The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-16
lie HIDDEN DOOR
BY FRANK Z. PACKARD

That gave him half an hours start
to begin with before Dollaire even
sent ashore for his men and finally
decided on his plans--and Dollaire's
schooner, though it would. Of course,
have an auxiliary engine, was not at
all likely to be any more speedy
than this launch.
With the lighthouse behind him
now, Colin set his course; but, err.
ing a little on the side OF safety,
headed slightly in toward the coast
line. There was the promise of a
moon later-just when, he did not
know. But unless 1t came out be-
fore then as an aid to visibility, It
would be an hour at least before he
could hope to pick up the point.
And then his face hardened. He
must get into touch with Lazarre-
warn Lazarre. He did not know
Lazarre. True, he had a description
Of Lazarre-but it was a description
that would fit a thousand other
dark-complexioned men. Could he
go up to the club and ask bluntly
for Lazarre? How would Lazarre
explain that to the others?
Then. otherwise. how pick La.
zarre out from his fellows-unless
Lazarre went around half naked, ex.
hibiting that bullet scar on his right
shoulder? But even granting that
he was able to identify the man,
how get to Lazarre without any Of
the others knowing it? This for
Lazarre's own sake.
DUT suppose he couldn't reach La.
- zarre without any Of the others
knowing about itH Dollaire's'raid in.
volved everyone at the club-includ.
ing Lazarre. The warning would
have to be given just the same. How.
then, to account for Collins presence
at the club. and how he came to
know about Dollaire? And suppose
he did get the ear of Lazarre alone2
What would Lazarre do? He would
hardly desert his companions. Then
how would Lazarre explain the
warning he had received?
And then he did not know what
racket they were exploiting at the
club under the Masks guiding gent!
US. but suppose, even In the face
Of q warning that made It clear
they would be hopelessly outnum.
bered. they decided to fight 1t out?
What then? Lazarre possessed no
charmed life" any more than the
rest of them. And Lazarre dead
A twister! He laughed suddenly
out into the night. He had always
claimed that suspense was the es-
sence OF story, and that the appar.
emily unsolvable problems piled one
upon another were the essences of
suspense. A story? A CHASTITY anal.
ogyl II only this were no more than
Ia story!
Time passed. The moon came out.
There was the point. He swung
around 1t and headed into the bay.
Lights. window lights, showed dimly
in the distance. The club! On the lap
Of the gods-there was no other
answer.
Hot coffee and sandwiches! Ger.
maine! He had o far greater stake
on the board now than the salvaging
Of his own skin. The vista Of years
stretched out before him, glad years,
all that he yearned for--if she cared.
The roar Of waters came to him
family. He pulled himself together.
What was It they had said only yes
terday about the Cascade Ri-sr?
Two channels emptying into the
bay: deep water II one Rugged the
shore of the point-deep enough
that II one went up the river a bit
one could moor alongside the shore
without fear OF the boat being
stranded by the tide.
The lights on the shore grew
brighter. He was near enough TO the
club now. Il would only be a short
walk II he landed here: whereas,
from the roar OF the falls that por-
tended fast water. the river might
prove tricky II he went up any far
ther. He stopped the engine and
headed In for the shore. reversed
and the nose OF the launch grounded
gently.
He stood up, moved toward the
bow--and halted in blank stupefac-
tion. Someone was crawling out
from under the bit OF decking there.
A shaft Of moonlight fell upon the
figure. Germaine!
And stnpefaction passed. He was
beside himself with fear and anxiety.
He sprang toward her and grasped
her by the shouiders-violently.
"You." be blurted out almost in.
sanely. Don't you know why said
you were not to comet Don't you
understand? Don't you know that I
love you-that there Is danger
heref"
And then in the moonlight he could
see that her eyes were wet. though
her lips were smiling
"It's tfty.fifty. isn't IT." she an
swered. Il love you too"
lCopprieAf. fsst. FraHk &. Paekardy
TomcFreW. celia ptunaea into
danger.