The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-16
. SERIAL STORY
 DATE WITH DANGER .4 sYaESsN . " Mos1gN 9Es2se INC

the fury of the storm. They entered the morgue in furry of wind that sent a newspaper on the watch mans desk flying across the stone floor.
 "Right this way, Commissioner, we're expecting you," said the por- ter. He chuckled good-naturedly. Mighty glad to have visitors this time O night. Gets sorta lonesome here"
 He was a little man with a cheerful, round button of a face and a shining, bald head. His blue eyes twinkled humorously.
 Ladd smiled. q would hardly call this spot lively, even in the daytime"
 You newspaper chaps never learn to take things phlegmatically," commented Fenelon. we fellows would be dead before we started if we let our surroundings affect us"
 'Tts a mighty good thing they do affect us," broke in Ladd. If we didn't feel strongly, we wouldn't be writing"
 He turned back to take Marys' arm.
 "Worn out?"
 "No. Just oppressed by this place. I guess I'm not a good re- porter. I've never liked morgues. J
 The watchman guided them into the office. Commissioned Fene- lon, sir he anonunced to tall, saturnine-face man sitting in front of small desk.
 How are you, Ryan?" asked Fenelon. "Ladd, I suppose you know Detective Ryan. Society editors selmodm have occasion to pay calls at the morgue."
 Mary smiled. You'd be sur prised, Commissioner. We have reason for coming to the morgue oftener than you think"
 Ryan, typical plain clothes man, gave 8 taciturn nod. q un- derstand you want to see the girI who was found in teh East river The medical examiner is waiting Shall we go?"
 His pale lips were tight and thin making this mouth mere slit, ano 1 one eye dropped, the result of either a bullet wound or the gash of a knife which had left a scar that slanted down from the right eye brow.
 Mary felt glad he was on their side, but the clamminess of his presence disturbed her.
 "The girl musta died about four hours ago." Ryan remarked She's just stiffening now"
 Grimly he unlocked the narrow door. A stairway curved dowr into the morgue.
 Second tier to the right" said Ryan briskly. With dawn on g November morning still two hours away, electric lights burned bleak ly in the center of the great re- frigerating room, their glow difnly reflected in the white tiles that extended halfway up the side walls
 Good thing you have your COdtS OH, SdlO ftydll, us dlWdyS chilly down here. We've got to keep 1t at certain temperature 8 cold storage plant, you know" He smiled.
 Mary felt her throat tighten as he turned into the first lane, rim ming the tall metal cubicles. They reminded her of filing cabinets; one sliding drawer above another; human records with f1niS marked on them.
 Dr. Albert Morris, the medical examiner, was standing at the head of the first aisle. Squarely built, of more than middle age, he had a chunky face with pene- trating blue eyes. His mustache was gray and bristling and he spoke in quick tonse. He wore a white operating apron and long rubber gloves.
 Glad to see you, Fenelon. It's an interesting case. These your friends?" he asked, glancing at Mary and Tom.
 "Yes, Doctor, this is Miss Frank lin, society editor of the Gazette She thinks she can idetify the girl. And this is Ladd, managing editor of her naner"