Evening star., 1938-05-08

COVcICO luC IlOiSC VI lhS F'0
feet. In a queer silence Mario went for
Grifhths, and German from an angle
cut him down with a perfect tackle
that skidded them off the rug. across
the sleek of the floor at the side. and
into the wall with a heavy thump.
1t was Mario's head that received
the blow. He lay on his back with eyes
closed and his mouth open.
The calm voice of Griffiths said:
Every neat. Johnny. See if our Mario
has gun on him. We may need more.
There was gun. German had it in
his hand quickly. a big automatic with
an overhang at the back under which
a hand fitted with friendly snugness.
When he had the weapon he did not
stand up but remained on one knee
for the butler and another servant
had come into the room 50 swiftly that
German felt on his face the draft made
by the violent opening of the door.
They came with a rush and halted 50
suddenly that they seemed about to
fall on their faces. as though they had
stepped on ice and lost balance. 1t was
the sight of the gun in Gorman's hand,
that checked them, and Grifhths. with
the telephone in one hand, held an
automatic of his own, casually, hip
high.
He was saying: "Ah. Payne. you
don't recognize my voice? . As a
matter of fact. l never thought that
I'd have to call this number and
trouble you. I'm Allan Grifiths .
Exactly {. . Nothing at all. There's
nothing in the world that you can do
for me just now. The shoes on the
other foot. I'm about to do something
for you 1t doesn't matter where
I'm calling from. The police are not
watching this wire. Not now. They
will be in the morning, though
Yes, a matter of very great impor-
tance or of course wouldn't be using
this number on you. 1t has to do with
friend of yours Marchese
-Nocera Not a friend? I'm
sorry. Payne I've just been chatting
with Mario He hardly said
word. Don't blame Mario. He was
doing his best with business-like
blackjack, moment ago, when a
chum of mine smacked him down.
Now Mario is lying over by the wall,
and l hope his neck isn't broken
Certainly. But to get back to the
Marchese. Are you interested? .
Very we'll. Nocera isn't a Marchese.
Payne He's one Zimiscera :. You're
right. We have to be very careful.
these days But you've only
heard of the man? You don't know
him at all? That's interesting,
Payne, that low-slung green automo-
bile, burning up the road into Phila-
delphia. If you we're to get out some
men in the North East Boulevard
they probably could stop him
Because when the police stop him,
Payne, they're going to put on the
pressure, and when they put the pres
sure on, he'll rat on you and get you
into the soup The reason the
police will put on the pressure is be-
cause Elise Woodward is in the car
with Nocera Yes, Elise Wood
ward. ] don't suppose you're inter-
ested at all. but we're going to hold
Mario until Elise is returned to her
fathers house The moment that hap
pens, we'll turn Mario loose. Does that
make good sense to you? Just
bit of friendly attention. Payne. l hope
Mario won't talk 50 much that our
ears burn. Goodby."
The two servants, by this time, had
vanished from the room with soft
footsteps. Mario was sitting up and
holding his head in both hands. still
in state of coma which made it easy
for them to take him from the house
and plant him in the car. where
Criffiths took the wheel and German
sat beside the prisoner. As they started
away, the lights winked out in No
cera's house and left it with a dark.