Evening star., 1941-12-14

Dan has a whole list of addresses that he
has to visit, and he sets out in police car
pretty content with the world, because it is
nice day to be outdoors. He is covering the
suburban district, and very pretty sight
it all makes with the snow deep on the roofs,
and smoke curling from the red chimneys,
and guys climbing ladders in front of the
houses to string electric lights on pine trees
At lot of the places where Dan stops, the
people ask him in, and they say sure he can
look over the car, but first doesn't he want
a spot of sherry to warm him up? So he goes
in and there are Chrstmasy packages scat
tered around and children running all over
the place and holly on the mantels and mis-
tletoe overhead.
Altogether, Dan doesn't feel like COP at
ALL Never does he meet such nice people in
the course of days work. AS to the cars,
not one of them shows any sign of bump,
and not many of them have the right kind of
tires which, according to the marks left in
the snow were pretty expensive tires to be
used on small car.
Dan crosses one address after another off
his list, and along about five O'Clock he has
only three left. He's glad, because he has
snitched piece of mistletoe from one of the
houses and is anxious to get back to Kitty
with it. Then, when he is almost finished,
terrible thing happens. He finds the hit
and-run car.
1t is in a three-car garage in back OF
stone house on hill, and because the garage
door is open, he goes back there first and
looks over the roadster, that is bedded down
between two big sedans There is no doubt
about it, The tires are the kind he is looking
for in front the right fender is dented and
scratched little and one headlight is cracked.
Dan goes around to the front door and rings
the bell He feels almost sick because he has
to arrest some guy on Christmas Eve.
The butler who opens the door is as snooty
as a movie butler, and Dan has to flash his
badge The butler then disappears and comes
back in half minute and says Mr.. Court
land will see Dan in the library. This library
turns out to be paneled room with high
ceiling and fire in the hearth that throws
CHEEKY flickers on the rows of books. At first
Dan thinks there is no one in the room ex-
cept the big moose who is sticking his head
out over the mantel and giving Dan the eye
Then he sees Mr. Courtland, who is stretched
out on a divan in red lounging robe that
blends with the landscape. He is handsome
young fellow if you don't mind circles under
the eyes, but he hasn't got the Christmas
spirit
What do you WANT" he barks at Dan.
DO you drive that blue roadster in the
garage?" asks Dan.
Sometimes" says Mr. Courtland. Some
times my chauffeur runs around in it.
Were you driving it at two O'Clock this
morning along Adams Street,"
This morning? That must have been my
new chauffeur" says Mr.. Courtland reach
ing for drink on the table near him. II had
a guest here last night and my chauffeur
drove him home"
Bring the aforementioned chauffeur in
here" says Dan.
Mr. Courtland shrugs and picks up phone
and presses button. 'Downes to the library"
he snaps. and in another minute in walks the
guy.
liz IS in a chauffeur's uniform. At first
glance Dan thinks he isn't old enough to
have drivers license, but then he sees he's
grown up, after ALL He's maybe twenty
three Another thing Dan sees is that the KID
is scared. You don't have to make many
arrests before you can tell when guy is ex-
pecting to be picked up and when he is really
- .raA