Mixup In La Cruza

Personal notice, Stange is my stock and trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you got a job for me, George Valentine. Right full details. Standard Oil Company of California on behalf of independent chevron gas stations and standard stations throughout the West invites you to let George do it.

Mix up in La Cruza, another adventure of George Valentine. Dear Mr. Valentine, The little town of La Cruza is located on the coast of Mexico. First airplane stop to yourself. In the spring before the heat sets in, it's lovely, lovely.

I know you'll enjoy it. I have the week I've been here. Your plane tickets are enclosed, and of course, there's only the 1.10. Quite adequate, with better than average menu. Your assignment will be quite simple, Mr. Valentine.

Theft. Just ordinary theft. Small object of great value worth perhaps $100,000. I know you'll have no trouble stealing it whatsoever and getting away with it. Any violence that you find necessary will be that much to the good.

Even though the person you'll steal from will, quite naturally, be me. Of course, I'll write you a note sometime after your arrival tomorrow to cover your more specific instructions. I suggest that your assistant travel more or less in cognitos.

As a divorcee perhaps, since divorce is a rather popular business here in La Cusa. And as for you, Mr. Valentine, I have complete confidence in your ability to steal from me and in your ability to behave in a most criminal manner.

Yours most sincerely Pasco-Vantiful. Of the paper-doll-cutting-Vantifles, I suppose. No, George. It's R-D-G-D-A. Huh? Royal Dutch Gem Dealers Association and member of the International Diamond Dealers Institute. Oh, you mean it's me that's supposed to be crazy.