Part 7 (2/2)
”Tall?”
”He was five feet eleven, Chief. I'd say that to be safe. The uniform he wore under the benny was olive-drab with bars on his shoulder. He took the overcoat off--afterwards.”
”How many bars?”
”Two, Chief.”
”That's good!” exclaimed Drew with sudden vigor. ”Good!”
”The girl,” went on Delaney, ”was 'phoning for him. She dropped the receiver when she heard him come in. She had the party she wanted--right there. Good deduction--that is!”
The Detective snorted. ”Go on,” he said with a faint frown.
”Sure it was! Well, I moves over and starts puttin' a penny in the slot-machine outside the drug-store. The machine didn't work very well on account of the snow. I'm a long time gettin' my piece of chewin'-gum. I sees them talking in the drug-store. His coat is off 'cause it's warm inside. He had an officer's uniform on.”
”One bar or two?”
”Two bars on his shoulder, Chief.”
”Captain, then. Go on.”
”He's a tall lad with thick lips and wide-blue eyes. He's straight as a pike-staff and good lookin'--for a blonde.”
”Looks German?”
”Not so I could notice! Seemed to be a bit of a swell. Had gloves and a high-cla.s.s wrist watch. I hate them things.”
Drew smiled. ”Hurry,” he said. ”Don't take too long. What happened?
What about the smoke-wagon?”
”I'm comin' to it, Chief. They moves over to the drug-case. They chins some more. Then he blows her to a soda--a cherry sundae.”
Drew rubbed the gla.s.s at his side and started out. He swept the mansion with swift-running eyes. He turned.
”They were sweet--them two,” went on Delaney with thought. ”I deducts they'd known each other a long while.”
”Quit your deducting. Get to facts!”
”Well, Chief, he ups and gives the drug-store the once over with sharp looks. Then he handed her a little, flat box which she pops into her m.u.f.f--quick as any shop-hister. It was as quick as that!”
”How do you know it was a revolver?”
”By what followed, Chief.”
”What followed?”
”Her hand creeps into the m.u.f.f. It works around while the clerk is mixin' the sundae. When the clerk's back is turned, out comes the hilt of a nice, little gat with ivory trimmin's. It's one of them lovely watch-charm affairs--all polished up without a knock-out punch.”
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