The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-01-18
Chapter 80
MARK AT f4is WORST

DooLE beamed at Mark.
Won't you come to the fret"
Mark took no notice Of him but
waited until Armitage repeated the
invitation; then he came forward
and leaned against a chair back.
Poole did not trouble to suppress a
chuckie. Showing the hired man
his place in front OF his employer,
eh7 Neat stunt, that. Armitage,
obliyious Of the by.play, was hand
ling a couple Of letters.
~If You have q few minutes to
spare, Lodely-
MY dear Armitage, we're agreed,
surely, that my time Is yours?"
81 wrote 70 Miss Qnentin. as you
suggested, about the studio. hut
she is unable to come. wrote
again, day or two ago, but she is
stfil unwilling to undertake the
commission"
Poole stared at the fire. Arm
itage's voice had given him away.
It was q woman. -
Lodely was murmarIng, through
his smile
1T really doesn't matter. rye
looked at Malavie,s handiwork and
Il win do beautifully for everything
except work. And. for work, /
can carry onswhereI am"
~In Armitage's room7" enqufred
Poole, still beaming.
I'm Armitage's ROOM" assented
Lodely. still showing, ever SO
slightly, his teeth.
"Then, I've also been in com.
munication with Sir Robert Phil.
hay" went on Armitage. ''Ie was
a friend of my fathers"
yes? Another millionaire, /
presume?"
mo. Sir Robert isn't million
aire and I don't expect he ever
win be; his interests don't lie In
money-making. He is, or was, q
very famous bone-setter."
"oh, a quack!" said Mark IN.
differently.
"Sir Robert Philhay Is recog-
mixed by the medical profession"
Armitage said patiently. 81 don't
think he's called q Quack nova.
days. At any rate, he has brought
on some marvellous cures. wanted
him to come ana see you"
A fash passed over Marks face.
u was gone in an instant, but 1t
softened Poole into sympathy
again. Poor devil. he had known
hope and longing, under that bit.
ternessl
''He is rather eccentric. He"
Armitage hesitated. HE says he
hasn't come up to Town for many
years and he'd rather we went to
see him. He mentions next Tues.
day. He offers to put US mp"
Poole made a quick. involuntary
movement He knew exactly what
was going to happen.
"As II happens, next Tuesday is
impossible. That's the night Of my
party" smiled Mark.
But good Godi--your party?
You can have q party any night!"
Il don't think 50. I'm booked for
every other evening and I've made
a good deal Of splash about my
Tuesday night studio parties. This,
as the first OF them. is the most
important"
More important than the chance
OF being made . sound man In.
stead Of"
Armitage caught back the word.
Poole, his eyes on his shoes, tried
TO focus Armitage's mind with his
own. Dammit al. telepathy was
possible, why shouldn't It work be.
tween them now? Armitage---
Armitage-stick to your wheel
don't let the little whelp spoil your
nerve.
Wen leave It for the time be
Ing. Lodely. shall we7"
Much better. Poole nodded
solemnly at his shoes. That was
much more the way to handle him.
Sound idea. telepathyl
MY dear Armitage. don't put
yourself to such trouble In the mat.
ter. Poor though am. hare
been examined by several men Of
genuine repute: and they are
agreed that my case Is beyond
them"
Wonderful how sweet.tempered
you always kept" put in Poole.
Example TO the rest Of as. abso-
lutely!"
Besides must ask myself. Arm.
itage. whether can conscientious.
~ accept this further charity a.
your hands. You are interested IN
my welfare solely because OF any
talent I may posseSs. Aren't youf"