Evening star., 1935-02-03


they we're looking for They came eventually
to the cellar.
They sweated at moving old furniture stored
there, in examining every corner using their
flashlights. Pop suddenly bent over and then
began shining his light in a circle.
What Is it?" asked Bryant.
"That's new cement answered Pop. "See.
you can see where the edges have been worked
in. Now, what the hell that for?"
"Well." said Bryant, there's only one way
of finding out"
telephone call to the precinct station house
brought picks and crowbars. They began dig
ging away at the hard cement 1t tedious,
exhausting work. but they kept at it.
When they had cleared away the cement
they began digging into the earth beneath.
DOP waited half an hour to see the dentist.
eyes, I did some work for him once"
said DR.. Chance. "But 1t was several years
ago. If I remember rightly, took some x-ray
pictures. I'll see II I still have them"
The x-ray pictures. still clear though their
cardboard holders were brittle with age, were
finally located The dentist began comparing
them He whistled softly, and turned to Pop.
"They're the same all right" he said. well.
TIL be damned. Look here, you can see those
two crowns together. And this Clipped tooth.
1 wanted to build it up but he wouldn't let
me. I remember now"
From the dentists Office Pop went to the
Merchants Trust Co. and asked for a COM
plete transcript Of the account OF Verne Norton.
An hour later Pop met Bryant and briehy
outlined what he had done and learned.
"Well, what next?" Bryant asked.
"That butler" answered Pop. wish we had
time to check this fellow Garfield. But
we haven't And 1 doubt If we'd learn much.
Unless we can land the other fellow. And the
only way we reach him is through Gar
field. BY the way, where Is hep
Bryant gave the name OF a second-rate hotel
where Garfield living.
Him." said Pop He was silent for mo-
ment. Then he said, Il wonder whether that
fellow Is lush. If he is there's chance.
Liquor hits some people funny. Listen, I'll tell
you what we'll do
Pop sat on the bed in Garfields bed room
and said, Just thought I'd stop by and see
how you were making out. Tough on a man
to lose his job. Had any luckP"
Garfield said. NO sir. Matter of fact. I
was thinking of going back to England. have
O little money saved and that's my home"
1T see Might not be bad idea at that.
We won't need you any more if that's stopping
you"
DOP reached in a pocket and brought out q
bottle. mind if 1 take drnk?" he asked.
"I've had a pretty hard day. He drank from
the bottle and then placed it on the nearby
dresser.
knock sounded on the door. 1t opened
and Bryant came in.
The captain wants to see you. Probably
wants to ask you how your feet feel. BY the
way, did you hear that that fellow Norton
didn't have dime?"
mo. I thought he supposed to be rich.
What happened to it?"
Don't ask me. That's what heard. Well.
how about trayeling?"
When they left the room the bottle Of whisky
was still standing on the dresser.
In the lobby downstairs Pop and Bryant
waited 40 minutes Then Garfield came down
and went out. They trailed him to another
hotel. After he went In Pop asked the clerk
for the number of Mr.. Simpsons room.
They approached the room on tip-toe, paused
outside the door and listened. Inside they could
hear the hoarse murmur Of voices. Then shot
sounded And then another.
Pops bulk crashed against the unlocked door.
Bryant, his pistol out. crowded through beside
him. There was smoke in the room and Gar
field was slumped on the floor
THE other man in the room turned. his face
white above a professional looking beard.
Bryant seized and disarmed him.
Get a doctor" said Pop. Bryant picked up
the phone to call the desk Pop led Garfield to
the bed Better lie down." he said. eff you
want to talk, all right. But it doesn't matter
much. I'm sorry it ended this way"
Garfield interrupted him with groan. The
other man spoke. "Is he's he dying?"
Pop said, Don't know yet. Mr.. Norton"
The beard erked. so he told you? Well.
he lied. My names Simpson. This man came
into my room demanding money and threatened
me. So shot him"
Pop said, yeah, we heard it. But we didn't
hear it, all And heard Won saw vOr name