The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-16
Chapter 21
IN THE DARK

Hs'a Chapter Il
10y IN THE DARK
"a ND I suppose" Germaine re-
"A turned--and hesitated slightly,
"that nothing could persuade you
mot to go?"
NO." he answered quietly. "You
know why"
EYES," she said slowly. Il know
why. Well, then, go and get on some
dry clothes. Jacques will see the
boat has plenty of gas and have 1t
ready for you at the end of the
wharf In half an hour. Will that be
time enough?"
Like the waving of a magic
,vand!" Colin declared cheerily.
Thanks lott"
She was In shadow, her back to
the light that streamed out from the
hall. He could not see her face.
Good luck!" she said-and put
out her hand.
And then, before he could answer,
she had turned abruptly and was
gone.
He went down the veranda steps
iand made his way to the hotel at the
other end of the village. Here he
proceeded to change his clothes.
There was no sound from the next
room. II Larocque and Bolduc had
returned to the village. they had not
returned to the hotel-and probably
never would. He smiled dryly.
what q filthy mess he was In!
ooze, mud, slime-but 1t hadn't got
through into the pockets. Lazarre's
letter was untouched, and the re-
-lvolVer, together with the extra sup
lply Of cartridges. was quite dry.
He stripped. rubbed down. got in.
TO clean clothes, tucked the letter,
revolver and cartridges into his
pockets, added an adequate supply
1of cigarettes and matches--there
would be a lonely few hours Of 1t
there and back-and looked at his
watch. Ten minutes of ten. He was
surprlsed to find that 1t was no later.
Wen. so much the better. All the
longer start on Dollaire!
He glanced around the room.
Those clothesi But no one would
come into the room tonight. And
even IL the clothes were seen. what
Ithsn2 The only suspicion that might
arise was that their unspeakable
condition was due to an over-free
Indulgence on their owners part In
whisky blanc. A tribute and
lcompliment to the national drink Of
French Canada! He laughed. blew
tout the lamp and left the hotel.
Within his allotted ten minutes
lhe reached the wharf. It was de-
serted. empty save for q figure that
emerged suddenly out Of the dark.
mess as It clambered up over the
edge OF stringpiece.
els that you. m'sieu?' jacques
asked In French.
yes" he answered. everything
all ready. Jacquesl"
"But yes, m'sieu. The boat Is
here. There is plenty OF gas. And
an the locker at the stern m'sieu
win find some hot coffee and sand.
witches"
TNsTINCTIvELY Colin turned his
y head shoreward along the wharf
In the direction OF the village and
che twinkling window lights. Ger.
mainel" he said softly under his
breath: and then aloud: "That Is
most kind OF mademoiselle. Will
Hou tell her that THAT am very
grateful 10 her. And now my thanks
10 you and I'll be OIL"
Colin lowered himself over the
Stringpiece and dropped into the
Boat below.
"All right. Jacques" he called
back. ~cast ont"
"All clear" Jacques answered.
Rood luck. m'sieui"
The launch shot out from the
wharf. and Colin. settling himself
for his solitary run-about two
hours, he figured II. Judging from
khs time Il had taken Germaine and
himself to get as TAR as the point
gestsrday-headed for the light.
house on the extremity OF the cape.
And presently he rounded the
cape. his eyes straining Their out TO
esaward. II was pitch black. He
WAS showing no lights h'mself--and
d was rather obvious that Dollsire
would not be showing any either!
Hs could see nothiug-no shadowy
outline OF q schooner out there. But
DollRirs would not be of the cape
for another two hours. Bolduc had
aaid at half-past eight That meant
half-past ten. II was only ten now.