The Coolidge examiner., 1939-04-20
CHAPTER IX-Continued


Holmes came in. He stopped
across the table from his tenant and
regarded him with a scowl, ignor-
ing his outstretched hand. I've got
a few things to say to you, Hare" I"
said he.
Say EN-" Kelsey looked at his
own hand as if surprised to see it
there and stuck it into his pocket.
"You took the fifteen thousand for
Love Beyond Sim"
II did,"
MY story. Do you happen to
know that the prize was awarded
before you bought it?"
81 do"
wait second" put in Gloria.
you're going at this wrong-end to-
D'you want to split fifty-ffty, Tenn
py?"
NO"
"An right. You win" This from
Holmes. But 1 just wonder what q
bird like you thinks of himself"
Il wonder a little about that, my
self" put in Gloria.
'Oh. not so badly, if you ask me-"
would you care to have my opin-
ion of you?" queried the other man
silkily.
mot before a lady," grinned Kel-
sey.
Don't mind me-" said Gloria. 81
guess / think about the same"
"You wound me to the heart. In
other words, you make me sick.
And that goes for both Of you. I've
taken plenty from this household,
but I'm getting good and fed up"
Calm down, Big Boy; calm
down." soothed Gloria, for his voice
had assumed an edge which inspired
misgivings in her experienced soul.
The inside door opened. Marne.
clad in pajamas and dressing gown,
stood glooming at them with heavy
eyes. Hasn't haf-pay star got
any rights on this lot?" she asked
plaintively.
What's your trouble, kid?" coun-
tered Gloria.
Sleep. You're making more noise
than a cageful of hyenas. / don't
know what the debate is, but why
not leave it to the League of Ma
ticns?"
Too tough. It'd bust the organi-
zation. What d'you think. kid; we've
got two Templeton Sayleses here
Count 'em. two."
''One is too many"
This is the real one," said the
beauty-girl, with an indicative wave
of her arm. And a pretty interest
ing specimen. if you ask me. An
swers to the name of Martin Holmes
In real life"
Hes certainly an improvement
on the other" opined Marne, ac-
knowledging the introduction. in
fact, he couldn't help but be-"
Thanking you on behalf of both
of US, said Kelsey evenly.
"Just another fake" said Gloria,
regarding him sadly. II thought
i knew something about men. But
he had me fooled" She outlined the
financial deal according to the
Holmes version. There's the lay
out. Anything to add?" she inter-
rogated the accused.
I'D like to speak to you alone"
said the tenant to his landlord.
We'll. I don't want to talk to you
alone or any other way"
"All right" The lower part of Kel-
sey's countenance took on look as
if it had been chiseled hollow and
filed with cement. II can be just
as unpleasant as anybody else. if
necessary"
Marine nodded a sapient head.
what else would you expect of a
face like that?"
He certainly does jut a mean
Jaw" admitted Gloria. And yet"
she sighed-'I dunno"
Anyway don't have to have him
playing opposite me any more" re-
joiced the star.
II dunno about that, either. We'd
better wait on A. Leon. We don't
want to gum the picture"
'Pn settle that point" put in
Holmes. Something tells me that
our friend, the ex-Templeton Sayles,
is going to take a long journey"
"Yes?" queried that gentleman
interestedly. Where to?"
ANY place on a one-way road"
TOO kind. But, after all, why
should 1? Charming place. Con-
genial company. Atmosphere of
friendly warmth. Why depart so
happy a life?"
Because you're not wanted
here" said Holmes tartly. 'T be-
lieve that's unanimous. Any dis
senting voices? The yeas have it.
So, Hare, I'll remind you that this
is my house."
''And I'll remind you that my
lease still has a month to rum"
Kelsey rose. II expect to be sit
ting on the front porch for the next
hour or two. Any Committee on
Evictions can find me there. l might
add that really need some exer-
else"