The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-24
. SERIAL STORY
 DATE WITH DANGER s..t4 BY HELEN . ". MosDsN .E.=e IN.

CT doesn't even know what a night club is, Jack. She probably thinks the Dove is place where bird fanciers meet"
 The boys handsome, sensitive face darkened. Not bad edfini- ton. That guy Martin is a bird connoisseur. He likes them young. He picks on the Janice Trenches"
 Tt was very sad about that poor child" Mrs. Burden spoke in un- easy tones. T can't understand why she should want to kill her. self. Her mother has served on a great many committees with me. Mrs. French has real executive ability"
 Nerve, I'd call it." Mir. Burden put in Lets talk about some thing more pleasant. What pretty girl did you squire last night, Jack?"
 "Clem Shirley"
 Things are rather serious be- tween you two, aren't they?"
 "Yes, Dad. If Clem will have me. I'll marry her"
 His mother rested her hand in his. She's a charming girl, dear, I thoroughly approve. But why do you two have to go to those terrible clubs for amusement?"
 
 Jack wondered how he'd got through the day. He'd skipped two aisles when he passed the plate, and he'd been out of step with the other ushers when he marched up to the altar. At luncheon he'd fallen asleep while a client of his father was discussing the legal point of a case and now he was reduced to chasing collar buttons! He wondered if Clem felt woozy. He'd call and find out. Maybe she didn't want to go to the concert this evening after all. But just as he reached for the receiver, the phone rang.
 Hello, yes. this is Jack Bur- den," he said as a husky voice in- quired for him. "Who-Duke Mar tin?" His tone cooled slightly, then became a little incredulous Miss Shirley is at the Dove and wants me to join her there? I don't understand! Oh, you're go- ing to show us the town tonight?" He paused. of course, I'll go any place Miss Shirley wants to, but why doesn't she ask me herself?" There was frank suspicion in his voice now. "All right, I'll hold the phone. "A long silence, then, "Is this you Clem, darling? Whats the big idea? Certainly I'll come if you want me to-"
 It was already dark when Jack Burden sauntered into the Dove.
 What about Scotch and soda?" he asked as he joined Clem and the Duke in the tap room. T want to start this evening right"
 Clem gave him gay smile. "I,ll have one with you. I've just been slipping Vermouth."
 Make it three" the Duke called to the bartender. He pulled out chair for Jack. Glad you could come, Burden. Then turning to the bartender again, Send Pas- quale down. We'll order dinner here and have it served in my apartment"
 Your apartment?" questioned Clem.
 "Yes, keep one in this joint for the nights I don't feel like going back to the hotel"
 Janice French kept separate apartment, didn't she?"
 Clem's tones were casual. She was plainly making conversation. T have one, too, but it's in my own house. Daddy gave 1t to me. Judging from Mary Franklin's story, Janice's father and mother didn't know about hers" She smiled brightly at Martin. "But you're really not concealing any, thing, are you?"
 How would I be concealing anything if I invited my friends to see it?"
 Half an hour later Clem and Jack were enjoying a special din- ner in the quiet of Martins quar- ters on the top floor of the Dove.
 Jack was surprised to see how Martin lived. When Bill Gordon, the valet had ushered them into the room, he stared with frank amazement at its splendor. Mar tin, as much as he Inistrusted him, appealed to his sense of adventure. The mysterious owner of the Dove represented something new. It fattered him to be introduced to a retreat of 8 man with dark past who might be one of the old buc- cancers reincarnated.
 "Is there any more to this syba- ritic luxury?" he inquired later, as they all slipped their after-dinner cordials in front of an open fire.
 You mean, have I any more rooms up here?" Martin reached for a cigar. "Yes. There is the game room where I sometimes invite the boys in for poker. My