The Adventures of Frank Race - The Adventure of the House Divided

Frank was in San Francisco on Chestnut Street when he smells the aroma of hot fresh baked bread. He quickly makes his way toward the door of an old-fashioned bakery. There were several customers at the counter, so he is forced to wait. Suddenly, a hand touches his arm. A man says "You're Frank Race ain't you?" Frank says "Yes, I know you don't I?" The man says "I'm Tom Crowell". Frank says "Crowell, of course I remember you". Crowell says "I used to work for Manhattan Insurance Company. I was with you on the Lambert Case". Frank says "You saved my life with some pretty fast shooting. What made you leave the insurance company?" Crowell says "I'm not as young as I used to be, Race. I get tired of traveling, so I turn private eye for whoever wants to hire me. I'm on a job right now and I think I'm in a jam". Frank asks "A jam?"  Crowell says "Yeah, it's this package. I think I'm being followed because I'm carrying it. That's why I ducked in here. I thought I'd go out the back way into the alley. I picked a bad one, because there's no back way and no alley which means that if they've spotted me I'm stuck, but good. Four to one. Kind of rough odds". Frank says "Call it four to two, Crowell". He says "I was hoping you'd say that Race, but there's one of them now on the sidewalk". The man on the sidewalk eyed us for a second or so, then, slipping a hand inside the lapel of his jacket, he started for the bakery door. A second man followed him. As they came inside, I moved away from Crowell and stepped up to the counter. The clerk asks "What can I do for you sir?" Frank says "I'll just take a couple of these chocolate eclairs you have here. How much?" The clerk says "That will be 30 cents. Would you like a bag for them?" Frank says "No thanks. I'll just keep them in my hands. Care for one of these, Crowell?" He says "No thanks, Race". The man from the sidewalk says "Better have one, Crowell. You take that and we'll take that package you carry. Don't get any ideas about going for the heater. I've got mine in my hand already".