◆ SpookStack

* 227, “Dey fellow that collects the mail in the basement is ® friend. or Doc's. That is, he speaks to hia. The felloyr cho lists his letters . on tre correspe:darce sheet is arked every tine Doc writes & letter "Did it so out?! Tinat can I do with then, if they'd later tell Doc they save zc, for you, ono ef his lettors?" “Tol tex Il ver ten what they vant i" “They're not that kind, ‘They heave money. " “They mickt do it as a favor for you," Capone supgests. "They night. But thes absolutely wont do it ir they know it's for you. They are afraid.” Shavings arpues. . “ “Buddy, if you want to do something for me, like you did pefore, you'll cet that letter. If you don't - “" "Te that a threat?” asks Shavings anusingly- a. Capone is lost in deop reflection. Shaviry.e wonders just what that unfinished sentence means. Doss it convey an admonition? Veiled as At is, Shavings is uncertain. _ He is no lenger tho indifferent, reliable and trustworthy secreter, he wane was six monthe ofo. Capone has him in an ‘octoms pripe « « Thore ano releses unless he holds out a sample of Doc's handwriting. Then the tentacles might relax, and he may find himself free from worry and despair. "Get Capone the next letter Doc writes,” Shavings informs one of the mail office inmates. “He must have itr" “qhat's up?" asks the man in ® position to get the letter. "Doc wrote a rap ageinst you and Capone. Capone wants to prove it's Doc's hardwriting.” Shavings is « clever lier. "I never did like that rat," the mail office lomte ancvers, » his ire now aroused eceinst Dos. . The letter, therefore, is promised. It is not immediately prodvoed due to the unforeseen iliness of the imate relicd upon to "get" the letter the morning after Doo deposited it in the mailbox. A substitute, of course, is not approached. . So what apparently is the last opportunity to get the desired handwriting is lost! ee tas