The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-11
Chapter II
cERMAINE's PROMISE

eERMAINE's PROMISE
Nor" Germaine inquired softly.
"And do you always go armed?
Il iS rather obvious that this club
here is very far removed from the
innocent paradise Of sportsmen that
II pretends to be! What are you?
A detectiye?"
"oh. Lord. mol" He forced a
laugh. "But I've created a lot of
them-rather moIdy ones. I'm afraid.
I'm Colin Hewitt. write books"
Il know the name" she said, "and
Isuppose. to be really true to form.
| ought to say that have read and
loved every book you have ever writ
ten, and"
DON'T" he grosned.
"I.won't," she assured him calmly.
Is Jadmit have never read even one
or Them
lyon wouldn't" he stated conf.
IDENTIFY. Il don't write the sort Of
stun that would appeal to you. Just
lhriliers-as bloodthirsty and as hor-
ribly creepy as possible, Of course.
I've never written love story. for
instance. In my life."
"oh! And why not?"
because | can't" he confessed.
There has TO be girl because the
dear publishers insist on 1t, but the
best can do is most awfully uncon.
vincing--l Just have to drag her In
By the hair OF the head"
He heard her laugh ripple under
her breath.
"Just like I'VE been dragged in
tonight2"
"Well-er-yes, IN a way" he
stammered. "But this isn't a story
Nevertheless. | rather like it,
being dragged In By the hair OF the
head-so far" she confided. "But
why this sudden shedding OF your
cloak. Mr. HewItt--or should say.
Mr.. Howard2"
II see you haven't judged me
harshly- offhand." he said, CRATE,
fully.
Judgment reserved" she an
swered. II asked you a question"
Because" be said earnestly. II
want to exact promise from you
that. for the time being at least. you
won't say anything about what has
happened tonight"
isn't that q very strange re.
q1est7" Her voice was suddenly Sc.
rluus. Il don't understand"
Il want to tell you . little story"
Ne said quietly. "Do you mind?
Will be- just as brief as can"
Il am listening" she invited.
The minutes passed many OF
them. The story did not lend itself
70 brevity. There was too much to
ten. so many sidellgh.s. II she was
20 understand. And so he told her Of
Annie. and French Pee and the
Mask. and Reddy Turner'S murder.
lEverything-except his promise to
Rsddy, and the actual purpose OF
his visit to Butch Connal's room.
!" ND so you see" he snded. ''why
- at present am man without
q home aud without . name. That
brings as TO tonight. haven't said
anything 30 far about Lazarre: but
] have reason to hope that can get
him 20 help me pick up the Masks
trail. That's why ! asked for your
promise"
"You have my promise" she said
simply.
And somehow In the darkness
lthelr. hands met. She did not draw
hers away. And for moment they
sat thus In silence. He was not
tongue-tied now-he was fghtlng
70 hold back the rush Of words that
were on his lips. He coald not bring
her intimately into his life as mat.
ters stood. II would not be fair to
hsr--if he found that she cared. It
would only be inviting her into dan.
ser OF the ugliest kind.
His hand tightened warmly over
hers and then released Il.
That's ripping OF youl" be said.
81 don't need to tell you that the
club. IN its own par,ance. viii be
taken for ride In ira eoarse-aad
shs road won't be any the smoother
because Of the delay
-what do you think they are do
tnK there she asked.
4 haven't the taintesi idea" he
aid.
"But i.aEarres~ she questioned. II
ton't understand about LaxaTre. You