The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-04-15
Chapter Il
THE APPARITIoM

TIE AFrFHtIfQH
,"CH!" said Sue Tally. Don't an.
- tagonize Them" Voices and the
commotion covered her whisper.
They are inclined TO look favor.
ably upon you because you told OF
the clock sword. although one Of
them thinks it may have been q
very clever ruse on your part to
induce that very effect. But they
are still doubtful. You must be care.
full. know France better than you"
.. torn from my bed and
dragged along icy corridors. want
an explanation OF this remarkable
conduct. Madame, what does this
meant"
The bundle of shawls was Mrs.
Byng, and the cabbage proved to be
a large lace cap. pulled over her
hair. which had grown curiousiy
knobby. and down to her thich
black eyebrows. Her nose looked
more than ordinarily bellicose, her
voice dominated and drowned ali
other speech. and she was clearly
in a frame of mind that brooked no
liberties.
The dark little maid half stran.
gled on a sob. Father hobart was a
tall, noncommittal black clothespin
with flaming red beard. and hrs.
Byng shouted: I'm my night
clothes. Torn from my bed in my
night clothes. What are these men
doing herel"
Wondered fieetingly whether
she made it a habit to sleep in five
or six brown woolen shawls and
thought It possible. and Madame
Lovschienl said sharply:
1T Is the police. madame.
The young officer who spoke Eng
Iish was at her side, taking her BY
the arm. He turned her around fac.
ing the corridor. Inexplicably she
had failed to see the huddIe that
still lay there perhaps her be.
capped escort had shielded Il from
her eyes. Now. however, the light
fell strongly upon It.
Well, II was bad enough. l felt q
little sick when looked at 1t my.
self. and wondered why they didn't
remove It. But It had a startling Ell.
feet upon Mrs. Byng,
Suddenly she gave q choking
shrek. turned. two long white fan.
mel arms shot out from the shawla
and clasped the commissaife tight.
ly around the neck. and she col.
lapBed on his reluctant chest.
rather liked It. I had an iliiotic
desire 70 look at him sternly and
say: "Hal There will be inquiry.
Investigations"
~You'd better get her to lie
down." said Sue.
"Not on my bedi" I interiected,
and Sue walked over to the shawls.
Somehow they got Mrs. Byng into
the corridor with Marcel and the
young officer assisting her progress,
and Madame Lovschiem and sue
bringing up the rear. and the little
maid running for hot water. and
Mrs. Byng herself emitting faint
shrieks.
THE commissaire touched bis
> forehead with his handkerchief
looked decidedly less pompous. and
70 me. at least. Mrs. Byng Justified
her existence. for he seemed In Z
sudden mood 10 cut the present in
qniry short.
He asked the priest . number 81
short questions. to which Father
hobart replied imperturbably and
with apparent satisfaction TO every
one. and a small man In civilian
clothes "a doctor EVIDENTLY ap
peared from somewhere and made
q brief examination Of the body. Il
was then removed. and before
could quite credit my good lueh
they were al leaving.
No. not quite all. for as I turned
into my room with q sigh Marcel
who had appeared from somewhere
while the others were leaving. rose
from poking the IRE.
II win go now he said. 81
there anything Monsieur wishesYs
'sSo. Marcel Only sleep and The
rest OF the night In peace. But wait
who took the dagger from the
dead manSs chest and put II an
there on the clock againG-
His shining black eyes were {
bright impenetrabie shield TO the
knowledge knew he must have.
II do not know. monsieur" he
said IN bis politest manner.