Evening star., 1937-06-13
Mogozins Section

lhe glance OF fete SOu8llt 1dAldno Dul
gained no response. Therefore, sullenly, he
picked up an ash-tray and went to the door,
where he held out the bowl toward Galliano
Tony tapped some ashes into it, absently.
Bill can get some drinks for you, too,"
said Thompson. 'Or do you want to get down
to business? The Big Fella was glad to see
that, wasn't he? 1t showed him l was out in
the clear as far as he was concerned, eh?
What he do? Burn it,"
Give it to him, said Galliano.
The man at the left, the one in fannels,
advanced to Thompson and laid small
paper-wrapped parcel on the arm of his chair.
What the hell!' murmured Thompson.
He sent it back? That shows how careful he
is but you can 60 and tell him that I'm care
full, too" He dropped the package on the floor
and something inside it smashed. Throw it
in the wastebasket, Pete" commanded
Thompson TONY, you can tell the Big Fella
that I'm his friend didn't hold it out on
him.
81 want my out" said Galliano
Sure you do" agreed Thompson. And
I've been thinking about it. can't make up
my mind what I'd rather have - a big wad
of the long green, whole trunkful of it, or
you on the end of line with hook sunk
through your gills."
Galliano took deep breath but said
nothing. His two guards looked at him with
half-curious, half-frightened eyes.
"You see my hands?" said Thompson,
spreading them out. Galliano was silent. II
say, do you see my hands, you dirty drink
of poison?" beloved Thompson.
Galliano trembled from head to foot. At
last he said: II see them" Middleton, watch
ing the other four, saw that they were struck
to their vitals by amazement at this surrender.
WELL" went on the genial Thompson,
They're little tender. But don't mind the
pain, because it keeps on reminding me that
I'm in touch with you Tony. 1t keeps on
reminding me that I've got you in the hollow
of my hands. You and all the rest. You see?"
Il see," said Galliano, like child repeating
by rote.
Nov, those fingers of mine couldn't do
much could they? No, not very much, went
on Thompson. They couldn't light match
or hold cigarette even, but they can smash
you like an egg with its shell off. They can
smash you SOS the yellow mixes with the
white and you splash on the ground like the
dirty mess you are. 1t seems a good way:
to keep you inside my hand, ready to go
smash. Every check get from you will be
sweeter'n honey, Tony. Your handwriting on
the check will mean more to me than love
letter But on the other hand somebody will
bump you off, one of these days, and then
where am 1? Your pals would still send
money but there wouldn't be any more love
letters or any more Tony for me to think
about when my fngertips began to tingle.
What would you do if you were me, Galliano?"
The Italian blew out careful breath of
smoke and studied the ceiling The working
muscles of his throat kept him from speech.
Yeah, somebody is sure to take you for
a ride. For instance, it doesn't build you
up any with Pete and Bill and Slim and Jack,
there" continued Thompson, ito have them
see you stand like little boy and take it
like this They've always hated you because
you're rat, but they didn't know that the
teeth of the rat were worn down so dull"
Here Jack and Slim, above the head of
their master, regarded one another with
expressionless faces
You've been a man of mystery for quite
a WHILE" said Thompson, but now every
body will see what you really are, just a
dOuhle-crOSsinp sneak Mavhe lack is wonder.