The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-01
lie HIDDEN DOOR
. eoeeessseeeoOe
az FRANK 1. PACKARD

face. for 1t was mostly hidden By
the others hat brim but he could see
quite plainly enough the revolver in
the outf1ung hand.
Collins lips frightened into q
straight line. 1t seemed as though
there had endured an eternity OF
time since he had first seen that
door begin to open, though In reality
he knew it could have been but
scarcely more than the passing OF
second.
Don't novel" snarled the man.
you've got your hands above your
head-keep 'em there!"
Collins mind was delving, prob
ing swiftly. What was he to do?
Not a nice situation. Not likely. but
there was always the possibility that
one of Butch Connal's crowd. or one
of the gangsters who lodged in the
house had seen him come in here:
il not, then the Mask. both by tele-
phone and physical contact through
proxy-for. disguised or not. II was
a certainty that this was not the
Mask in person - was becoming
ubiquitous tonight. This man was
too tall to be the Mask.
"All right. but this things heavy"
Colin complained; then coolly: "And
may ask what you are doing here,
and who you are?"
you're kind OF fresh, amt your"
snapped the other. swell, you won't
be so fresh when I'm through with
you! See? 1t don't matter who am.
What matters is that you are guy
named Colin Hewitt"
Il am" Colin admitted. "But how
do you know"
You're some talker, amt your"
sneered the man. II don't need to
see your map. | followed you here
from your dump, that's how / know"
"Oh, no, you didn't" Colin refuted
confidently. "Tm quite sure Of that"
"Sure. you're sure!" the man
chuckled evilly. "Gummed up your
trail and kept your eyes open. didn't
you? You're a hot detective writer,
you are! Maybe If you get out Of
this alive, which the chances are you
won't, you'll be able to hand out
some of the real goods for a change.
You were a laugh with your head go
ing around like 1t was on q swivel
trying to make sure no one was
lamping you"
Collins ire rose. All doubt that he
was dealing with one Of the Masks
tools was gone now, and It was OBJ.
viously true that he had been out.
witted, but this arraignment was a
bit stiff.
THANK you'll" he said CURLY.
\ "Tell me how"
"Aw." shifted the man contemptu.
ously. there was nothing to It! |
was waiting Just around the corner
with car where could watch that
dinky little alleyway OF yours in
case you came out. didn't know
whether I'd need car or not. but
| had 1t there. See?
"You got taxi before you'd gone
half block. | passed your taxi and
after that | kept you in sight be.
hind. When you got uptown q bit
where there was more traffic. you
passed me. Get It? And when your
taxi stopped on Fifth Avenue. was
going by you at about sixty per.
Il didn't have to worry any more.
! knew where you were going then.
and didn't mind giving you few
minutes to get your work In sos
| could get the goods on you-like
have"
The curtain pole was heavy. But
1t was only In sort OF subconscious
way that Colin was aware his arms
We're beginning to ache with the
strain. He was trapped. He had
meddled-and been caught In the
act. And Reddy's letter was In bis
pocket.
Thanks" he said again cuftiy.
"You have refused to introduce your.
self, but ] suppose. after all. that
would be superfluous. AS take II.
you are representing a certain per.
sonage known to both OF us as the
Mask, and ------"
"Cut It QUIT" interrupted the man
sayagely. You've gassed plenty.
Wen get down to cases."
A sudden inspiration dawned In
Collins mind. Grim. swift humor. an
ironic laugh ct himself was In his
soul. II was what he would have
had his daring and resourceful"
hero do. OF course. II he had been
writing the scene. Well. II It was
plausible. there was a chance. an
even chance-if he could bait the
trap. This thing weighed q ton. How
much longer could he stand here
balanced on the chair like some
trick performer on stages
fcopwtohs. 1855 Frank L. Packardl