The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-09-05


hand. The man looked at him.
shook his head and ficked his Gig
arctic away and walked TO the cen
ter OF the floor.
I'm sorry, boys" Britten said
But the old man won't be able 10
see you till Tuesday
Bigger thought quickly: that
meant that Mr.. Dalton was going
to pay tho money and was not go
ing 10 call in the police.
Tuesday"
Jaw, come on"
Where Is the girl?"
I'm sorry said Britten.
You're putting us in the position
OF having to print anything We can
get about this case said one OF
the men.
You all know Mr.. Dalton" Bril-
ten explained you wouldn't do
that. For Gods sake, give the man
chance. can't tell you why now.
but it's important He'd do as muca
for you some time"
lis the girl missing?'
IL don't know"
as she here in the house?-
Britten hesitaied.
NO: ! don't think she is"
when did she leave?"
81 don't know
when will she be back?'
II can't say"
us this Erlone fellow telling the
TRUTH" asked one Of the men. He
said that Mr.. Dalton's trying 10
SANDER the Communist Party by
having him arrested. And he says
it's an attempt 10 break M his re-
lationship with Miss Dalton"
II don't know" Britten said.
"Erlone was picked up and takei
TO police headquarters and ques-
toned" the man continued. He
claimed that this boy here lied
about his being in the home last
night. Is that true?'
Really. I can't say anything
about that Britten said.
"Did Mr.. Dalton forbid Erlone to
see Miss Dalton?'
II don't know" Brliten said.
whipping out a handkerchief and
wiping his forehead. Honest 70
God. boys. I can't tell you any
thing You'll have 10 see the old
man"
All eyes lifted al once. Mr.. Dali
ton stood at the head OF the stairs
in the doorway. whiie-faced, hold
ing piece OF paper In his fingers
Bigger knew at once that it was
the kidnap note. What WAS going
10 happen now? AL OF the men
talked at once. shouting questions.
asking 10 take pictures.
Where's Miss Dalton?'
ibid you swear out a warrant for
the arrest OF Erlone?'
Were they engaged?'
did you forbid her to see him."
Ibid you object TO his politlcs?'
Don't you want TO make a state
ment. Mr.. DaltonY
Bigger saw Mr. Dalton lift his
hand for silence. then walk slowly
down the steps and stand near the
men. just a few feet above them
They gathered closer. raising their
silver bulbs.
10 you wish TO comment on
what Erlone said about your chauf-
feur9"
what did he sayy' Mr.. Dalton
asked.
"He said the chauffeur had been
paid to lie about him"
That's not true" Mr.. Dalton said
firmly.
Bigger blinked as lightning sho;
past his eyes. He saw the men low
ering the silver bulbs.
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Dalton
please, Give me just moment;
/ do want to make a statement
Mr.. Dalton paused, his lips CULVER
ing. Bigger could see that he was
very nervous. Gentlemen Mr.
Dalton said again. IL want to make
a statement and want you 10 take
II carefully. The way you men ham
die this will mean life or death 10
someone. someone close to this
family. 10 me. Someone Mr..
Dalton's voice trailed on. The base
ment filled with murmurs OF Gag
erness. Bigger heard the kidnsp
note cracking family in Mr.. Dali
tons fingers. Mr.. Dalion's face
was dead-white and his hlood-shoi
eyes were deep set in his head
above patches OF dark-colored skin.
The fire in tho furnace wac low and
the draft was but a whisper. Big
or saw Mr.. Dalton's white hair glis-
ten like molten silver from the pale
sheen Of the Are.
Then. suddenly. so suddenly that
the men gasped. the door behind
MIR. Dalton filled with flowing
white presence. II was Mrs. Dai-
ton. her white eyes held wide and
stony. her hands lifeted sensitively
upward toward her lips. the fingers
long and white and wide apart.
The basement was III IN with the
white fash OF dozen silver bulbs.
Ghostlilse. Mrs. Dalton moved
noiseleesly down the steps until she
came 10 Mr.. Dalton's side. the big
white cat following her. She stool
with one hand lightly touching =
banister and the other held In mid
air. Mr.. Dalton did not move or
look around he placed one Of his
hands over hers on the banistsr.