Evening star., 1941-06-25

eouraging.
Xavier Merrill looked up with
This means more than just a gam
bling debt. Eric Farrell wants con-
troll of my company union. He
threatens to expose me unless l
grant him that control" Merrllls S
voice wavered alarmingly.
He is holding your debt AS a whip,
them" Locke asked directly.
Xavier Merrill Strengthened in his
chair He lifted bitter. staring eyes.
That's it. I'll tell you the best way
/ can. Farrell allowed my losses TO
run along for months. I've been
short of ready cash. l just received
big defense order from the Gov
ernment to haul supplies and manu-
facture new trucks. I've reinvested
all my money in equipment and l
won't have any cash until get re-
turn. But that seems long way OF,
For the last week I've been around
irving to raise the $25 5,000 but 1t
seems that I've made enemies on my
Kav up-men who want to see me
downed. I could only get $lO,OOO.
FARRELL said he wants 1t all, not Just
q nevment. But still he is willing to
rsll the debt off if he gets control OF
INV union. God knows, l don't want
to do that. Yet today I was on the
verge of allowing it." Merrill spoke
boeeedly. forcing his words from be-
tween tight lips.
Table Is Crooked.
Locks said, His tables are needed.
know that. But what l don't know
Is how it is done. If we could find
that out then there wouldn't be any
necessity OF your paying your losses.
Xavier Merrill stood up. His
shoulders Strengthened. How DO
sou know this?" he groWled.
Il have some friends who make
regular tour of the gambling spots.
Hhey know Farrell's tables. Let me
assure you that there are only a few
who do have the inside information.
When Farrell sees them coming he
knows enough to put the nights
nlav on the level. They understand
snd never say anything about 1t,
Besides, it wouldn't be exactly
healthy to talk. But l imagine that
Farrell realized you would not know
about the roulette, so he had the
rroupier take you.
II should have known that some
thing was wrong" Merrill said
heavily. But I was so immersed
In other things that l did not re-
member for how much Farrell had
hooked me until one night about
three weeks ago when he called me
into his office and showed me the
I. o. US"
TT was all planned" Locke said.
He lit a cigarette and allowed the
smoke to trickle from his nose. He
hooked at Jsnielle. How did Far
fell know you?" he asked bluntly.
Janielle said, My friends 60 to
the Green Parrot once in while.
Mostly to waste time"
Locke nodded. Farrell has
hne on every one who comes into
his place" He smoked thoughtfully
end as the other two watched he
began to pace the room, eating up
the distance in long, measured
strides. we will have to get into
that club somehow" he said. Just
to look around. I imagine that who
ever controls the roulette wheel
won't be there. There must be
some kind of a machine some
where"
Locke Offers TO Go.
Xavier Merrill yanked out his
watch. "Its just 1890. I doubt
whether any of that crowd is out of
hed yet. The club doesn't close un-
I'll late. We could get down there
now and look it over" His voice
deepened as confidence returned.
Locke stood in the middle of the
floor his long legs spraddled. mo"
he said definitely. IF Farrell is
around, and he might be, he will
know you and might guess your in
tention. Those men have their
crookedness on their minds all the
time. whether we think so or not. I
would be the best one to go. At
least no one will know me-"
Xavier Merrill gazed piercingly at
Locke. why are you offering to
do this?" he said suddenly. His
heavy brows came together in a
puzzled frown. Locke shrugged. 1t
III L.