The Washington times., 1937-06-08
CHAPTER XIV
BLUE BLOOD AROUSED


The next moring I called Nelson
Rinehart's office on the telephone.
He was out. called twice more.
Each time a secretary reported
he was not in and did not know
when he would be in.
Just before lunch I walked over
to his office building and pre-.
sented myself to the secretary IN
the outer office, a plump young
man, rosy-faced and manicured. I
told him was from the Express
and would wait for Mr.. Rinehart.
But he isn't in" the plump
young man said, raising his eye
brows.
"Ill wait for him; it's impor-
tant."
It was an annoying process, and
long; but finally, after I as much
as told them they were liars and
that Mr.. Rinehart would see me II
only they'd get up their nerve to
ask him, was ushered into Nelson
Rinehart's private office.
My feet felt as though they
were ankle-deep in carpet. He
looked up coldly when I entered
and waited for me to speak. He
was a man in his early or middle
thirties, blond and quite good LOOK
ing in a chiSeled-marble sort Of
way. But an arrogant snob if ever
one lived. I wondered in the mo-
ment Of meeting him that one sS
coldly proud as this Western Re
serve blue-blood could have found
mere artists model companion
able, even one as beautiful as Mar
gle Shannon.
I was from the Express, 1 said,
and considered it important to
see him. He said he had under
stood that from his secretary. and
that he never gave interviews.
But I hadn't come for an inter-
view, told him, striving hard for
politeneSs. had come to ask q
couple of questions for my private
information.
Indeed" said Nelson Rinehart,
with something like a Sneer. What
are they?"
'The first one is: Did you give
Margie Shannon the tapestry that
hung in her apartment?"
His expression did not change.
"And what is the other, pray?"
still looking through the window.
whether you had known Miss
Shannon very long?"
He didn't move, didn't even take
his fingertipS apart. He merely
told me not to slam the door as
I went out, and that was all.
"Of course" said, II know
your connection with the Shannon
murder case, Mr.. Rinehart, even if
I am keeping it a secret. But I
might say you're putting quite a
strain on good nature considering
that ways could be found of drag
ging you into it without my break
ing a confidence. You don't have
to talk, of course; but since you
don't choose to answer questions
you might at least like, to hear
some good advice"
Sarcasm Wasted on
Energetic Reporter
His mouth twisted in a sarcastic
smile. "Oh, really" he said, and
condescended to look at me.
Yes, really" I was not pulling
any punches now; not after that.
Instead of hiding behind the
County Prosecutor, why don't you
take it on the chin like a man?
Maybe you haven't stopped to real
ize it, but the thing you're de-
manding of Francis Miles on the
score Of friendship might be the
ruin Of his whole political career. ="
That got him. Rinehart stayed
right where he was in his chair,
but his face turned red and then
white again and his eyes almost
spat at me.
He said, coldly, you'd better get
out now before I throw you out. "
Is that threat, Mr.. Rinehart? d?
If you threw me far enough it
might make a good story, and
there's nothing I'd like any bet
ter than to see your picture in the
paper and show it to Joe Le-
wicki."
He was on his feet at last. 1--WE
a good notion" he said, fighting
to keep the blazing passion out of
his voice. Ito call UP your editor
and have you fired"
Go right ahead" I told him.
"And you'll hear how sweetly my
editor can say go to hell"
Then I left him.
Ito Be COntinued)