Evening star., 1938-01-30
Jonvory 80. 1888

went without letting her know what you're
up to-:
Win remembered the speed at which that
red taillight had whisked away into the dark
ness. mo, think not, Bert"
"Okay, Baby" he told her. Skip it. 1t was
just hunch had G. bye"
As Win dropped the receiver into place, her
eye noticed the pad of paper clamped to the
telephone Judge Koomes had written down
an address, He had been in a hurry and his
hand had been heavy; the pencil would have
made indentations on the sheet directly under
meath.
Win took down the receiver, gave the num-
Der of The Planet" office. and said, win
speaking Is Bert around?"
mo-" the operator reported.
Take message for him." Win said Tell
him that when he asked me question few
minutes ago, told him no, but I've recon-
sidered, and the answer is maybe and for him
to keep in touch with the Office"
Let's see if get this straight, the opera
tor laughed. "He asked you question. you
told him no. and now you've changed your
mind and the answer is maybe Have got it
right"
Win said, Just moment. and let me make
memo of that Yes. you have the mes
sage right
Holding the receiver to her ear. she took
pencil from her purse and scribbled few
meaningless lines on the pad. She tore off the
sheet OF paper dropped it into her purse. said,
That's ALL Just give him that message, and
hung up.
She shook hands with Mrs Koomes at the
door, stepped in her car, drove two blocks,
pulled into the curb, took flashlight from the
glove compartment and held it so the beam
fell crosswise on the sheet of paper. As she
had hoped there were indentations on the
paper. She couldn't tell whether the number
Judge Koomes had written was 1920 or
1920. She made out the letters o m, and
was able to decipher nothing else until she
came to the last letter, which apparently was
an l. Looking at the length of the word, she
decided it was Commercial.
Bert Grinnel had not reported in by the
time Win telephoned her paper from the drug
store TRY and get him." she told the opera
tor Call police headquarters. and you might
try the By-Line Cafe. Tell him the address
he wants is either 1920 or 1920 Commercial,
and the room number is 2O8.'
She walked back to her car and took stock
of the situation Bert Grinnel never became
excited. For years he had covered the police
desk. While Win knew there was warm.
sentimental nature underneath his cynical
skepticism, she also knew that no ordinary
combination of circumstances could break
through that outer shell. Grinnel wouldn't
have called her to ask where Judge koOmes
was going unless it had been a matter of major
importance. A fercely contested election was
in the offing The vacancy in department two
of the superior court wasn't the most impor-
tant office to be filled, yet any major indiscre-
ton on the part of Judge koomes might turn
voters against the entire ticket. 1.-The Planet
was more than casually interested in the out
come of that election.
Winreached an instant decision and stepped
on the starter.
1920 Commercial Avenue was an auto re-
pair shop. No lights we're visible Win drove
five blocks down the street. 1920 was ROOM
ing house. A single incandescent burning in
glass enclosed box, feebly illuminated the
word, ROOMS. Below the Illuminated sign,
a painted board bore the legend. HILLCREsT
ROOMS.
Win parked her car and entered the ROOM
ing house. Ignoring the little cubbyhole desk
. 49,