all I've done for him, for him to talk to me like that!

anyway, he finally agreed to come by about nine. I begged him, Willie, literally begged him to forget the past three "Yeah. But you should have seen him months and come back. He laughed at turn pale when I went over and took me. He said he'd never appreciated freethe whole handful and swallowed them dom until now! Imagine! And I always in three gulps. Honestly, you should have let him do as he pleased! Always! I gave seen his face. I thought he was going him everything. He sat there sipping my to stop me for a minute, but then he best champagne and laughed at me! said, 'What did you do, substitute flour Money was never a consideration, you in them?' I'm glad he didn't say soda. know that, and you know what he called I know I'd have given myself away. But me? A tight fisted, fading, old snob! he really was worried. I could tell. And Imagine! He really went too far right when I gave him my ring and watch he there, Willie." did look upset. He refused to take them "Thank you, doll. I appreciate that... at first. Then when I begged him to I know you mean it. You're the exact take them as my dying request, he agreed opposite of that wretched little nobody. but he was cad enough to say he'd Anyway, when I told him I'd taken an send them back tomorrow when I was overdose of sleeping pills, he threw back feeling better! Imagine! his head and roared! He said I'd never have the guts! Imagine! . . . Well, we'll see how he likes facing life as a jailbird. People won't break their necks getting to him once he's branded as a thief!" the radio. Mr. Montovani's orchestra Johnny stabbed out his cigarette and flexed his fingers admiring the play of light on the lacquered nails.

"Too harsh? Willie, I've given him every chance known to man to make amends and come back to me and all he did was laugh at me. He really was nasty at the last. He went into the bedroom and brought out my bottle of capsules. He said, 'Are these what you took,' and when I said it was he said I hadn't taken enough to insure a good night's sleep! Then he poured the rest of the bottle out in his hand and said, "Take this many and maybe you will do the world a favor!' Imagine, and after

one

Someone at your door? Okay, but hurry. The cops are on their way over, you know." Johnny put the telephone on the amethyst velvet sofa and went to turn off

was snapped back into the cold dark night outside on the highest note of Charmaine. Johnny returned to the telephone, the frown deepening between his aging eyes as the number of minutes mounted. At last Willie returned, but not to relieve him of the frown.

"He's down there with you," Johnny gasped... But why?... He said that I'd sent my watch and ring down to you! What absolute cunning! And the police due here anytime! That little beast! I'll get him if it's the last thing I ever do! I'd better get dressed and come down there and get them before the police arrive . . . The Nelsons are with you?

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