The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-04-22

qfrfvea. CONTRASTING her dfSt1ete OF
the dark corridors and strange
noises OF the OLD hotel.
--
Chapter rs
SUES FEAR
CUE took a long breath. Her hands
- had met and we're family pink
against the black velvet OF the coat
she wore-the same coat she'd worn
the previous night. and the same
slender scarlet slippers with their
shining silver heels were there on
the rug with the flickering lights on
them, too.
1--WE come to let you know-what
know. Because you sae--" she hest.
tated-"you see. I'm afraid that the
man was killed." she hesitated
again, and then the words came out
In little ush--"because OF mel"
she said amazingly and looked at
me again.
Because Of you'll"
She nodded.
"It's terrible. isn't it," she said.
Are you sure you want to hear?"
"Of course want to hear" Il said.
But don't be frightened, Don't look
as IL you were blaming yourself.
Let's talk about 1t coolly ana SEN
sibIy.p
Her cheeks grew pink.
"T'm being sensible" she said in-
dignantly. But 1t Is dreadful.
shall never forget how he--" She
stopped herself abruptly and went
on: "Pm not frightened. And I'm
not silly and nervous over nothing"
Il know that said hastily. And
did know 1t. There was courage in
the very lift Of her head on her
slender white neck.
Tell me anything you wish. and
don't feel that you are burdening
me with your troubles. AS matter
Of fact, I'm In a rather unpleasant
sort Of Ok myself. aEA rye got TO
get myself out Of It. And while rye
got notions In plenty about all this
business there are few things
know definitely. And l thought. Of
course. that your--experisnce OF
last night
Abduction" she said firmly.
Eyes. That It was likely the muir
der somehow concerned 1t. Other
wise one would be expecting too
much OF coincidence
'Vary WE'LL" she said, "Ill have
no moro scruples, then. hut It's 3
rather dihicult story, and &c has 20
DO with things that one does not or.
dinariiy tell = strangers -" she
paused over the word and chose an.
that ono does not ordinarily
tell friends. don't know where to
begin"
TELL mo why you were abducted"
said. liking the word friends. EDO
You know why7"
"Oh. yes" she said ct once. II was
abducted because OF something
possess" She laughed rather sadly
and continued: Il haven't any
money. But i've got something that's
worth. roughly. about five millions"
She looked at me douhtfully and
added: Dollars. / mean"
believed her. I was e little
stunned. but I believed every word
she'd said.
The amazing thing about It was
that believed II in spite Of
voice which was saying inside me:
That's right. Believe her. she'll
say next that she's got some OF the
Russian Crown jewels and that 4
gang OF BolshevIsta are after her
and them. And youlI believe that
too
in that case" | said. you'd BET.
ter put It In q safe place.
-VoU don't believe me- abe said
= quietly.
"yes. I do. I don't want to. but
DO. know that every word you've
said is the TRUTH
"And after I've gone" she said
very quietly. ~after i've gone. you'll
wonder how you came to credit Il
for a moment Well. ! can quite IN
derstand it.v
"You don't understand IN the
least said hrusauely.
I offered her q cigarette. lighted
ono myself at her nod. and threw
the match toward the ira and said !;
-All Eight. What nexti As I say
you'd better put Il In safe place
whatever II la
"oh. it's In a safe place." abe said
-And actually I've only got halt 81
it--what l have isn't worth . cent
all By itself. But yen see--this n the