l. it seemed that Captain McNeal
should have wilted instantly. But
Captain McNeal did not wilt.
$50 his parties disturbed you, did
they?" he said evenly. Did you
ever speak to him about it?"
The pale eyes flashed. IT cer-
tainly did," Miss Hollister said. For
night or two its was quiet. Then
the same thing over again! What
did Tracy King care how decent,
respectable folks lost their sleep?
(T0 10 CorfsnuaIl