The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-06-01

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there"
Right! The quicker they get
up there the better, from the looks
Of it,"
Sergeant Davis said, "Mr. Rem.
ton, do you know who" when
the sound Of a receiver clicking
into place told him that the man
at the other end had hung up.
Within a few seconds police
headquarters was speaking direct
to moving car. The vigilant
ears Of the two officers who &C.
cupied 1t, and were peering out
watchfully into the, stormy night,
heard the police radio announcer
give their number, and tell them
to go at once to the scene Of the
trouble.
Forbidding
In less than five minutes the
two officers, Murphy and@Larkin,
leaped from the police CT at the
door Of 784, and reused 4 sleepy
colored elevator boy, whose eyes
bulged in panic at sight Of the
two burly figures in blue.
Officer Larkin spoke laconically,
els there penthouse on this roof,
boy?"
'Yassuh, yassuh."
well, take us up there, and
step on It'll"
AS the elevator scared swiftly
skyWard, the boy rolled his eyes
at them, and asked timidly, Amt
nothin' wrong up to Mr.. Vane's,
is they, suh?"
"Oh!" said the officer, $50
that's who lives there, is it? No
other tenant?" and he studied the
boy quietly but carefully.
What we saw was interesting,
yet strangely forbidding-the boy
at the controls of the elevator
was unusually broadShouldered
and powerful of build even for
his race, which is noted for
strength. His ebony face was at
once sullen and childishly attrac.
tive-he might either be brutal,
or gentle as a child. From out
ward appearance it was impoS.
sible to judge.
whats your name, boy?"
asked Larkin.
Robert e. Lee Jackson, Suh"-
in the soft drawl Of the South
but they most all call me Lee"
"Okay. Lee. Now, where are
you from?"
Atlanta, Georgia, suh."
worked here long?"
bout six months, Suh."
who is in Mr.. Vanc's family?"
Jus Mr.. Vane and his wife.
She's mighty pretty, LOOKOUT
the prettiest white lady I ever
did see. Oh, man, I'll say sol"
'That'll do" said Larkin-then,
as the elevator came to a stop,
he added. YOU'D better wait"
They stepped out, and Murphy
rang the bell at the door the boy
indicated. There was 40 answer
to their prolonged ringing, al
though lights were plainly dis
cernable under the door.
Officer Murphy laughed.
They're all out-or all dead"
he said cheerfully. Larkin took
no notice Of him. All Murphy's
fellow officers were used to his
carelessly gay attitude toward
life-or death. Got key?"
Larkin snapped to the colored
boy.
"YaSsuh," tremblingly.
Hurry then. Let us in this
door," But by this time the boys
hands were shaking so as to
render him incapable of any prac-
tical assistance. The officer
snatched the keys from him with
a gesture that implied anger and
suspicion.
Murphy" he said grimly,
keep an eye on this bird. I
don't like the way he's acting"
He got the door open, and they
walked into a brightly lighted
foyer. A wide doorway, directly
opposite, disclosed through the
draped portieres a large room or
studio. which was dark save for
a reading lamp on a small table
in front of the fireplace. In a
large armchair a man was
slumped, having apparently fallen
asleep over book.
PuZzling
Officer Larkin spoke. to him,
but he did not wake. He then
touched him on the shoulder with
no result, so he shook him VIC.
lently, but still could not rouse
him.
II told you they'd all be dead, {"
said Murphy in a pleased voice.
Put drunk after dead and
you'll be nearer right" answered
Larkin.
He tilted back the head of the
unconscious man, and pushed up
one eyelid with his thumb. AS he
did so, the man choked, coughed,
opened his eyes. and sat up.
What's up?" he asked Sleepily.
That's what we came to find
out" said Murphy.
Sorry we had to come in like
this" said Larkin, but we
couldn't get an answer when we
rang. Headquarters had a report
that there was fight going on
on your roof"
A look of absolute puzzlement
spread over the others face. Then
he seemed to wake fully for the
first time, and to get his bearings
What the hell's the matter