Evening star., 1940-05-24

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said. I'll give you money enough
to carry you over until Saturday.
Saturday night you'll board the s.
S. Ventura sailing for the States.
But don't come here again. Under
stand?"
Sure, Handsome. You're a swell
guy"
And stop calling me Handsome" !"
he snapped.
"All right. If you stop calling me
Miss Martin"
She put down her cigarette, slip
ped of the chair arm came to
him. She stood very close. smiling
into his eyes. Phil discovered that
beneath her makeup, and despite
her hair style, she was very pretty
girl. Her smile was nice, and her
eyes seemed honest.
"1s 1t bargain, Pfilip?'hshe said
Calls It . Bargain.
"Oh, all right. It's a bargain
Barbara"
"Babs,' she corrected.
mo-" he said emphatically. "Not
Babs.
She said, do you give every girl
the buns rush, Philip"
Don't you ever stop talking?"
Not" she said, when 1 have
somebody who likes to nsten-''
She broke off as a knock sounded
at the apartment door. She gave
Phil startled look. I'll hide in
the bedroom, she said. She grabbed
up her bag, her jacket and coat,
the pillow and blanket from the
sofa, and ran into the bedroom and
closed the door.
Phil crossed the living room and
opened the front door. Bert Cava-
naugh stood outside. He had a
twisted smile on his darkly hand
some face.
He said, Good morning, Law
renee. stopped at the embassy, but
they told me you hadn't showed up
yet. Since it isn't far, I thought I'd
drop around"
We'll. come in, Cavanaugh."
Thanks -"
He entered, sat on the sofa, put
ting his hat and coat beside him.
He lighted cigarette. leaned back
very much at ease. He said:
Surprised by my visit, eh, Law
renee? Well, I'm surprised myself.
Last night you visited a police sta
ton on behalf of that showgirl,
Babs Martin. While you talked with
her she slipped an envelope into
your overcoat pocket-evidently for
safe-keeping. Am I right?"
How should I know"
Receives Bribe Offer.
How shouldn't you know" the
visitor replied. Lawrence, I'm not
going to beat around the bush. You
and don't need to play at diplo-
macy. How much do you want for
that particular envelope?"
How much will you pay?"
"One thousand good American
dollars-cash."
Phil gave a start. "Is 1t worth
that much to you. Cavanaugh?"
That's my top price. But I've got
to have it, Lawrence"
And If haven't got itP"
Cavanaugh smiled confidently.
you've got it all right" he said.
Il know the girl left it in your
coat. She didn't lie to me not
after the grilling I gave her"
What was in the envelope, Cava-
naugh?"
That" Bert Cavanaugh said, 4s
my business. Are you going to sell
it to me?"
Phil considered for a long mo-
ment. II think not, old man."
Cavanaugh's face frightened, his
black eyes hardened. Don't be a
fool, Lawrence. You might get into
trouble"
with you? Maybe I'd like that"
NO" came the reply. mo, you
wouldn't"
Phil shrugged his shoulders. "All
right" he said. you've made me
a proposition. And you came right
out with it. I'm going to be on the
level with you. I thought I saw
Babs Martin put something into my
coat. But when left the police
station and looked for it my pockets
were empty. That's the truth. And
you can take it or leave it."
Cavanaugh stared frowningly at
him for moment. Then said, II
know you, Lawrence. Your word is
good enough for me. The girl lied,
and that's just too bad for her"
Babs Tells Of Letter.
He rose, took up his hat and
coat, and walked to the door, Phil
went and opened II for him. Cava-