Evening Star Newspaper, April 21, 1929, Page 69

THE WOLVES OF THE WATERFRONT Metropolitan Newspaper Service.) (Copyright, 1929, A SLIM, RADIANT FIGURE OF YOUTH: FROM HER GOLDEN HAIR TO THE TIPS OF HER SILVE SHOES. . . . SHE DID NOT JOHN WADE, BUT HE AND HIS JAW DROPPED. N the murk of a foggy morning a rowboat moved steadily down- stream. The oarsmen hugged the Surrey shore, keeping to the by ground formed by moored barg Somewhere in the east the sun was rising, but here the skies were dark. Billingsgate Markei was radiant with light, and over the wharves, where boats were at anchor, white arc lights gleamed. The river was waking; the “chuff- chuff” of donkey engines and the rattle of swaying de the rowboat. They were clear of a long barge line, and the boat was turned to the north- ern shore, when, on the dark back- ground. appeared a darker object. The | gt stroke rower saw the lines of a launch across his courss and dropped his oars. “Wade!” he grunted. B Out of the blackness came a cheerful ail. “Hullo, sweetheart! Whither away?” The police launch edged alongside. “It's only me, Inspector Wade. We was takin’ the boat down to Dorlin’s to | lay it up,” said the bow oarsman. He had a high falsetto voice, and punctu- | ated his speech involuntary sniffs. | “Not Mr. Offe The voice in the police boat was charged with extrava- | gent surprise. “Not Sniffy Offer? Why, | sweetheart, why are you out at this | hour? Let me have alook at you.” A powerful light flooded the interior of the rowboai. The two men, oars in | hand, blinked. | “Little case of something here,” said the voice of Inspector John Wade. | “Looks like whisky—and bless my life, if there isn't another one!” | “We found 'em in the river,” pleaded | the man he called Sniffy. “Me an’| Harry fished 'em out.” “Been fishing? I1 bet you Make fast your boat and step into the | launch—lively.” ‘The two thieves said nothing until they were headed for the police station. “You don't have to be clever to catch us, Wade, do you?” said Sniffy. “Here's London full of undiscovered murders an’ robberies, an’ all you can do is to pull a coupla river hooks! Look at that| woman found in Cranston Gardens with | her taroat cut. Look at the Inja Rub- | ber men——" “Shut up!” growled his companion. | “Proceed, Sniffy said Mr. Wade | gently. I am not sensitive. You were | talking of the India rubber men? You | were reproaching me—-you were trying | to make me and the Metropolitan Police feel small. Go ahead, Sniffy.” “Shut up, Sniffy!” warned the second | prisoner again, and Sniffy was silent | lt]l;l;?ush all the taunts that assailed | “Now, where was this whisky going? Tell me.” ‘There was no other answer than a succession of indignant sniffs. “Come, sweetheart, tell papa.” - They could not see John Wade’s grin, but they could hear his chuckle. “Was it | for the sailormen at the Mecca? That would be almost an admirable act. Or was it for dear old Golly—." nd ‘The worm turned. “You ain't entitled to ask these ques- tions under the ac’, Wade. I could have your coat off your back for questionin’ me. An’ castin’ asper—" He boggled at_the word. The launch pulled up beside a float. Somebody in the darkness asked a ques- tion. “Only two fishermen, sergeant,” said ‘Wade. “Put 'em on ice!” That day he called at the Mecca Club, to see its manager, Mrs. Anna- bel Oaks. Mrs. Oaks had been compelled by an interfering constabulary to register her *“club” as a common lodging house, a disadvantage of which was that it was subject to police supervision. She complained to her guests. “Nice thing, eh! A club for officers, and any copper can walk in and look you over!” It might be conceived that Mrs. Oakes | was indiscreet in publishing & truth that might scare away a percentage of her boarders. But the Mecca was con- veniently placed for underofficers of the mercantile marine. And many of the clients who patronized “the club” found it convenient in another respect. If one got a ship out of London, it was possible to owe the money due for keep until the debtor returned. “Mum” Oakes was very obliging, es- reclnlly if the man was likable. He was ikable if he did not give himself airs, or if he took his drink like a man and didn’t want to fight Golly or anybody else who happened to be around. Golly was mild and rather frame. A reddish mustache over a weak chin. He had once been » ship's steward, in moments of inebria- tion his claims rose as high as purser, and once he stated that he had been the captain of an Atlantic liner, but he was very ill after that. ‘The Mecca was a half wooden and half brick structure. Before the club was » strip of wharfage, covered with rank grass and embellished with two seats. | twl The wharf was warped and rotten, the ancient timbers that supported it were split and crumbled. But the view was always fine, for here the pool was broad and the river ~“erowded with shipping. Lila Smith used