Evening star., 1941-01-24

4 smash something or somebody. But
he could not behave that way: he
had to think clearly, behave as
though nothing had happened He
couldn't even be sure that this man
Crosley was straight. He, too. might
be with John ODian. Certain signs
pointed to that conclusion. Ger
talnly if John ODian was manipu-
latlng the estate to his own advan-
/ tage, Crosley must have known
something about it.
The door of the inner Office swung
open and a tall, efficient looking
secretary motioned for Kelly to
| entel- Kelly noticed that she was
staring at him as though she was
AFRAID that he might lash out at her.
Kelly Senses Danger.
He closed the door softly behind
MN. The man at the wide, fiat desk
looked up. Kelly saw a Well-condi-
toned man just beyond middle age
whose neat, gray suit hung casually
on spare body Mild, blue eyes
were gazing steadily at Kelly and
the white, holloW-cheeked severity
OF his face was matched by the
thick shock of white. curly hair. He
and Calvin, Kelly thought irrele-
Vently.
You are the MI Madigan who
called this morning?" The meticu-
lous voice clipped off the words.
L am Kelly snapped back.
James Crosley's hands moved to
the top of the desk. lying fatty on
the wood The thin, long fingers
were steady.
May I ask what you want9"
Crosley said coolly.
Kelly had flash of danger then.
He was convinced of that bv the
tone of Crosley's voice. BY the rigid
ity of his thin body.
Didn't your secretary tell you?"
he answered levelly.
I don't recall her message"
That was lie Kelly couldn't
determine just what this man was
driving at. Crosley was eyeing him
intently.
Kelly said, Perhaps this will
refresh Your memory. Miss ODian
and were married the night before
last'-there was a pause-"or do
you want proof"
Crosley ignored the question. an
swered the statement. Were vou?"
Just what are YOU driving at?"
Kelly burst out. He strobe to the
edee OF the desk. placing his hands
fiat on the wood.
A Threat TO Kelly.
This Crosley raped out dis
tinctly. His right hand moved
swiftly plunged into the open right
hand drawer and then Kelly was
staring into the barrel of a black
automatic
Don't move, Madigan!"
For the first time in his q years
Kelly Madlgan was staring down
into the blackness of a gun barrel.
The hand that held the weapon was
steady. Kelly did not move, for the
emotion that he felt was not fear.
He could not exactly describe it to
himself, but the nearest explanation
was a feeling Of disbelief that such
an object could be capable of deal
ing out death.
Kelly said, DO you mind if I sit
down."
Crosley did not switch his eyes
away. But his left hand moved
toward the chair behind Kelly.
Kelly eased himself down on the
cushions. He said. You can put the
cannon down. I won't hurt you and
that thing might accidentally go off. "
1T might" Crosley said grimly.
He rested the gun on the desk. but
he kept his hand covering the butt.
He fliCked button on his desk
transmitter.
Yes sir" came the meticulous
voice of the secretary.
Il don't want to be disturbed"
Crosley said
Yes. sir!"
Kelly said. Isn't that dangerous?
I might conceivably take that gun
away from you"
Not much chance of that, Madi-
gan!"
Kelly settled back. I'm waiting"
he said quietly.
(Copyright, 1871 Chicago Daily News, Inc)
Tomorrow-Kelly takes matters
into his own hands.
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