Evening star., 1934-09-04
CHAPTER XIII.

~ pagnol. His bones ached, hi;
4 \ head throbbed with fever and
he sneezed so miserably that
Mrs. Connell dosed him with hot
lemonade and put him to bed with q
red flannel around his throat. HI
was awakened from his uneasy dreams
by q persistent ringing at the front
door. The house was silent, and the
chill Of the early morning hours was
to be felt Still the doorbell rang
and Stanley swore fretfully. At last
he heard one of the maids 60 down
to answer it and after some commo-
ton his mother appeared in the
upper hall.
What is wanted?" she called down
TITS a gentleman to see Mr.. STAN
ley, Mrs. Connell."
AT this time of night? Tell him
Stanley is ILL.,"
Stanley felt a good deal of curl
osity about this late caller, and since
the scraps of conversation he had
heard had only tantalized him, he
switched on the light over his bed
and prepared to struggle into his
bathrobe to investigate.
Certainly you cannot see him" His
mothers voice was full of outraged
dignity. How dare you force your
self at this hour?"
VERY sorry" answered a voice as
IL its owner was not at all sorry.
This is his room, I suppose, since
you are trying to keep me out of it."
The next moment the man pushed
open Stanley's door. satisfied himself
with a glance that it was Stanley's
room, and then calmly locked the
door and put the key in his pocket
1t was Harrington, grim and self
assured, in spite of the ludicrous
effect of muddy trousers and q hat
and overcoat obviously made for some
one else.
Whats the matter?" gasped STAN
ley.
We'll, kid, they double crossed US,
the dirty welshers," he said. THE
place was raided tonight. I man
aged to get out, but they held the
barkeep and the fellows upstairs.
saw my mouthpiece. He says there
has been a lot of dirt stirred UP
lately and they have to make a ges-
ture. According to the dope, the place
will be padlocked."
Stanley was too stunned to get the
implications of this piece of news. He
stared at Harrington, who had COM
posedly lighted cigar, unable to be-
neve that disaster could engulf them
IT guess 1t isn't so bad as all that.
Probably the lawyer was trying to
scare you"
Harrington smiled contemptuously.
Don't kid yourself The Club Es-
pagnol is blooie. 1t would have gone
great If we had got the breaks, but
that's life. Anyhow, it wasn't our
money"
What? Won't Mrs. Mcintyre get
back what she put in, even if she
doesn't get her profit"
How can she? We took a lease
and furnished the place and used
some to sweeten the cops. Where is
place is padlocked, tell you, or will
be darned SOON"
What are you going to do? You
didn't come here just to tell me that?"
You're right, I didn't. I've got
to make getaway quick and you've
got to dig up the money for it. My
name is listed as owner. I signed
the lease. In short, I'll be in hot
water if don't get out of here"
Stanley laughed II should give
you some more money. You'd better
be talking about giving some Of it
back"
Harrington gave him a baleful look
and Stanley shivered under his bed
clothes.
Listen, you, you come across or
I'll make plenty of trouble for you.
Your name Is not on this, and it
won't be unless you make 1t neces-
sary. You are only a sap and
don't want to put you in stir unless
it does me some good. Now give me
what you've got. Collect from your
mother, too."
Stanley was uncertain how much
of Harringtons threat could be car
ried out, but he knew that the dis
closure that he, Stanley Connell, had
had any part in the organization
of gambling joint would be ruin
GUS. In prospect it had sounded ad-
venturous and bold, it had had the
glamour of pirate tales so dear to his
boyhood. He had liked to hear of
the beauty and luxury of the gam
bling rooms, of the brave men dodg-
ing death to bring the forbidden liq-
uors from Canada. Now it seemed
less like thrilling romance; it was
a dirty business from which he was
only too anxious to escape.
He went out to find his mother.
STANLEY, what are you doing out
Of bed? What does that man want?"
Listen, mother, it's a friend of
mine who is in little trouble. He
needs cash pretty badly. Will you
give me whatever you have?"
"The idea, coming here and dis
turbing you! Let him get the money
somewhere else"
Nov, mother, don't be stuffy. I
can't let a friend down, you know"
MY dear, chivalrous boy! Always
thinking Of others"
Come on, mother, make it snappy."
"An right. I'll bring it to you,
and I'll just take the opportunity to
give him piece of my mind"
mo, bring 1t here. He doesn't
feel like meeting any one now. You
understand
He collected $50 from Mrs. Connell.
Stanley himself had $50, in prepara-
ton for large evening at the Club
Espagnol and this he also turned
over to Harrington, who pocketed it
coolly and said, We'll, kid, I'll be on
my way. Be good"
He was of before Stanley could
ask any of the numerous questions
that now occurred to him, and STAN
ley went off to bed, to lie fevered
and unhappy until sleep overlook him.
In the morning, simply because he
was too miserable to remain inactive,
he insisted upon going down for
breakfast and was caught by Tootsie' s
telephone call.
Stanley, must see you. You must
come over at once"
I'm sick, Tootsie. I have a rotten
cold"
II don't care If you are dying. I
have to see you, tell you. If you
don't rOrna hare 7 uyi11 r0yoa IN xyo1I