to stand, fascinated. at the window of the dining room an watch the steamers come up-river. Lodgers who had retu from long remarked that Lila was no Jonger o child. She had never lacked dignit-. but now there was & charm that 1cc had observed before. She had always been pretty, in a round- ,hz‘-eyed way. But the pretti- definite: nature had ce of the child new values. icks came 10 the men in | pag | have! | V' d | went astern. e Same rom YE by North American New: r A | She stood at the window one day, a! | shabby fiure in a rusty black dress and down-at-the-heel shoes. The sound of | a deep siren had brought her there. { | “That feller in seven wants tea, Lila | —don’'t stand mooning.” | us “Mum.” who came into the room, had caught the girl at her favor- | |ite occupation. | " “Yes. auntie.” { Lila Smith flew to the kitchen. That ping voice terrified her—had alweys | terrified her. She wished sometimes for another kind of life; had a vague ea that she knew just what that life | It had trees in it, and great like Greenwich Park, and peo- le who were most deferential. More often than not, she was dreaming of this when she was watching the ships. She was dreaming now, as she poured | |the tea and sent the slatternly maid | into No. 7 with the cup and the slabs of | bread and butter. ‘The little square window in the stuff: kitchen wes open, and suddenly she e a man looking In at her from the| wharf—a tall man, with a tanned, at- tractive face. He was bare-headed, and | his brown hair had a curl in it. “Good morning, Princess!” “Good morning, Mr. Wade!"” She was a little breathless. He was the one being in the world who had this effect upon her. It was not be- cause she was frightened, though she was aware of his profession, nor yet because of the furtive character of these rare meetings. He had a tremendous significance for her, but the reason for his impor- tance was confusingly obscure. “Why do they call you ‘Busy,’ Mr. ‘ade? She asked the question ofi mnul:. and was frightened before the wor. were out. “Because I am busy, Princess,” he said gravely. “I am so busy that I am an offense in the eyes of all loafers. Industry is my weakness.” . He paused and looked at her oddly. She heard “Mum’s” heavy step and drew back a pace as the old woman came scowling into the room. “Hullo, Mr. Wade—got nothing bet- ter to do than kesep my gel gossiping?” She sent Lila from the room and slammed the door. ‘} “Don’t come here questioning chil- | dren. Be a man and knock at the front | deor.” “You haven't got a front door,” said | Mr. Wade, reproachfully. “And why so angry, child? I came in the friendliest spirit to interview Golly—" “He's on the wharf—an’ don't call me ‘child’!” snapped the woman savagely. Mr, Wade, whose weakness was the employment of endearing epithets, shrugged. “I go,” he said simply. Golly was chopping wood and as the detective approached he put down his hatchet. “Whisky? What do I know about whisky? . . . Yes, I know Sniffy. A loafer that I wouldn't have in this club. A low men with low companions.” “I don't belleve it,” sald Mr. Wade. “Heard anything about the india rub- ber men lately?” Mr. Oaks made a gesture of patient weariness. “I don't know no more ebout the inja rubber men than what the news- papers talk about. We got the police; Wwe pay um rates 'n’ taxes, we feed um—' “And well fed they are,” agreed John Wade. “I never see a fat policeman without thinking of you, Golly.” ‘With a nod he went back to the po- lice launch. Three.nights later, in company with a police sergeant, he was speeding toward | 5318, the Embankment. He had received in- structions to report at Scotland Yard, and he was perfectly sure of the reason for that call—the india rubber men. For the past week they had become something of & nuisance. He had ad- vanced a theory regarding them and the summons had followed. ‘These marauders were called the india rubber men, because they wore rubber gas masks and rubber gloves and rubber shoes. Each man, when seen. carried an automatic in his belt, and three dangling cylinders, which the ex- perts described as gas bombs. were probably their principal armament. ‘They had been seen the night they cleared out Golly and Moore, the Bond street jewelers: and that week end when they opened the vault of the Northern and Southern Bank and injured the watchman so badly that he died. The reason for his death was apparent—in his hand was a portion of a gas mask, torn from one of the robbers. He had seen the face of one of the band and had been killed. surprised,” said the “I shouldn't be sergeant. bringnig the launch a little nearer the Embankment’s edge, “if the Wapping lot were in this india rubber ‘business. & ‘That gang wouldn't think ‘Wade, looking ahead, had seen a fig- ure leaning over the parapet of the Em- bankment. In another second it had disappeared and he saw 2 bit of white, where it had fallen into the water. ‘The