The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-31
5 sERAL STORY
 DATE WITH DANGER s..s.. BY s. ". MospsN .sH .s

~No. You've had enough. What are you doing tonight?"
 Nothing"
 He glanced at his watch. Like to continue our tour of the town?" "I'd adore it."
 He stared down ct her.
 As the cocktail wore of, she watched him with fear. Suddenly he was kissing her passionately, savagely.
 "Oh, don't" she begged, strug- gling. Then she laughed, and snuggled against him, but drew back as her head touched some thing hard and metallic in his vest pocket.
 What's that?"
 "It's my best friend, my gun" A step sounded in theg hall. She jumped up and began arranging her hair. Nick was standing in the doorway. "G'd ev'ning, Miss Shir- ley"
 Clem's chin stuck a defiant angle. How do you do, MT. Hart MT. Martin and I are just about to leave"
 "So I see." He winked at Mar tin. You've picked a good one this time, Duke" Martin walked toward the hall I'm going to get my coat, Miss Shirley" Then in 8 whisper tc Nick, Shut up, you fool" Nick mumbled something about people who couldn't stand kid ding. What'll you have, Miss Shirley" he asked as he poured himself a scotch and sod.
 i've been drinking marvellous cocktail Hr. Martin mixed fol mel" She held up her glass. "It'' empty"
 "Is he trying a new one or you?"
 "Yes."
 He glanced at her thougthfully Say, did you ever know Janic' French?"
 Martin walked into the room ''Youre as much of a fool a. Tuckie Thompson. Shut you trap"
 "You'll have to excuse Nick Miss Shirley" he said in 8 loudei voice. He's a diamond from Tentl avenue"
 The second cocktail was getting results. That sal right, Duke, said Clem.
 Lady, you'll have me fallin fer you, instead of the Duke, i you keep that up." Nick grinned You're easy on the eyes. Hoy about a date?"
 Martins mouth strengthened Beat it, Nick. You'd do bette sticking around the Dove"
 "Then I'll be seeing you at tn Dove" The front door banged.
 "If he wasn't my pal, I'd knocl his head off," grumbled the Duke "I've done enough beefing. How't you like to go to Mickie's?"
 What's Mickie's?"
 "A joint where they've got { peep-hole in the door," | Mickie'S was over 8 saloon a 40th street and Eighth avenue. Be- cause of two entrances which form. ed getaway, and 8 proprietor wht was one of the boys, the gangster! of prohibition days made Mickie! their headquarters. After repeal those who hadn't gone to Sing Sins or to the bottom of the East riyel continued to call it headquarters. Martin led the way up 8 mar row, winding flight of stairs. A the head of the steps was a closed door with a small oblong panel ant an elaborate lock.
 Duke knocked three times. Tn, panel slid back and a pair o1 black eyes peered out. A little man, round enough to be called fat, with a full moon of face a broken nose, and a slit for 6 mouth, opened the door.
 If it ain't the Duke himself How are you, Kid?"
 He held out a fat, squashy hand his small eyes darting back O Martin. Brought your lady frient along, too."
 Glad to see you, Mickie," sait Martin. Meet Miss Shirley"
 The little man shook hands witt Clem. Come in, said the spide to the f1y," he chuckled. But ii this case, I guess it's the othe way round, Miss Shirley. I'm tn fly and the Dukes the spider. A least I'm one of the flies." Hi eyes rested on her. She and Martin followed Mickie The tightly shuttered windows, din lights and cigaret smoke, helped tn hush-hush atmosphere. So did tn people. A group of skinned unshaven men stood at the ba talking in low tones. Two or thre who might have been race trac