No doubt but that the sturdy captain would keep his word. The opening gun of the crime war had been fired and heard around the town. Use of the dragnet would result in the apprehension of a certain number of criminals, but would it be drawn tight enough to hold that super-criminal, Big Ed Margolo?
Dave Cates shook his head doubtfully. “Go to it, captain,” he said, “and may good luck go with you.”
At that moment a small boy came into the room. “I gotta note here for Mr. Cates,” he said hesitantly.
“Right here, sonny,” said the radio cop. He took the note and glanced through it.
The note consisted of just three words: “Please be careful.”
“Mash note, Dave?” inquired Patrolman Tom Jennings, who was brushing the lint from his blue trousers.
“Be yourself!” retorted the radio cop. He looked intently at the boy. “Who gave you this?” he demanded.
“Miss Talbot on North Street,” said the youngster promptly.
Cates wrinkled his pug nose in the endeavor to spur his memory. “Talbot? Talbot? Can’t seem to place the name.”
“Anabelle Talbot,” put in Patrolman Jennings. “Sure. North Street is on my beat and I see her brother about every night. He tells me she always listens in to your broadcasts. Pretty soft for you, havin’ all these classy dames⸺”