steersmen had scen it, too. The little boat shuddered as the engines “On your right, sir. . . . You'll reach him with your hands.” Reaching down, John Wade n:md an up-flung arm and dragged the - pering thing into the boat. It was a woman—=a -haired woman, face was and lined, and in “You mustn't have it . . . I must take THE SUN. |\ rifles, She was clutching something that | looked like a piece of sodden paper. “I'm not going to take anything from you,” he said soothingly. She struggled and gasped. “Don't . .. I want to g0 to my baby The Colonel sald—-" ade threw a blanket over her, and, in doing so, caught a glimpse of the thing that she held. It was a photograph of a child. he exclaimed. “Heaven help us!" “Who is that?" It was Lila Smith! A baby's face, but Lila Smith. “Who is this? he repeated. “You shan't have it! You shan't have it!” she struggled feebly. Her voice sank to & murmur. “Rush for the pier, Toller. I think she's dying.” When he tried to take the photo- graph from the clenched hand it was squeezed into a pulpy mass. ‘The launch ran under the pier, and a policeman tied it up. Another police- man brought a hand-ambulance, and the woman was whisked to Westminster Hospital. ‘Wade went into the superintendent’s room and found the Big Four in confer- ence. “I'm sorry I'm late, sir” he sald. “A lady decided to end her life right under my nose.” The chief constable sat back in his chair and yawned. “What is this yarn about the india rubber men?” he asked. “You say & racing boat has been seen on the river —about the time of these robberies. Who has seen it distinctly?” John Wade shook his head. “Nobody, sir—it has not been seen, except at & distance. I have an idea it is painted black; it carries no lights, 22d 1t goes at high speed. The first elue o8 had of it was when com- lained of the wash it made. It's been ard,, of course, but whoever is run- ning it used muffiers, which is very unusual in a motorboat. Only two men have had a view of her. One is & river thief named Donovan, whom I took for breaking cargo two months ago. He sald that he and another man were in & small boat one night when this Jaunch came out of the biue, and they had & very narrow escape from be- ing run down. They could give no de- scripiion ofsthe boat, except that 1t was very short and hadn't the lines of & mofor boat at all.” Jennings, one of the big chiefs, shook hi is head. “Why should the india rubber men take to the river? “There are 20 ways out of London, and the river's the slowest. You can go from Scotland Yard to any part of the town in a taxi, and not one po- liceman in & thousand would dream of taking the slightest notice. opinion is that, after their last big jol this band is not going to operate again for years.” A’ third member of the party, who was in control of the Foreign inch, interrupted here. “This is the work of an interna- tional crowd. As to their being finished in London——" The telephone buzser sounded. ‘The chief took up the phone. “When?” he asked. A long pause, and then: “T'll come right away.” He rose from his chair, “The wx)\!s‘brl‘ale :n point duty' repfl‘n un‘: that the ave gone Oul office of the manager of Frisby's Bank.” “When they reached the bank a po- lice cordon had already been estab- lished. The manager's office faced a side street and contained the general Two lights burned there, day and night, and the safe was visible from the point where the policeman con- trolled the traffic. The constable's story was quickly told. He was wall for his relef, and Big Ben was the lasi note of 12, when he saw the lighis go out. He tried the door and then went to the window. He saw, or thought he saw, & man move into the shadow of the safe. The bank manager, who had been sent for, arrived with the keys. There was, he ‘said, & watchman on duty and the fact that he had not answered the repeated knockings was ominous. He unlocked the door and the detectives entered. “You had better take charge of the search, Wade—give Mr. Wade a gun,” seid the chief. Somebody thrust an sutomatic into his hand and he ph in. The manager’s Toom was empty, but a sec- ond door was ajar. He pi this open m'rpm e m:mewlr.hpmr ‘The came nearer. He thrust his the jamb of the door and sprayed the interior with ten shots. He did net hear the Am's:eflntflre bu sleeve £ : £ i g !gg {4 i3 1] : B ¥ i 5 | , terfor came the ratlle of automatic Bullets whistled, glass crashed | there was a scurry to cover. car disappeared into St. James Park. | ~The next morning Wade went to the | hospital to see his would-be suicide. | To his amazement, she had left. “A creature of amazing vitality,” said | the house surgeon. few hours, she walked out. suicide, was it? Attempt COACH *1045 Cospe $rogs; Sedan $1145;: Roadster $1045; Touring $1045. Wire wheels included. Prices f- 0. b. Tsleds, Obio, and tpecifications rubject to change witheus motice, NEW STYLE WILLYS-OVERLAND, Display Room 1711 ‘Then the “Within a few | ‘The policeman who brought her here thought she had fallen into the water by accident. So no charge | rather bu was preferred. By the way, she was | i o1, gtn!’