The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-01-06
A Dash of Red
By HELEN ALPERT
Mcclure Syndicate-WNU Service.)

out on the Philadelphia road. "And
IS it fought" he had laughed. MAN,
these are the dregs what am! Oil
workers out for sport-a slice of the
lower depths-a weeks pay blown
like a shot-swelll"
What fun!" they had shouted as
they'd jostled their way to table.
Joe looked uneasily at his tiny
partner as they circled the floor.
The air seemed menacing. MAY
be we'd better scram, Jackie" he
said. But Jacqueline impishly tossed
her head. Joe, I've never seen
such people before. Such types!
My word, they look like pickpockets,
kidnapers, gunner, forgers-even
murderersl"
Bob and Sara swept past them.
'Hey!" Joe called, somebody ought
to sit at our table and watch the
coats!" Bob and Sara obligingy
danced off the floor.
What joint" Joe exclaimed.
want the whole floor, bud" a
voice snarled. 1t did not ask; it
stated; and Joe blinked.
what a !"-out of earshot.
Jackie giggled. "Oh, Joe-your
face"
YEAH thought he was going to
plug me-"
Maybe we're too conspicuous in
our evening clothes"
Joe looked glumly at his immac-
ulate self. I'D give these away in
a second for a nice pair of greasy
overalls. I'd feel safer"
"And Bob and Sara, tool" Jackie
laughed and crept closer. ''But
really, Joe," soberly, "these GIN
cracks I'm wearing are the only
things left from the robbery last
week"
That was some job" said Joe.
Getting into a fortress of a house
like yours and grabbing everything
without leaving a trace"
We've been stepping over police
and detectives ever since-but all
they can give is a bad guess"
Jackie shrugged shortly. "There
were some pieces we prayed we'd
never lose-or forget. Dads college
photos-pins-" she broke off. ooh,
well. Swing her along, Joel"
They flung themselves into a MINI
BILE step when a burly figure Shout
dered through to the wall. Break,
bud?" Again it was not question
but a demand.
Joe spluttered. "I-no-"
THAT is, if the lady don't mind?"
Il don't mind" she said briefly.
I'm fact, might enjoy it."
The man staggered. He was big
and dapper. His derby was pushed
far back on his head and Jackie
saw thick red waves of hair.
Carrot top?" she asked, smiling
little.
''Who, me? Oh, sure, kid. That's
why they call me Red Jim!"
Her eyes famed wide. $50 you're
Red Jim!"
That's me, baby. Reds my IA
vorite color. l go for red-striped
ties. l like red" He expanded. A
ruby red ring glittered on his finger.
Reds my lucky color, too. Some
time I'm gonna get me a rug like
| seen marchin' up some steps the
same color exactly as my hair!"
'Impossible!" she breathed.
Look" he drew a triangular
plush swatch out of his wallet. It
matched his hair perfectly.
ooh, yes!" she smiled bewitching-
ly.
The music blared to an ear-split-
ting crescendo and ceased.
Here y'are, boy-friend," said Red
Jim patronizingly to Joe. "See you
later"
Jim was white with rage. "The
cocky rat!" he snapped.
Sara shrieked RED Jim!"
"Ye proud owner" explained
Jackie. Excuse me while l polish
up for the maiden's next encounter
with the gent" She sped off with
her handbag.
A squad of uniformed policemen
had surrounded jim.
"We want you for the Macrae rob-
berry" Someone's voice was ice.
"Macrae? Say, that's a big joke
on you. Last Wednesday night
was right here till morning. l can
prove it, see?"
"Alibi Jim, as usual. But this
time you're picked"
Says who?"
"Says Miss Jacqueline Macrae
herself"
Jackie appeared in the doorway,
very quiet and white.
"Slick job. No fingerprints. No
clues. No nothin'. A clean get
away, fella. But just a little too
fond of red for your health"
81 don't getcha."
Jackie spoke. "You said you saw
a stair runner exactly the same
shade of red as your hair. That
was in my house The runner was
tackled down Wednesday morning
and removed the next day. A tiny
corner of it was missing. The house
was robbed Wednesday night The
rug was taken away the following
morning"