The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-21

Hello, joey" There was no cor
diality In Dawson's greeting.
Listen, Dawson - what's the
Idea of sending that dumb Flynn
down to my place in the middle OF
the night - just when my party
was"
II doubt If you've met Mr.. AL
ston, joey" Dawson interrupted.
"Mr. Aston, this is joey di Torio,
owner of the Club Chateau.
You've probably been there"
Aston rose to acknowledge Joey's
nod. Neither man made any move to
shake hands.
IF you don't mind Captain Daw-
son, I'd like to get some sleep" Ais
ton said. IF can"
"Go right ahead, Mr.. Aston"
Dawson agreed. you probably
need it."
would you mind Of I ordered
some sleeping tablets? left home
hurriedly and forgot to take one"
"Tell Flynn to get you some,
Mr.. Aston" He waited as Aston
moved slowly across the room, out
of the door, then called after him,
Good night" but Aston appar-
entity did not hear. Dawson turned
back to di Torio.
Cigar, Joey?' He offered Ben
thorne's box Of perfectos. Di
Torio took one, lighted 1t, pulled
vigorously. For moment both
men sat, smoking, saying nothing,
waiting.
nj Torio belied the popular con-
ception Of a gangster. He was small,
and his Italian ancestry evidenced
itself In his black, darling eyes, and
dark complexion. His clothes were
we'll tailored and he wore them like
8 model. He looked more ike a nnu-
stefan or a gigolo than killer.
listen, Dawson, I've got work
TO do" joey began at last. II was
just getting ready to close when
Flynn comes in and says you want
ed to see me. He said Arnold
Bethorne had been killed. / tried
TO tell him that haven't been
outside Of the Chateau all evening
Eut he wouldn't listen. Said you
wanted to talk to me and that was
that. What do you want, Daw-
SOM"
"You knew Arnold Benthorne
pretty well, Joey?' Dawson asked
slowly.
sure, I knew him. Half the
night clubs in town knew Ben
thorne by his first name. He used
TO come TO the Chateau q lot
But I didn't know he was dead un-
I'll Flynn told me. Why pick on
me?"
Weren't you and Benthorne as
ISOLATED" - Dawson paused at the
word-"in business together once?'
"Yes," Joey's answer came slow
ly. "But that was back In pro-
hibition days. You can't dig back
that far to pin charge on me-
What was this business, Joey?"
"Benthorne backed my first
speakeasy. You used to &c fgree
drinks there yourself. Benthornt
bought q yacht cheap, ran the stuff
in from the Bahamas and un-
loaded 1t. Benthorne '1as smart
too. He aways stayed outside the
umit-made me take ali the risks"
"You haven't had much to Dc
with him since them" Dawson
queried.
"Only as o customer. When liquol
went legal, Benthorne decided there
was no quick money In 1t. and w
dissolved our-our partnership" d
Torio pursed his mouth, devoted hi
attention to smoke rings.
"Youre lying, Joey" Dawson
said calmly. "You and Benthornt
never dissolved your partnership.
You and Benthorne have been mix.
ed UP In half the rackets In tht
town.
you and Benthorne have beer
running the numbers game here
for three years. Last year yot
branched out into narcotics. You've
got agents In Chicago, Kansas City
Denver, and San Francisco. Within
the last six months you've arranged
to smuggle 200 aliens over the Can.
adam border at $500 q head. You've
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