.le about a photograph she had “Did she give any name,” “Just Anna." John Wade was not interested in the woman, and she would have slipped from his mind, if it had not been for the incident of the photograph: He went to the Mecca to have & word with Lila. Without telling her what was troubling him, asked whether she knew any one named Anna. “Anna?” she sald slowly. “I don't know anybody by that name. Yet I seem to know the name so weil. Isn't it curious?” Her sensitive lips twitched in the faintest smile, “She’s a dream, I suppose.” “Like the strange experience you once told me of?” he bantered. “No, that wasn't a dream,” she said hastily. “But it was silly of me to tell you about it. It was nothing, really.” He was too experienced a cross-ex- aminer to pursue his questions, even if he had not heard “Mum's” voice just then. Mrs. Oaks had been to the city and had returned with a visitor whom Lila Smith disliked—Mr. Raggit Lane. e was tall and epare, with a thin, ascetic face that would have been good-looking but for the lift of one corner of his lip, which produced the illusion of a permanent sneer. He was always well- dressed; his nails were always mani- cured, his black hair brilliantly polished. He wore no jewelry except a small sig- net ring. “Mum” was vague about his profes- sion, but Lila gathered that he followed the sea. He had tea with Mrs. Oaks in her sitting-room—a large room, with two long opaque windows. “How is the cld man?” she asked, when tea was over. “Eh? Oh, he's all right. I dont want him to know I've been here today.” She smiled. “You don’t want him to know you've been here at all, do you? You can trust me, Mr. Lane. I never discuss anything with him, except Lila; and I don't see him more than an hour every year.” Mr. Lane'’s brows met in a deep frown. “Who is this Lila?” Mrs. Oaks would do much for her good-looking visitor, but he had asked a question _she could not, with safety, e . She said, instead: al s hanging around the house. T don't know whether he’s after the girl, or what. per's doing.” “Inspector Wade? isn't he ?” “Mum" smiled derisively. “Ain’t they all clever, by their own account? From what I hear, they nearly got him the other day, these india rubber people. I wish they had!” Lane laughed. “The india rubber men seem to be " he said. “Who are they?” She shook her head. e ed Equipment, other than standard, extra, 14th St. N.W, You never know what a cop- | He's pretty clever, | INC., STERRETT & FLEMING, Inc. " Home of Gold Seal Used Cars 1620 PART 4 I don't know anything about 'em, she sald decisively. He shrugged. “Let’s get down to busi- ggested. and, going to the fire- place, rolled back the hearth-rug and pried up a section of the floor. Beneath was a steel trap-door. She opened it and brought out-half a dozen little canvas bags filled with jewelry. Lane made his selection, dropped the articles into his pocket, and returned the rest. Just then there was a sharp rap at the door. Mrs. Oaks looked up. “Who's that?” she asked. “I should like to have two words with you, Mrs. Oaks.™ It was the voice of John Wade! Quickly she gathered the packages together, them into the safe, replaced the parquet, and rolled back the hearth-rug. While she was doing this, Lane entered a big wardrobe at the end of the room. Then she unlock- ed the door. “What do you want?" she esked. To her alarm, Wade's eyes were glued on the wardrobe. “I came to ask you a question, but I seem to have arrived at a very awkward moment. Quite an unimportant ques- tlon—nothing whatever to do with my duties—but I won't wait.” He walked to the door and beamed back at her. “I'm afraid your boy friend will be suffocated. nnless you let him out soon.” he said, and closed the door. Toward evening he wandered aim- leasly along Sbaftesbury avenue, and passed through Leicester square, to one of the streets that led into the Strand. A big limousine came noiselessly from the other end of the street and stopped before a restaurant. John Wade halted. He was not curious as to the people who were being assisted from the ear by the stout commisslonaire; his chief desire was not to barge into them as they crossed the pavement. ‘The man who alighted was tall; his head was bald, and his hard, old face was covered with wrinkles. “Come on, my dear,” he said im- patiently, and assisted his companion te the pavement. She was dressed in with a decp ermine collor. A slim, radiant figure of youth: from her golden hair to the tipe of her silver shoes she was a vision of loveliness. For a moment John Wade did not see her face, and then, as she came under the ligh€, she turned her head. She did not see John Wade, but he saw her, and his jaw dropped. It was Lila