Evening star., 1938-05-22

ioS CSCk dpEuOoNiiS0, lL0A1l ASoS dSSoAlSO.
"'E won't even tell me where e lives
You don't happen to be an American, do
you?" asked Curtis of the prisoner.
Sure I'm an American, worse luck Eric
Felderman is my name. was born where the
Missouri turns the Mississippi from a creek
into river and raised on corn and beer"
Curtis spoke. Trust me. officer; I'll see
that he gets home"
''As you say, sir"
Felderman and his rescuer started west
along the Mall. Since you're American
said Curtis, why didn't you call up the Con-
sulate General or even the Embassy"
You too, muttered Felderman, you take
me for fool. To hell with the American Gov
ernment the British Government and all the
saps with tabs on their collars. No wonder we
can't get rid of war. BY heck, Id like to 60 to
war all by myself. With my bare hands. I'd
like to choke the lights out of every know-it-
all swivel-chair nincompoop from the Chief
of Staff down to the hahdedah they call
subaltern''
Il have an idea," said Curtis, pausing
abruptly.
Felderman stopped and glared at him. Il
doubt it, he said. "An idea is something you
can sell for money Not one man in thousand
ever has genuine idea. Can you sell yours
for money!"
Not this one," said Curtis gravely; 'you
have to buy it. This is what was thinking.
Feldeman; let's get drunk
"Oh, boy" yelled Felderman, his thunder
GUS face instantly TRANSPORTED His blue eyes
twinkled, his freckles danced and grin split
his gaunt face from ear to ear. He thumped
Curtis on the back, patted him on the shoul
der and then shook his hand with bone
crushing grip "Oh. baby, is that an idea!
Let's 20 buy it." Then gloom redescended.
with what? 1t takes lot to get me
drunk"
I've got plenty" said Curtis, drawing a
couple of five pound notes from his pocket.
That's fine, stranger; but I'm not taking
any My motto is drink and treat"
Don't call me stranger" said Curtis. my
name is Curtis Randolph K Curt to you"
He crumpled one of the notes into Fielder
mans paw Here; I'll match you for it. Odd
or even?"
"Odd," stammered Felderman.
Curtis looked at the numbers on the two
notes, frowned and thrust both into Fielder
mans hand. you've won; now you've got to
do the paying"
ME? How the hell did win? On credit?
Even at that, how do get the two of them?
Say, Bud. are you crazy?"
"Sue, I'm crazy" said Curtis calmly.
You're crazy too and l can prove it. You
think we can get drunk on sweat, gabbing
here like couple of ganders."
Il don't know what your game is" said
Felderman with narrowed eyes, but it's all
right with me- You can't rob me of nothing
and if you knock me in the head I'll say thank
you with my dying breath. Let's CO." He
hailed taxi. Il know joint around few
corners from where hang out"
At that instant Curtis became conscious of
an erect figure nearby, standing beside huge
puffball of dog He didn't wish to look but
there was something so tense about the group
it drew him like magnet. He glanced anx-
iously toward Feldeman, who was already
entering the taxi then at Joan.
Come here. please" she said. He obeyed.
You're the same person who was talking to
me few minutes ago, aren't you?" she con-
tinued.
"Yes," said Curtis, distressed.
"Mr Randolph. I've just been reminded
of your name."