The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-09-06
Chapter 80
poLLAiRE,s TRIcK

Chapter 80
DoLLAIRE's TRICK
DUCK O'MARA was shaking hands
- with someone-and then Colin
heard him speak:
"rm Buck O'Mara. Heimie sent
me. You're Dollaire, of course. Glad
10 know you."
ME? Sure, I'm Dollaire!" There
was a tinge Of boastfulness In the
others voice. $50 Heimie, he's moi
here, Ell? He said maybe he'd come
out"
"Heimie-out here!" Buck O'Mara
laughed derisively. HE must have
been corned to the toes If he said
that. He doesn't take any chances OF
getting his feet wet. or getting pep
pered by the revenue men any more
He don't have to. Heimie's big bust
ness now and nothing else"
"WelI, me-" said Dollaire, II don't
give q damn about that. But maybe
he sent something else besides you.
Ell? That was the bargain. What you
! call it?--spot cash before a case
she's go over the side. Yes"
tive got 1t here" Buck o'Mara
lpatted his pocket. Il suppose you'll
want to count 1t. If you do, we'd bet
ter go down TO your cabin. hadn't
we? You can't count it in the dark. "
sYou betyou want to count It, "
Dollaire asserted bluntly. do you
think. me. | am foolish? Heimie,
maybe he is all right. but the money,
she Is talk"
Got your fingers crossed, eh7'
Buck O'Mara inquired jestingly,
well. lead on. We're wasting time
The boys'll probably have to make
more than one trip tonight to land
everything that Heimie said you told
him was aboard. And. say, Dollaire
that goes the other way too-we're
counting the cases as we get them
Fair enough, eh?"
"That part. she's all right, "
grunted Dollaire. Come on!"
Dollaire. followed by Buck O'Mara
with Benny Malone and Colin trail
ling behind. led the way aft.
| Benny Malone's elbow prodded
Collins side.
| Keep your rod handy" whispered
Benny Malone. you're going to see
lsomething. Clarke. take It from me
you're going to see that big stiff
down on his knees and the sweat
pouring out Of him like he was a
hydrant. And when they hear q shot
from the cabin the boys'll pile
aboard and mop up the rest"
But the sweat ct the moment was
on Collins brow-not on Dollaire's.
IN the darkness he wiped 1t away
with sweep Of his sleeve. His feet
seemed unsteady perhaps It was
the rise and fall Of the deck as the
vessel rode the swelis.
The chattering voices around hin
became the screams and yells ar
ehrieks OF doomed men--the for
he saw lining the rail and the +
ures that fitted here and tn
about the deck were but wraiths
turned to gibber and haunt
schooner. which once. In the
earthly existence. had been
habitat.
a ND there was no single u,
that he could do. no warning
could give that would have any
feet other than to precIpltata Il
impending holocaust and bs
about his own destruction rs We
"That goes by mel" unhelievp
Il was his own voice speaking
ionsly-with even a jeer in It. =
looming TO him. isn't itg"
"clarkie." said Benny Mal
open-heartedly. you're The Il
goods. | wish you and me had
mp before. Now watch your step
you'il bust your neck, .
The advice was not ill.tlmed I
descent to the cabin was by way
short. steep. ladder-llka comps
lionway. Colin. bringing up the req
negotiated II and stood In the
cabin itself.
He tiung a swift. comprehensive
glance around him.
The cabin was not elaborate, nor
was It large. Running fore aud AT.
bunk was on one side. settee or
|sorts. with torn covering. on the
|other. A swinging oil lamp. lighted.
hung low over table In the center.
IA small safe stood against the after
Ibulkhead.
There were two chairs. one on