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Show ; ALEXANDER KORDA I EDMUND LOWE 'MURDER on DIAMOND EOW br EDGAR WALLACE WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE An epidemic of jewel thefts has hit London. The stolen goods are disposed of through The Squeaker, a mystery man to both the underworld and Scotland Yard. He beats down the prices of the jewels, but maintains his hold over the thieves by threat of exposure to the Yard, a threat he has made good several times. The theft of the Van Mssik pearls is the latest sensation. We know that they have been stolen by Larry Graeme, sweetheart of the night club singer, Tamara. But Collie, reporter on the big-'gest big-'gest London paper, and on the trail of the Squeaker, is completely com-pletely mystified. Bo also is Boot-land Boot-land Yard, which orders a roundup round-up of suspects. Inspector Marshall Mar-shall finds a former Yard operative, Barrabal, among the suspects. He is disheveled, haggard. hag-gard. The inspector questions him. - Somehow Larry managed to make Barrabel believe he knew nothing about his quarry. "Anyway I'm in love, and I'm not running any risks." "Then stay away from The Squeaker," was Barrabal's parting warning. In a waterfront pub, Barrabal found the reporter Collie over a glass of beer. - "I understand there's a man around here who helps people who are down and out. Doesn't object to past records or things like that. As a matter of faot, he's particularly particu-larly kind to criminals." "Oh, strrange," was Collie's rejoinder. re-joinder. "Very strange. Who is he?" Meesterr Frrank Sutton, a vurry respectable business man. You'll find him at A. G. Stedman & Company." Com-pany." "Could you give me a note to him?" "I'd be glad to. Do ye have a pencil ?" "A. G. Stedman 'n cumpany!" The voice had a flat resonant whine. "Nooo, Mr. Sutton is not in. Noo, there are no jobs. No don't come in." The plug flipped out and clicked click-ed into its place on the board. "That's not nice, Milly," Carol Stedman objected. She had just entered en-tered with an armful of roses to hear the conversation. "Well, they're always pesti.i.ng. Chapter Two "It's a long story," Barrabal be-Jan. be-Jan. It was a common story. Drink nd dissipation had accounted for his decline through a number of rears. Now he was at the end of the rope. When he was finished, the Superintendent Super-intendent was silent for a moment. The figure traced the word "Rissik" on the window. rYou were a good detective. I missed mis-sed you. I could give you a job right r.ow. Barrabal do you think tyou could cut out drinking if I give you another chance?" I Barrabal's mouth grew tense. "I'd jcut cut breathing for that." . "All right," the Superintendent Epokc and drew up a chair for Bar- i raba! beside his desk. "There's a man who's been running us in circles cir-cles for months." I "You mean The Squeaker?" "Yes, ii's the cleverest criminal In London. He runs the underworld. under-world. . ." Larry Graeme walked quickly to the side of the sedan. "Are you looking for a valuable ,Cllk scarf?" i The finger traced the one word i "RISSIK" on the window, i "Right, Rissik. They're worth 60,000, but I'll let you have them : lor Uhirty. . .10,000? Do you think I'm crazy. Listen I've got the stuff ! right here, but I'm not giving it ' sway . . ." j The fmger wrote. . ."15". ! "You can have them, but not at ; that price." The hand rose to wipe cut the writing on the window. Larry Lar-ry peered intently through the window. win-dow. He cried out in surprise. "I know who you are! . . .why you )B.re ..." The name was lost in the roar ff the motor as the car hurtled i away. ! Perhaps it was chance, maybe the ipood detective's instinct that led .JJarrabal to Larry Graeme in his hunt for The Squeaker. Barrabal '.tame to the point quickly. :- "Well, what's it got to do with '"?" Larry asked. J 1 know the game you're in. I (frnow how you get rid of the stuff. Booner or latw you have to deal with The Squeaker. And everyone (who's dealth with him. winds up (h!nd the ten or worse." And you should see of them that come in here," Milly offered in defense. de-fense. "But you can't judge people by their clothes. Next time some one comes in see how nice you can be." "Yes, miss." There was an 'I'll show her" look in Milly's eye. Carol walked into Frank Sutton's office, shutting the door behind her. It was at that moment that Barrabal Bar-rabal made his entrance. Milly, eying ey-ing him critically, decided that he was just about the dirtiest bum that had ever shown up in the premises. pre-mises. And with scarcely concealed glee, she sent him directly into Sutton's Sut-ton's office. When the door closed, he saw Carol. "Oh, I'm sorry! he began, but she whirled, and he saw golden hair framing a pair of incredibly blue eyes, a snub nose and fresh cheek. She saw something in him too It was not difficult to talk to her. ' In a moment he had introduced himself as "Captain John Leslie " confessed his bad luck, admitted that he was looking for a job. She asked him more questions, then hurried into the outer office. "When will Mr. Sutton be in'' she asked Milly and just as the girl finished admitting she did not 1 know, Sutton made his entrance. Brisk and dapper, he was a young man with the seal of success and self-esteem stamped all over him He greeted Carol by showing' the i pleasant surprise any young man shows at an unexpected visit from . his fiancee. Carol prepared him for "Captain Leslie". She pleaded with him very frankly to help him, then led him into the office and introduced the : two men to each other. Then she i ; hurried away, pleading an appoint- i ment. (To be Continued) Copyrtrht ltll tu United ArMaU ConrUoa |