The Coolidge examiner., 1934-11-09
HOT STUFF
8
By FLOYD McCRACkEN
& MrclaFv Srwsps ees Bypaseats
W&C asrflre


lie had not known the Skeei long
or comfortably. and with him. even
here in the speakasy. the boy felt
impeilefi 10 conceal his Identity.
Though. goodness knows. no one
here IN the city ever would rccag
n.Ee him.
The Skeel was speaking
"IIs bot stun. Y'uuderrtaudf
Hoil" The Skeet mutterud. pccrlng
impreNs.vely from sllts % eyes ln.
70 the agiiated face of the youth
sitting across the narrow service
table
II Dan alnehed g., was against his
viii.
~Y'u ain, Set,In' frosted ioes1
That's the h--l ~ sou Kids No
nerve II the Skect knew one
thing well q vas how to handle his
man.
NO. no. Dan rushed 20 deny.
Not cold feet. SEee' Irs nothing to
iae bu, Job you know. You give
me ihe-the suitcase and dye
spot take the suitcase 10 the
mayors house"
just that easy The Skeet eascd
back ia hls chair with obvious re-
LIEF and satisfaction. An after that
scram, see7 Scram an forget I'm
leayiu' town myself. Coin out on
my yacht"
The two rose tcuseiy.
Dan accepted neat brown suit.
case gIngerly.
The older man slipped the boy a
eve dollar bin. az the same time re-
peaiIng directions and muttering a
dual warning.
An none % your funny stun.
The gangs wise and II you don't
earn that Aver"
The Skect left Dan 10 imagine
the dark consequence OF failure.
X was nine O'Clock.
The errand must BE- completed be
fore midnight.
Plenty of time. Dan decided. but
the sooner II was over the better.
lie did no, question the nature ot
bis burden. though the Skeei never
had discussed that with him.
Alone In the night. the boy shlv.
erred with revulslon.
For an instant he was tempted to
turn the thing over 10 the police.
but only for an instant
Thoughts ~ the Skeers gang
quickly drove away that idea.
lie glanced nervonsly over his
shoulder 20 see II he might be fol
lowed as be boarded a street car.
Finding a seat alone. he held the
suitcase carefully on his knees un.
81 4 policeman came and sat beside
him.
II seemed unnatural 20 be hold
ing the thing 10 this manner.
Dan was afraid the officer might
notice and ask questions, so be
showed bis burden carefully under
the seat.
"MotiusT the policeman asked.
smiling with warm frlendliuess as
be glanced toward the disappearing
suitcase.
Yes, yes. moving. Dan NUT.
tered deeply.
He feli weak. partly from hunger.
partly from fear. Hot stun" the
Skeet had warned.
From the country. aren't your
the officer asked.
Dan didn't want TO talk 10 any
body. least of all TO policeman.
How could a cop tell just by
looking at him that he was from
the country?
Excuse me. my street" the boy
blurted. boiling suddenly from the
car with his precious suitcase.
He felt the surprised glance OF
the officer bore into his back as
he hurried down the aisle. lie was
glad when be reached the street.
lie had gained one thing at least
by making his sudden move.
No one else left the car with
him, and he felt sure that II he
had been followed he now had shak-
en- pursuit.
Dan glanced at the suitcase.
II was an ordinary oblong AFFAIR
with brown leather finish. Neat but
cheap.
Nothing about II 10 attract atten-
ton Nothing on the outside 10 iden.
ufy II.
Signaling the next outward-b bound
car, he climbed aboard apprehen-
slyely.
What he feared he did not know,
but he was relieved when a quick
survey revealed no policeman
aboard.
The car was almost filed.
Dan skunk into a seat beside
halfsleeplng man he judged 10 be
seaman. and slid the suitcase
carefully under the seat.
4 newsboy working through the
car spread paper before Dams
eyes. and the youths heart jumped
into his mouth as he read:
MAYOR DEFIES STRIKERS