The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1946-02-25

TIE STORY; virgil boBstV'
blRtlme racketeer, needs legal adj
vice from shyster Leo kabateck'
This necessltates his telling kab-
ateck the inside story OF his vast
enterprises, putting him somewhat
In Kabateck's power.
CHAPTER III
r SAT- there for two solid hours
L listening TO him, and by the time
he got through had smoked up an
entire pack Of cigarettes. My body
was bathed in sweat and my head
was Keeling. I didn't know whether
this was all a nightmare or whe-
Their I'd gone nuts or something.
II was the most incredible story
of petty chiseling, of racHeteering,
of murder. The entire structure OF
a unique organization had been re-
vealed to me. and now many things
that had always puzzled me about
Boggio suddenly became clear. 10
known all along that his business
interests weren't strictly on the
level. I'd shut my eyes to what l
thought was petty and even grand
larceny. But I hadn't realized to
what extent Boggio had made a
science of crime and cold-blooded
murder.
Having talked himself out, Bog
gio seemed to feel better, I guess
IL was the first time he'd ever
confided that much TO any human
being. But now ! began to Won
der If It wouldn't have been bet
ter for me If things had remained
Just as before Boggio's the kind
Of guy who'll give you the shirt of
his back. And then he'll send you a
bill for it.
WELL he said, leaning back in
his chair. now you know every
thing"
He wasn't fooling me. I knew
that in spite of all he'd told me he'd
also withheld plenty. To start with
he hadn't used many names. When
ever possible he proceeded along the
lines of his former statements. He'd
say things like "a certain corpora
ton" and some fellow" and I knew
he meant a gang and some thug OF
trigger man.
/ now began to understand why
he'd singled me out for these con-
fidences. I knew that he had other
mouthpieces working for him-men
much older and far more expert
enced than I was. But he didn't
trust me, either. for that matter, but
1 was the one least likely to sell him
down the river. At any rate that's
what he figured on.
IT GOT up from my chair, fumble6
L for a cigaret and then noticed
they were all gone. walked over tC
the window and looked down into
the street.
Mice view said Boggio
yes" I said. walked across the
room a couple Of times and ther
sat down again.
Suppose a fellow got cold feet,
said, and suppose he wanted Il
back out Of a proposition that didn
look very healthy for him?"
Il wouldn't advise it," said Bog
gio quickly, especially If he't
once been involved in something TO-
which he'd signed a confession. AnC
I also don't think he ought to leave
his best friend when he's most need
ed"
That was a good one: Boggit
talking about friendship.
IF a fellow like that got hurt,
he continued, I'D say it was a cas-,
of Divine Justice" Boggio was act
uall waxing lyrical on me. Won
dered where he'd picked up the two
bit expression.
Don't you think SOP" he con
cluded.
Sure. sure" I said hastily. 4"
was just wondering"
We talked some more and 1t wa
decided I'd have until next day b
digest the facts that had been i'm
parted to me. We would then &c
down to business and define our new
and closer relationship. I was ais
to make him a. proposition alon
financial lines and tell him just hoy
much expected for my services. H
assured me that from that stand
point I didn't have to worry. He wa
generous and I could expect
square deal from him.
Boggio took my arm as We walke'
back to the living room. He ha
never done that before and / sup
J pose he meant it as friendly ges
! ture.
, THERE are certain periods in you
Il life when you know a yer
definite change is going to tax
place. This was one Of them, an
: I couldn't help being in a sort
: daze. To start with, there was til
: knowledge that Boggio was a "a
S greater louise than I'd ever imagine
4 him TO be.
On the other hand there was I'll
: realization that ! was within gras
of big dough without actually doir
: anything which would directly II
volve me in the more seamy side
I'LL ai4