The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-06-22

it seemed to do nothing but get
, him into trouble. He could only
think Of one more certain means
Of getting into hot water with ra
pidity and dispatch, and that was
to talk to Bobbie Nichols. Why
hadn't he thought of that before?
Yelled Threat
With determination. he picked
! up the phone again. and gave
Boobies number.
A sleepy voice answered.
Eyes," it murmured.
Hello. Bobbie! Listen. This is
Renton. Say, Bobbie, have you
heard the news?"
wv hich? And what? And
where? If it's news I've probably
heard it. Shoot"
About the murder of 1sobel
Vane last night?"
There was dead silence at the
other end-then Boobies voice,
wide awake and avidly interested,
sol" he said. "One of you
guys finally did it. I've been
| expecting it," he chuckled. You
can't fool Uncle Bobbie."
What" Renton's voice explod.
ed on the word. What do you
mean by that crack? What do
you know"
Hold your horses. old son,
came the pleased voice of Bobbie.
Il know plenty. Believe me,
I know plenty"
You would say that" Renton
was exasperated, well! Come
across. This is desperately impor-
tant to me! Tell me- what you
know"
Don't you think I know that
it's important to you?" chuckled
Bobbie. And how! And wouldn't
you like to know all know"
Renton lowered his voice to q
gently confidential tone.
Listen. Bobbie." he said, "for-
get about me-that doesn't matter
but you'd better come over here
and tell me all you know as
quickly as you can.
"Why?" countered Bobbie.
mot for my sake. but for
someone else, far more impor-
tant."
"Whose?" persisted the voice of
Bobbie.
Betty" Renton let the little
Nance fall quietly from his lips,
Betty" repeated Bobbie,
Betty? Say are you crazy. fell
low' You don't think I'd walk
across the street to help that little
red-headed wildcat. do you? If
you do, then think again!" And
the receiver crashed into place
with a finality that Jared Renton
with definite shock.
For the third time that morn
ing Wilbur Renton was left star
ing at the black instrument on its
teakwood stand.
He'd always felt that Bobbie
Nichols was a Sanke. but the
whole crowd had tolerated him,
mainly because of his amusing,
racy chatter. Renton now real
lied for the first time that that
same chatter. over which they had
laughed in the past. had always
been built upon some scandal or
other. That the Boobies of this
world fatten upon the tragedies
Of others His brow puckered in
bewildered trouble as he thought
of Boobies last words about
Betty. There had been a vindic.
tive ring in their tone that he did
not like and could not understand.
A yelled threat, almost.
Once again he took up the in
Strument that now held a hidden
menace for him. He gave the
number Of Betty's apartment and
stroVe to keep the quaver from
his voice.
CHAPTER XII
Suky answered him for the Sec
ond time that morning.
Jus a minute, Mr.. Renton,
subj" Was it imagination, or did
Suky'S voice hold a different note
than the usual deferential one
with which she greeted him?
Hello? Who is it?" came in
the crisp notes of Betty'S best
business voice.
Betty! This is Wilbur! I've
got to see you, right away. Can
come over to your place now?"
She hesitated.
! II don't know that that would