"George W. Hicks," I said. "It's in the register. Room 215. You just g "Believe me," I said. "There's only one reason I don't. Even if you ha She tossed her head. "You are shocked?" Her eyes rolled. Her shoulders "If I am, I'm certainly getting nowhere fast. Just what do you think m I smelled Los Angeles before I got to it. It smelled stale and old lik "Well, I called the place where he worked. The Cal-Western Company, yo "For Christ's sake," I said. "Don't you ever think of anything but one You could know Bay City a long time without knowing Idaho Street. And "For Christ's sake," I said. "Don't you ever think of anything but one The phone clicked in my ear. I hung up. For no reason a pencil rolled "And just what would I get for this money, my charming little gum-shoe "Couldn't you make it a minute? I like looking at you." The big man turned to me placidly. "Why do all these punks keep saying I drove back to Hollywood and locked myself in the office with the Bay "That why you have the .45 gun in there?" I pointed to the suitcase. "Oh no. This is Dr. Alfred Zugsmith, in Manhattan. Manhattan, Kansas, "I paid you twenty dollars, Mr. Marlowe," she said coldly. "I understo I banged on the screen door. The man paid no attention. I banged again Over the telephone the Bay City Camera Shop man said: "Yes, Mr. Hicks. "That's no way to talk to people over the telephone," she said sharply Beifus said: "Leave us do the thinking sweetheart. It takes equipment. I said it again. He smeared his face with his hands and said tersely: "It's a little late for a business call," the big man said and hid hal I waved a hand at her "Anything out of the ordinary in it? Anything un I opened a window and leaned my forehead against the screen to get a l "Yes. I am so sorry," she sighed. "That is, I think I am. Sometimes I She giggled again and disengaged herself gracefully. "I guess you thin
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