The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-12
he HIDDEN DOOR.

BY FRANK Z. PACKARD

,sessosesossssssSssssesse
room opened and closed. Footsteps
thumped down the stairs.
Colin stared into the darkness. He
was thinking fast now. It was clear
enough that this Dollaire was the
head of a bootlegging outfit OF which
this precious pair were a part. And
what was obviously in the wind now
was sort Of hi-jacking expedition.
He could have looked on with utter
complacency, not to say applause,
had 1t not been Tor LaEarre.
There would be a fight-and it
would not be a bieodless one. Dol
laire had evidently come prepared.
A choice crowd aboard that schoon.
er. beyond question! It would proba.
bly, result In a siiambles. Well, the
world would not miss the passing Of
any one OF them, except that there
was Lazarre.
He could not afford TO risk any.
thing happening to Lazarre. He must
warn LazarFe. That was imperative.
The fog last night had lifted Just
after midnight, and Germaine and
he had returned to Cap a Forage
without further mishap. He had had
the whole day in which to talk to
BouchaFd, but caution. perhaps an
exaggerated caution. had prompted
him to wait until darkness had set
in.
But he wished now, In view OF
what he had just heard, that he had
gone during the day. He would have
known now what to do-he would
have known whether or not he cared
to trust BouehaFd In the first place:
and, secondly. whether or not Bou.
chard would be willing to act as
guide.
II the "Trip Svsgl2nd we're feasible,
1t had. apart from the element of
time, one incaleulable advantage
over a boat--it could be done much
more secretly.
LIE STRUCK the match now and
: = looked at his watch. Half-past
eight. Not so bad! He had thought
1t much later than that. It would take
him, say. half an hour all told to
reach Bouchard's shack and have q
talk with the man. There was time
enough. II everything sized up all
right. he and Bouchard would be OF
at once, and he would have to make
bis peace later with Germaine for
not keeping his appointment with
her this evening.
II, on the other hand, Bouchard,
for whatever reason, did not DIT into
the picture, that was another matter
and another way must be found.
There was always the possibility. OF
course, that Bopchard might not
even be at home But one thing at |
= time.
He swung himself on the bed, |
paused to slip an extra box OF carte
ridges into his pocket. went down
the stairs. and out into the street.
It was inky black. Cap d Forage
boasted no street lamps, and there
was as yet no moon. But the lighted
windows OF the scattered houses
marked the way. At the end of the
street, remembering bis walk with
Germaine. he turned into what was
no more than u wagon track that led
through a stretch OF sparse timber.
land.
Here the going was not so good.
The track was full OF ruts and fun
Of holes, which IN turn were filled
with water. He could see practically
nothing at all. The land here was
marshy, and, besides. Il had rained
heavily during the past few days, 60
that once, verging from the track. he
went In over MS boot tops--and
swore heartily.
There was nearly half q mile OF
Il: but finally. as he rounded sharp
turn In the wagon track. he saw Q
light glimmering through an open
window no more than a few yards
away.
There was no doubt about Il be.
Ing Rouchard's shack. because no
one else lived out this way: at least
I was the only dwelling. or pretense
10 q dwelling. that he had seen on
his walk with Germaine that day:
Ind there was no doubt but that
Bouchard Was at home--his fears on
hat score were set at rest. /
And then abruptly he halted. It
vas . warm, muggy night-which
acc0unted for the open window.
Bouchard was at home undoubtedly.
1as BouehaTd was not alone. Voices.
speaking in French, aoatea out to
I'm on the night air. He could not
hear what was said from where he
Itood, but hls muscles tensed sud.
leniy. seemingly OF their own ac-
ord. There was something familiar
lboat two OF those voices.
fCoeprieAt, 1883. Fraak Z. Paekard)