The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-22
&s UNKNOWN! BLOND
By Isyrs Lou eROOKNAN ee Ss sseNcx

characterized him seemed to dis
appear.
I'd" He hesitated, then went
on more boldly. I'D like beer"
Make it two" Bannister told the
waitress. Wait a minute - what
kind do you have?"
The waitress told him and Ban
Mister made a selection. Matthew
HOLSTER, without much urging, was
persuaded TO have a sandwich also.
The girl disappeared and a few
minutes later was back with the
food and beer.
HOLSTERS pleasure was evident.
He raised the glass to his lips and
drank deeply. N.Y." he said with
sigh Of satisfaction, that's good
beer!"
It wasn't, particularly, but Ban
Mister wanted to encourage his
guest. I'm glad you like it" he
said. smiling.
COMEHOW. holding his glass and
y looking so childishly pleased
Matthew HOLSTER was more pa
thetic than ever. The pale eyes be-
hind the spectacles became confid-
ing.
You know" he said, Il don't
drink beer often. Melvina doesn't
like it. She's as much against beer
as she is against whisky and hard
liquor. Strong drink is what she
calls them and they're all the same
70 her. Of course, in a way she's
right. I don't hold that a man
should make slave of himself to
alcohol. No sir! But a glass Of
beer now and then-well, I don't
see that it does much harm and it
certainly tastes mighty goodl"
Once more he raised the glass to
his lips and drank Bannister re-
membered what Mrs. Kennebec had
said about Melvina HOLSTER man
aging her own and her brothers
joint income. Was it possible Mel
vina's hold on the purse strings was
so close that 10-cent glass of beer
was, for her brother. a rare treat?
Matthew was enjoying his beer
nevertheless. He set the glass down,
rested his arms on the table, and
leaned toward Bannister. I'm glad
I met you this afternoon, Mr.. Ban
mister" he said There are some
things I want to talk to you about.
Are you a detective?'
Bannister fastened TO explain
that, strictly speaking, he was not.
He was working on the King muir
der case, however, making a sort of
private investigation.
The explanation seemed to sat-
iSfy Hollister completely. That's
all wanted to know" he said.
You're the man want to talk
to-"
rs it something about the King
case?" Bannister asked.
yes and no." said Matthew Hol-
lister. 1T may be, and then again
I may be mistaken. It's about my
sister, Melvina, really"
Bannister was suddenly inter-
ested. Your sister?" he repeated.
THE little man nodded. Il think
l. Melvina knows something she's
keeping to herself. And it isn't
natural for her to be close -mouthed.
No sir! If Melvina thinks anything
she says it right out, so nobody can
misunderstood her"
What makes you think she's
keeping something to herself now?"
Bannister asked.
I'll tell you" Matthew HOLSTER
said. I'll tell you all about it.
It's been worrying me a heap these
last few days and I'll be glad to
know what you think Of it,
He took a bite of his sandwich,
then went on. "Melvina told you
she was visiting my cousin the night
that young fellow was killed up
stairs. Well, she was. But she got
back fifteen minutes later than she
told you. 1t was GAS when she
came in the apartment. I know
because I had the radio going and
the 'SaXophone Sizzlers' had just
begun their program. had to turn
it off" He looked at BanniSter
alphabetically L listen to the
'SaXophone Sizzlers' when I'm
alone he went on. 'Melvina
doesn't like them"
To Be Continued