Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-09-18

l"VW O men halted In the shadows:
the night created many Of them
here IN the warehouse district
~ where few lights cleaned and
traffic halted at dusk. Suddenly
the younger one drew back.
III go the other way" he said
nagger."
What makes you think SOP" asked
John Braden. He was much older: q
Dig man with white hair and a florid
Kindly race. You're still fun of stir
dreams"
!, Harry Riffan moved uneasily. Poorly
dressed, plainly undernourished, he
now glanced about him, his tongue nun
ming quickly over thin lips.
Yes, guess So,' came finally. Then.
Did you say you might be back this
way again tonight?"
sure. Maybe I'll have some dough. -
Then John Braden stemmed the
stream Of thanks with, Jaw, nix. Don't
us guys who know the inside of iail-
houses have to stick together?"
When they had parted and Riffan
was wen down the street, the cop on
posi- followed Braden around the
What's the play?" he asked. oI
thought you were on vacation?"
am" answered Detective John
Braden. Just looking after a few
tnings. You know-off the record
Listen, Leary," the detective queried.
DID you ever try to think of a word
IN a crossword puzzle? Have it right
on the tip OF your tongue-and couldn't
get it?"
"Sure-every night"
Well, that's me with that fellow I
llsG leIt; An ex-vic named Riffan.
Panhandled me one night. I was busy
thinking about another matter"
Something else off the record?"
You know it. The daughter of an
OLD friend OF mine. Sweet kid. I've
known her ever since-anyWay. I had
her on my mind. Before I knew It.
Ia fed this guy, fell right in with his
"stalling you were an ex-vic, tooq"
Wei, kind Of talking that way.
Maybe I was soft that night. I cot
the ldea the fellow really wanted to
go straight"
You're a pretty good judge"
I've always thought I was" an
SWered Braden reflectively. But I've
got myself licked on this Riffan. If
my subconscious mind"
your what?"
Just step over it. If my real bunch
is that he wants to go straight, why
don't get him a job? There's a dozen
/ could slip him into-you know, with
fellows that like to help ex-vics. But
something keeps telling me not to do
it. Like that crossword puzzle. Your
brain says to put down one word and
something else says it's wrong"
The cop laughed.
You're on your vacation, all right.
My mind sure is" snapped Braden. |
If the guys wrong, why don't I pinch |
him2 If he's right, why don't trust
the poor mug and get him a Job? /
There's only the one fall against him
in the records"
Anything big?"
mo. Queer boy, this Riffan. Pick /
pocket-learned it for fun from anna
teur magic and sleight Of hand. Then
he gets TO practicing on his friends;
you know-here's your watch, better
look out for pickpockets Found out
he was wizard. Finally he got out Of
a job. Went after a pocket In earnest,
but somebody was looking"
$50 now, what2" asked the cop.
$50 now, I'm a sap" answered
Braden. meet him every night. He tells
me all his troubles. What he'll Of
time he's having trying to go straight,
and what worse time he'd have II
he ever got caught again. And me,
listen to him, slip him q few dimes,
show up the next highland do 1t all
over again"
The cop swung his club.
Maybe you need real long vaca-
tion," he said, grinning.
Maybe you're right" answered the
old detective as he tagged a taxicab,
finally to alight before q big house
which gave evidence Of recently de-
parted luxury. Time was in younger
days, when John Braden had worked
here as special Waterman. That was
when Captain Mason had plenty Of
Conditions had changed greatly !
since the spring afterboom OF few
years ago.
The detective did not ring; he merely
turned the knob and walked through
he hall into the living room.
A young woman sat crumpled In a {
Dig chair. She had been staring de-
into the fire; now, however, :
The turned with what was meant to be :
/ brave smile.
Hello. Uncle Jack. I've been waiting
sorry I'm late. Where's your
ather?"
aGone to bed"
Good, then we can talk, eh2" /
She looked up eagerly.
ais there anything to talk about?" q
John Braden leaned over the back B
4 her chair, his wrinkled fingers toy 9
aOnly bad news" The girl moved ?
Witty again staring into the fire, a a
land to her lips. At last, brokenly: 9
you mean you can't get that brace K
ct back2"
81 guess Eddie Jllneau's read all that
tuff about you going to England to Fl
marry David"
Elaine Mason seemed puzzled. e
why would that make him want to
lang ON to tt?" II
That was q hard question to answer. Il
Ohm Braden took a circuitous course. &
'well, III tell you dug up fellow
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