The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-12-19
Chapter 80
CURT DECIDES

CURT DECIDES
DAUL wondered If Curt would
throw up this Karakhan case
altogether. What a stew Sonya had
made Of It! Except for her. they
would already have closed In on the
man. Not only had they wasted
precious days. but their best hope
had gone glirnmering. the hope or
shadowing LeNoir, for without a
doubt he suspected them now and
would never let them follow him to
his chief.
Occasionally he glanced down
toward the Iskitimwah mouth. bur
saw nothing Of his partner. A little
before noon he could stand II no,
longer. Dropping down lake. he
landed and walked back into the
pines.
Curt was sitting against a boulder.
tracing meaningless patterns on the
wolf-foot with a stick. He was
plunged into deep thought. motion
less, dead pipe In his teeth. His
face was gray and haggard. his eyes
had hard light in them; and when
he looked up and smiled. 1t was
hffforIv ovnfoof evnffa
But in spite Of those ravages and
OF the many times when Paul had
seen the steely self-control that lay
deep-down in Curt, he was surprised
that his partner could have taken
so terrible blow and then. within
the space OF a few hours. could have
shaken 1t of and got himself IN
hand. He no longer seemed confused
and bewildered. as last night at the
sentry rocks.
Curt pointed with the stick. See
that pair OF black lilies there. nod.
ding their heads together? The
smaller one Is Sonya volkov. and the
other is her Cossack. I'm going to
pull Karakhan's head OF In q min.
ute. ri do II as an agent OF the law.
and not out of any jealousy over her.
Lord. nol-l couldn't be jealous OF
anything that he owns. I'll take the
blossom over and give II to her. and
then. after we nail him. I'll tell her
what I meant BY H.
mail him? You're still going
ahead with this huntg"
why not? We started It. we'll 20
through with 1t. And from now on
there'll be no more pussyfooting or
generosity to strangers | want TO
get through with this mess and get
back down north to our Three
Rivers country rye been thinking
OF the NahannI Mountains. Pros
pecting In the Nahannis will be
good way for q fellow to forget
lie got up. put on his Jacket. and
plucked the taller Of the two black
lilies. Over the other one he hest.
tated a moment. A shudder went
through him as he took hold OF Il.
But then with a savage gesture he
jerked II up By the roots and hung
II away. and brushed HIS hands.
How're you going TO ind himf"
Paul queried. "LeNoir is suspicious
OF US. He won't ever lei Us shadow
him now"
I'VE won't try to shadow LeNoir.
We've got an easier way OF Hndlng
Karakhan. Sonya volkov has been
hard luck for us so far. but we're 60
Ing to turn her into good luck. Wen
use her. It's only fair: she used is.
"'use herr"
swell. she's going to him. isn't
she? What's TO prevent you and me
from Following herr She'll be a
dozen times easier 10 shadow than
that bush-slinker. Wen use her as
our bait. She's pretty bait. When
she goes to join him. Wen 90 along:
and when she gets there. Wen be
MLWkE8W EUI4 y 2 - =
80
"A FTER a day and night Of hard
"A travelling. LeNolr stood In IA.
rakhan's cabin once again. dis Il
your he said. and with no other 81.
PLANTATION he handed over Sonya's
letter.
Miner" Karakhan echoed. STRUCK
all In a heap. "It's Tor me. you say7
His face turned ashy. .Who knows
I'm hereg Who In hell pumped that
out OF yong-
LeNoir trembled. Read heem. he
urged. ayoa understand. den
His eyes went 70 the table behind
Karakhan where lay his chiefs
heavy automatic. He backed np .
step. and his fingers closed over an
iron.tippea ski star leaning against
a. ~ - a - ESsfl =