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Since he had never had a youth, it was his first milk shake

’I know It’s funny, everybody in this city breaks the law drinking bourbon and beer,’ said the detective, ’so soht In any case, Prohibition isn’t going to last for ever, and thento discover I really do like hed for a second time

’Now to your problems, Mr Rosnovski First I have to tell you, I don’t think you have a snowball’s chance in hell of picking up the insurance on that hotel The fire experts have been going over the re with a fine tooth - comb and they found the place was soaked in kerosene No atteuise it There were traces of the stuff all over the baseone up like a Roman candle!

’Do you have any idea who is responsible?’ asked Abel

’Let rudge against the hotel or you personally?’

Abel grunted ’About fifty people, Lieutenant, I cleared out a real can of worive you a list, if you think it ht, but the way people are talking out there, I may not need it,’ said the lieutenant ’But if you pick up any definite information, let me know, Mr Rosnovski You let me know, because I warn you, you have ene street

’What do youyou did it, because you lost everything in the crash and needed the insurance money’

Abel leaped off his stool

’Calm down, calm down I know you were in Boston all day and,hotels up, not burning them down But someone did burn the Rich to find out who So let’s leave it at that for the moment’ He swivelled off his own stool ’The milk shake’s on me, Mr

Rosnovski I’ll expect a favour froirl at the cash desk, ad skirts He handed her fifty cents ’Keep the change, honey’

’A big thank you,’ the girl replied

’Nobody appreciates hed for a third tiht possible an hour before

’By the way,’ the lieutenant continued as they reached the door, ’the insurance people are looking for you I can’t reuess he’ll find you Don’t hit him If he feels you were involved, who can bla to talk to you again’

Abel watched the lieutenant vanish into the crowd of spectators and then walked slowly over to the Stevens Hotel and booked hiht The desk clerk, who had already checked uests in, couldn’t suppress a ser in, too Once in his room, Abel sat down and wrote a formal letter to Mr