The Washington times., 1938-02-09

smalley had at first only toyeo
with the idea. Words like steal
ing" and thief" had made him
vince. But soon the sharp pang
they gave him wore off like the
cutting edge of a knife dulled by
frequent use.
He had arrived at this state OF
mind ever since his profits from
playing the market had been
wiped out in the space Of a week.
If he had cashed in he would
have been rich. He hadn't! But
he had landed a job in the Wis
well household, home Of the IA
nous Wisweu jewels. And the
sum Smalley needed to spend his
days basking in idleneSs on the
Riviera as he longed to do, hung
in crystallized form around Mrs
Wiswell's pretty throat.
THE MOMENT ARRIVES
Now. after four years of build
ing up a reputation for probity,
the right moment had suddenly
arrived The WiSewells and a
party were going to the theater
and then on to a certain night
club and Mrs. Wiswell had dis
patched Smalley to the night club
earlier in the day to see about
table decorations.
And while there, the perfect
plan had presented itself.
Smalley was jubilant. This was
the one chance in a million! He
had himself under perfect con
troll, however, and when he re
turned to the Wiswell home on
Sixty-sixth Street, he managed tc
go about his tasks the rest of the
day with the carefully disciplined
inexpressiveness Of the perfect
butler.
When night came and Mrs. Wis
well was dressed, she simply gilt
tered.
At 1880, when the rest Of the
help was asleep, Smalley eau
tiously opened the door of his
room and looked out. The coasI
was clear. Good! He now rapidly
but stealthily made his way doWr
the service stairs to the basement
door and melted into the night.
The Club Margot was on Fifty
fourth Street. A taWdry block II
the daytime, nothing but garages
a parking space, a dingy cigal
store and the converted stable
that housed the famous nigh
spot. But as Smalley approached
it, there was the gay activity O
taxis driving up and festivel!
dressed couples emerging, lending
the scene glamour.
WATCHES DETAILS
Entering the small cigar store
he went straight into its lone tele
phone booth and dropped nicke
into the slot. He dropped it in witt
gloved hands, overlooking no de
tail.
The phone seemed dead but hi
jiggled the receiver and suddenly
some coins poured out of the coir
return opening. Smalley sighed
with relief. He pocketed the coins
for luck and asked the operator
for a number which he had care
fully memorized.
The number belonged to a tele
phone in a booth in the Club Mar
got lobby. ImpreSsing the attend
ant who answered with the ur
gency Of calling Mrs. Wiswell tx
the phone unobtrusively, he
waited. And in an incredibly
short time Mrs. WisWelI's voice
came to him over the wire. Every
thing was working.
His own voice, uttered through
the thickness of a handkerchief
was muffled but menacing.
Never mind who this is" he
said sharply in answer to Mrs
Wiswell'S inquiry. "All you need
to know is that we mean business
Do as you're told and you won't
get hurt. There's one Of our men
thin dark fellow, watching youl
booth right now"
"DO ASH SAY"
A strangled sound came from
Mrs. Wiswell. "Oh, think I SCI
him" she gasped. Mortified.
1t was more than likely that 6
thin dark fellow would be in thu
throng that peopled the ornat,
lobby at this busy hour.
"Shut up!" he commanded
''Now, do as say. Take off YOU
bracelets. Every one of 'em. Re
member my pals watching you
Take off that diamond necklace
Do it? Okay Now those clips
Now your earrings. Hurry! Nov
your rings. The emerald one too
don't forget. Okay. Now wrap i
all up in your chiffon hanky. Ii,
1t up good. Now lay it down OF
the floor, way back in the corner
"All right, now out you go. AM
speak to no one if you know what
good for you. March straight III
the stairs into the ladies room
Sit down there and smoke thre
cigarettes, like nothing had har
pened. Remember there'll be som
one keeping tabs on you. Afte
the third you can raise a hollel
Now get going!"
SynaIIev hung I'm He Stenpe