Smith! (To Be Continued) Banana Silk. Most artificlel silk fabric is made of | wood pulp, but it can also be made | from cabbages, bananas or any other | vegetable matter from which cellulose |15 obtained. “FINGER-TIP CONTROL"” A single button, in center of steering wheel, controls starter, lights and horn. Simple design, casy operation. No wires in steer- ing post. You can keep your foot always on the brake when starting or re-starting on a hill, TOLEDO, Champlain St. at Kaloramd Rd. Al 3 OARTEN, i var 9T0] 2 WORRer ot ‘CAYLOR. m 'l:orol co. iy, oy 0> VOllyr-Knight OHIO Maj. Gen. Wendell C. Neville, com- mandant of the corps; Brig. Gen. Ben- jamin H. Fuller, assistant to the com- mandant, and Brig. Gen. Rufus H. Lane, adjutant and inspector, were the honor guests of the National Capital Detach- ment of the Marine Corps League last Monday evening at the meeting in the Woodmen's Temple, Grant place. Gen. Neville made an address on the objects of the Marine Corps League, of which he was recently made national com- mandant. Gens. Lane and Fuller also made addresses, the former stressing the oid adage “Once s Marine always a Marine” and the latter an interesting outline of present-day activities of the corps, which, with it various units, are scattered all over the globe. Refresh- ments were served, after which Mrs. William G. Stott rendered song selec- Melvin Mueller and Willlam Brady, violin solos and duets; little Lulu_George, recitation: Miss Cornelia Wolff, eccentric dancing; Miss Margaret Mueller, songstress, and Jerry Sickler, Chick Codfrey, Phil Osthaus, comedi- ans, and Miss Renee Settle and Mrs. B‘e.rthl Douglas, accompanists at the piano, ‘The District of Columbia unit of the | be Marine Corps Reserve Officers’ Associa- tion held a dinner at the Occidental Hotel Tuesday evening. The guest of honor was Maj. Edward H. Osterman, United States Marine Corps, who gave an address on the importance of an adequate Reserve for the corps. Pirst Lieut. Willard N, Hart, president of the local association of Corps Officers’ Re- | serve, presided. Senator Gould of Maine and Repre- sentative Maas of Minnesota also 2d- dressed the Reserve officers. Col. Julius E. Turrill has reported at corps headquarters and assumed charge ?f all Marine Corps recruiting activi- ies. The Tetiring board, of which Col. John T. Myers is presi t. Wwhite and wore & coat of silver tissue, | Hala T Lo gt o Halla recorder, met April 19, having had before it the case of Lieut. Eric W. Ojerholm. who is being considered for retirement. Andrew J. Gengler h: clerk to the examining and retiring | boards, respectively, at corps headquar- ters and is now in charge of the board- room files and records, vice Carl W. Wirl, recently transferred to a clerkship. civil service status, in the diplomatic service. Maj. John Potts, now on duty with the 4th Regiment of Marines, stationed |at Shanghai, China, has been ordered to headquarters Marine Corps. ‘Maj. Miles Thacher, at present an as- sistant adjutant and inspector, has been ACCESSORIES ADDED TO TENNIS COSTUME Loud Socks, Gaudy Scarfs and More Colorful Cardigans Being Designed. PARIS, (#).—By designing more in- teresting tennis togs than e‘ver before, style makers seem to be declaring their opinion that simple middy blouses and pleated skirts are all right for Helen Wills, but not for the average player. There are distractions in the way of m-o:ksm::‘;“' b‘(nd.m hanks, loud , gaudy scarfs and mx o tul cardigans than ever. T Basically, this year's “dernier cri” for the player is a white, sleeveless one- plece dress with a brighat colored sweater or short jacket, and a warm, white or colored topcoat. Added to that are plaid, checked, stripped and zig-zagged scarfs, hand- bags and head bands. One of the latest eye shades is joined to a three-color beret cut in sections like a base ball player’s cap. Scarf and handbag are to had in matching combinations. Mascots are another chic development of tennis and other sport clothes this season. Embroidered versions of a horse, bird, beast or fish are worn on blazers and scarf. The tortoise and the hare figure is embroidered on a Jersey knickerskirt golf dress. | CHICAGO U. ABROAD. | Institution Has List of Scientists | Inspecting Entire World. | CHICAGO (#).—The sun never sets {on the Umversity of Chicago's efforts | to find out more about man and his en- | vironments. | In virtually every clime and in every | division of time there are archeologists, | paleontologists, botanists and zoologists, | representing the school. | _Individual expeditions are in the | Karee Desert, South Africa; in Borneo, ‘Plleslln!. Hawati, the Samoan Islands, | Australia, Sicily, Algeria, China and | Japan. Lo O detached from the Department of the | Pacific (Marine Corps) and ordered to | Marine Barracks, Eighth and I streets southeast, | Pay Clerk Timothy E. 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