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Fifty Candles

do know the address, of course. The house is on California Street.” He mentioned a number.

“There are no street signs on the lamps,” I said.

“No. But at each corner the name of the street is carved in the sidewalk. Let’s try that.”

We walked along to the nearest crossing. Neither of us had a match; but by stooping and running his fingers along the damp walk Parker came upon the name carved in the stone. I leaned over beside him, and we began to spell it out. It was in such a silly posture that Riley the policeman found us as his big bulk emerged from the fog.

“What the hell?” said Riley, not without reason.

“It’s Riley!” I cried. “Good enough!”

“Who are you?” he wanted to know.

“A friend of Mr. Drew,” I told him. “I was there a while ago when you called to see if everything was O. K.”

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