The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-08-13
THE SALVAGE MAN
CHAPTER HI

requested. Hammond's note had SaiC he should phone if he couldn't mak' it for the weekend, and all the wa! out from downtown Miami Beach h. had thought about phoning. Some how, he had the uneasy feeling of man about to step into trap.
 He carried his bag up the wide stone steps, and rang the bell O the big white house. The door open ed wide almost at once, and tht Hammond butler said, Good even- ing, MT. Mallory"
 The hall into which Jim Nal lory stepped was done in the eX' tremo modern fashion. The floor ing was composition, the wall painted mauve. the lighting in direct and soft. A curved hang ing staircase led upward.
 The butler talked as Jim looked around. MT. Hammond wished MT Mall0y to accept his apologies Something unforeseen had happen. ed; he l1a6 been called to his office over in Miami. MT. Mallory was tc make himself at home, and Miss Lois Hammond, MT. Hammond's daughter, would entertain him dur ing the evening.
 "Unfortunately." the servant said, Miss Hammond hasn't returned home. No dinner is being served, sir, but shall have something set out for you"
 I've already dined, thanks"
 Then I'll show you to your room, sir
 The room was a spacious, utra- comfortable, and the furniture had ben designed by cubist. The bath beyond had walls covered with mar inc murals. It was 8 far cry from the room Jim Mallory occupied in Curly Bates house of Collins ave nue. It was 8 lot like the room he would have when the Ajax Salvage Company got out of the red.
 Jim got into evening clothes. Standing before full-view mir TOT as he snppec on the white dinner jacket he remembered that this was the first in a long time. It had been long since he was in the money. He filled his cigaret case, then left the room and wan" dered downstairs. He passed through 6 living room whose French doors opened onto the patio. It was cool and dark out there. The air was heavy with the fragrance of flowers.
 Sound came from an open door at the end of the house. Music, laughter, and chattering voices. Jim lighted 6 cigaret and drifted toward the door. He paused, look ing into d rumpus room. About ten young people were there. One of them was the girl who had come out to his boat that after noon calling herself Mary Larsen. He wondered if she were really Lois Hammond.
 A dark-haired girl in 8 white evening Gress appeared at the far end of the room. She was strik- ingly good looking. She laugh inely called on the crowd for quiet.
 
 The gay chatter died away, and somebody stopped the photograph The crowd gathered around the dark-haircd girl. Jim Mallory did It mean to listen, but this girl held his eyes and he stayed where ne was, just outside the doorway.
 .The silrest thing has hap pened," the girl said brightly s.Father went of and left me with a esaest to lok after" She wrinkled her Toee distastefully. "A man in the salvage business. 1magine!"
 There was laughter. Jim Nal iCry smiied crookedly in the dark r,ess. remembering the old gag about an eaveSdropper hearing no good of himself. He saw a pudgy Yo,ln@ man with drink in his hand move to the side of the dark-haired girl who seemed to be Lois Ham, mond.
 n had dealings with salvage man oaace," he said loudly. Boy! was he scream. He was shifty- eyed little guy in Q derby and with e cigar butt always sticking from the corner of his mouth. He had one line: Mister, you cheat me- And he stuck to it."
 Everybody laughed, Jim Mall lory saw, but Mary Larsen. She didn't look at all amused. He looked back at the pudgy man and Lois Hammond.
 Lets have some fun with this fellow" the man sal0. wen get him to tell us about the salvage business, for a laugh. Don't for get, everybody look solemn and interested for a gag. Have him join us, Lois"
 ssBurk $ bringing nim down now, Tommy" she told him. Then elle looked over the heads of the others toward Mary Larsen. Mary, be . darling and take this Mallory person o6 my hands for the even- illg. Father has Q nerve, expecting sne to entertain s man in the sal- wage business"
 Mary Larsen said, 'Ill take him ofR your hands, Lois - of course. But Mr. Mallory is in marine sal- eaae. and that is big business"
 Jim Mallory thought. That's one in your favor, Mary" And ne turned away from there.
 
 nurk, the butler, found him in the living room. And Burk said, Miss Hammond has returned, sir. She would like you to join her in the sunptis room"
 s1sead sway, Burk, Jim Mall I1Hy said.
 Sse nearly laughed out loud wlssn he 1oIlaMed Durk into that room Nvsgycns had pssn Watcle