The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-06-12

a box or candles In the drawer or the
buffet. This box originally held
dozen. which are now only short
stumps. more evidence of prior
meetings in this house. The four
candles you put in the holders. Mrs.
Whitmore, are lying there in the
buffet. untouched"
Mrs. Whitmore shook her head.
This Is all news to me"
Another thing-last night the
electric current was switched of at
the fuse-box. Is that the way you
left It each night?"
why. no. The only times we cut
or the current was when repairs
were being made to the wiring or
the fixtures. The lights were all
right when left yesterday"
Harper paused again and there
was more curiosity than luminosity
now in their locked chances. Tell
me-" he began anew. did Mr.. Du-
fresno ever come up here in the
evening? Any time since he took
up his quarters at the Austerlitz?
mo, he did not"
'.Did Mrs. Dufresne ever come up
here at night-alone?"
The housekeeper's eyes took on a
yenomous glitter. Il see what you're
driving at" she snapped, "and you
ouQEt to be ashamed to ask the
question.
The detective smiled exasperat.
ingiy in the face Of her fury. Aren't
you little quick on the trigger. Mrs.
Whitmore? haven't made any &C.
cusations. merely asked II Mrs.
Dufresne had ever come up here at
night?v
Mrs. Whitmore sprang up. She
did not. See If you can twist that
around. The idea! II that's what's
Duzzing in your head you'd better
open the windows and let some
clean air I'M"
THE incensed woman stalked to.
l ward the door. leaving behind her
Sergeant OF Detectives who
seemed no whit abashed nor EN-.
barrassed by her vehemence. In.
deed, his face. assumed the pleased
expression OF y man who has sud
denly collared an elusive idea.
Her angry suggestion about open
ing window. by some hidden proc.
ess Of mind. had linked itself with a
piece OF twine tucked away in his
pocket. In fash he grasped the
significance of that clue and the
force OF this intuition carried certi
tude with 1t.
Mrs. WhitmoFe. throwing open
the door for her wrathful exit. hit
the Ianky Lafferty. who had that
instant put his hand on the knob to
enter the room.
Lafferty hunched his shoulders
and raised his armsin front OF his
face IN mock defense. what did
you do TO the old crown" he inquired.
|.EIer feathers are all rufied and.
unless my ears deceive me. she was
cussing as she Left"
Harper had unrolled his piece OF
twines and was lingering ii thought
fully.
Charming woman. Mrs. Whit.
more. Re exclaimed. "She thought
she was giving me piece OF her
mind. but she just told me where
that missing gun was hidden"
That's as clear as mud. Where
do you think the gun Is hidden?"
Come on" Harper invited. Il
can show you quicker than can
explain II. know I'm right-it
must be there. ought to have fig-
ured II out even without finding the
string"
They made their way to the top
liooF. without meeting any one en-
route. and mounted the cramped
and sharply-turning shaft Of steps
| that led to the square. glass-enr
closed eupola or tower that crowned
the house.
The detective raised one OF the
windows. after . stubborn resist.
anee. and slipped out over the ell.
ILallefty followed. "What nowT'
he Queried. turning up his coat col
lar.
Harper stood looking arodnd.
From this elevation the surround
| Ing world appeared Ike = soft white
wilderness. stretched away to In.
Unity.
hut the detective had only q mo-
ment.s thought for this. Ills feet
LEFT clear tracks In the pristine
Wilderness a. be went carefully to-
ward the edge Of the roof.
watch out you don't start slip
ping down that slope" Laaerty
warned. "or you'll end up with Q
broken neck
They walked gingeFiy along the
danger line. careful TO avoid any
sudden slip. Harper with bis ere
cast on the short. steep slope to
his left. Suddeuls he stepped ahead
and pointed down to dark blotch
IN the saowladen spout that edged
the roof.
There Il u. There's the gnn!"
fcopsrteAs. 1854. " Weller c. Brownl