The Phoenix index., 1942-08-29

one leave II!
1T was sticking under the door"
Think, now. Did you see any
body about the house or drive
way?"
mo. The boy and me, that's all
that's been around here"
And where's the boy now?"
upstairs in his room, I think"
did you ever see this handwrit-
ing before?"
mo, Mr.. Britten."
Can you guess, can you think,
imagine who would send such a
note?"
mo. Not soul in the world, Mr..
Britten," Peggy walled.
Brittens voice ceased. There was
the sound of other heavy feet
Chairs scraped over the floor
More people were in the kitchen,
Who were they? There movements
sounded like those of men. Then
Bigger heard Britten speaking
again.
Listen, Peggy, tell me, how does
ClllS UOy dCU!
What do you mean, Mr. Brit
temp"
Does he seem intelligent? Does
he seem to be acting?"
81 don't know, Mr. Britten. He's
just like all the other colored boys
Does he say yes mann and mo
mam'?"
"Yes, Mr. Britten. He's polite"
But does he seem to be trying
to appear like he's more ignorant
than he really is?"
81 don't know, Mr.. Britten."
Have you missed anything
around the house since he's been
here?"
mo; nothing"
HAS he ever insulted you, or
anything?"
mo, No! No!'
What kind of a boy is hep"
Hes just a quiet colored boy.
That's all I can say :"
Did you ever see him reading
anything?"
mo, Mr.. Britten."
Does he speak more intelligent
ly at some times than at others?"
mo, Mr.. 'Britten. He talked al
ways the same, to me-"
HAS he ever done anything that
would make you think he knows
something about this note?"
mo, Mr.. Britten"
When you speak to him, does he
hesitate before he answers, as
though he's thinking up what to
say?"
mo, Mr.. Britten. He talks and
acts natural-like."
when he talks, does he wave
his hands around a lot, like he's
been around a lot of Jews?p
I've never noticed, Mr.. Britten."
Did you ever hear him call any,
body comrade?"
mo, Mr. Britten."
Does he pull off his hat when
he comes in the house?"
Il never noticed. 1 think so.
Mr. Britten."
HAS he ever sat down in your
presence without being asked, like
he was used to being around white
people?"
mo, Mr.. Britten. Only when
told him to-"
Does he speak first, or does he
wait until he's spoken to?"
well, Mr.. Britten. He seemed
always to wait until we spoke to
him before he said anything"
Nov, listen, Peggy. Think and
Try 10 remember if his voice goes
up when he talks, like Jews when
they talk. Know what 1 mean?
You see, Peggy, I'm trying to find
out II he's been around Commun-
mo, Mr.. Britten. He talks lust
like other colored folks to me-
Where did you say he is now"
Upstairs in his room"
When Britten's voice ceased Big.
ger was smiling. Yes; Britten was
trying to trap him, trying to make
out case against him; but he could
not find anything to go upon. Was
Britten coming to talk to him low?
There came the sound of other
voices.
Its ten-to-one chance that
she's dead"
Yeah. They usually bump 'em
off. They're scared of 'em after
they get 'em They think they might
identify them afterwards"
Did the old man say he was 60
ing to pay?"
Sure. He wants his daughter
back"
That's just ten thousand dollars
shot to hell, if you ask me-"
But he wants the girl"
"Say, bet it's those Reds trying
to raise money"
"Yeah!'
Maybe that's how they get their
dough. They say that guy Bruno
Hauptmann, the one who snatched
the Lindy baby, did it for the
Nazis. They needed the money"
I'D like to shoot every one of
them bastards, Red or no Red"
There was the sound of a door
opening and more footsteps.
""You have any luck with the old
man?"
mot yet" 1t was Britten'S voice.
He's pretty washed up, eh?"
Yeah; and who wouldn't be?"
HE won't call the cops?"
Nav. he's scared stiff"
1T might seem hard on the fam
lily, but if you let them snatch RS
know they can't scare money cut