The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-17

The Duke was leaning against the bar in the rear room, drinking a whiskey and soda. The air was stale and dead; heavy with old cigar and cigaret smoke. Though brightly lit, the room exuded the vague, mysterious air that goes with a shady past. Its long bar, its poster-plastered walls and its liquor-stained tables suggested more lurid hours.
 Nick spoke to Martin. "Tony's bringing Mike in for a drink. Old friend of ours, eh Duke?"
 Martin smiled "As long as we keep on the right side of the fence. That's okay, Mike. Come draw up your chair. What do you know?" He poured the policeman Scotch and soda. Tony fix your own poison."
 Mike pushed back his cap. T had my troubles last night"
 Drink your drink first" inter- rupted Nick hospitably, ''mebbe your troubles won't seem like troubles after a swig. I've discov- cred that meself, say what l went through wid last night" Martin trod heavily on Nick's patent leather evening shoes.
 You must think you're back on Tenth avenue again" Nick growled. Where's de manners Tuck1e's learnin' yuh?"
 You're jest a sap-head," con- mented the Duke evenly. Now that we've shut up this foodling partner of mine, Mike tell us what happened last night"
 The policeman drained his glass. T fished a girl out of the River.
 The men showed casual interest. Some dame's always flying of the handle" Nick remarked indif- ferently. "Dey can't take it." t, He reached for the whiskey bot tie.
 The policeman paid no atten- ton. T might of saved her if I'd got there couple of minutes earlier, but it was rainin' and blown. I didn't see her until she was jumpin' off the dock" Go in after her?" inquired the Duke.
 "Yes. That's why I have on these duds. I had to leave me own at the station house to dry out.'
 Tough night to be in any river" said Tony. Did she f1ght?'
 "Yes. She called me a devil, hit me in de face and hollered to let her go."
 Did you?" asked the Duke.
 Fer minute Till I could get hold O meself. When I caught up wid her, she was floatin' out from shore and I struck her across the mouth. She screamed" Mike waited till Nick poured him an- other glass. After that she passed out"
 Was the girl good looking?" in- quired the Duke.
 Oats what kept me workin' to save her. said Mike. "She sure was beautiful Red hair. There was class written all over her. He sighed. When we was almost to de dock, she came to and begun whimpering, Don't make me live, officer she gasps, "de've got me. I can't go on. Let me die"
 She musta had some hang over on," said Tony. "Dey all get weepy when dey's drunk"
 NO. She wasn't drunk" said Mike. I've handled plenty ot dem. I know dat kind. Dis one was desperate"
 And so what?" The Duke was plainly bored.
 The policeman's voice dropped When finally picked her up again. she was dead"
 Has de morgue got her now?" inquired Nick.
 Yes" The policeman's hand shook as he filled his glass for the third time.
 The Duke yawned. Find out who she wasp"
 "No." Mike smiled. T thought mebbe she might be one of your customers. She was classy enough to be-"
 The Duke frowned. Cut the kiddin'! We don't go in for sui- cides."
 What did she have on?" in- quired Nick.
 Some sorta pink dress, very flimsy." Mike reached in his pocket. Here is copy of me re- port" He began reading, dragged out of the East River at 2:30 a. m., November "A. a girl. Height five foot two. weight l15 pounds. Red hair. Brown eyes. Pink evening dress, silver slippers. Platinum ring set with sapphires on little finger of right hand. From Daddy to Babe, March g, 1886 inscribed inside"
 The Duke put his glass down His face had paled. Sounds like sob stuff to me- he said abruptly Its time to be closing" He walked toward the door.
 Nick glanced at him. nervously Drop in again, Mike" he said flatly to the policeman.
 T will sometime" the officer buttoned his coat. Thanks for de