The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-06-05

lures, Captain. But what / wanted
Twas to ask some questions about
lOIicer Hamill. First, what was his
rating on craftsmanship"
''First class" Quigley answered
promptly. aHamill's had q sharp
shooters citation Tor years"
As Harper remained silent, the
Captain Of the Fourteenth went on,
"I see what's IN your mind, Harper.
but even rotten shot could pop his
man over at that distance"
There's much more to II than
that" the Sergeant answered. what
about Hamill personally? Was he
nervous. hasty. quick to use his
gum"
"No. no, nothing like that. Just
the opposite. Hamill was q quiet,
cool chap. very sure Of himself. His
theory was that guns should be used
only as a last resort"
TELL me this, Captain. Did Hamill
know Mr.. Dufresne BY sight? Did he
know that the Dufresne house was
Iuntenanted at this timer"
"Your first question ! can't answer
definitely, but | don't believe he did.
I've been attached to the Fourteenth
for eight years and never met him.
The answer to your second question
II Yes Last June 21st q notice was
died with US that the Dufresne fam
| lily was leaving for the summer. This
notice was given by a John Whit
more. Know him?"
Harper nodded. Hes one Of the
servants here"
slave you any record of an auto
mobile found abandoned In this dis
trict? Were any cars tagged last
night for Illegal or overnight park.
ing?"
Quigley looked surprised. mot
one. Harper. Nobody with any sense
would have left a car out in that
Storm"
well. appreciate your help,
Captain. I've got a much clearer pic
ture Of Hamill. at any rate.
THE commander Of the Fourteenth
l Precinct took his leave and Har-
per rose from the table. II guess it's
time We twisted the lions TALL" he
remarked "We'll get Mr.. Dufresne's
personal opinion on guns that disap-
pear into thin air."
The detective. however was
spared the trouble of sending for the
master of the house for at that
moment Pierre Cufresne himself
walked into the breakfast-room.
"0ood morning. Mr.. Dufresne."
Harper greeted him. "This Is my col.
league. Detective Lafferty. You prob
ably saw him around here last
night"
Eyes. and this morning. too--ex-
plorlng my wardrobe. How are
things going. Serseant?"
"0h. as we'll as can be expected"
Harper replied casually. There is so
much routine In a case like this. BY
the way. Mr.. Dufresne. | must list
the nrearms on the premisese Can
you give me 3 list?"
"Fifearms. Harper? Well. taking
myself nrst--I have q gun. OF course.
and i police permit to carry 1t. al.
though have never awaited myself
Of the privilege. Do You require de
tails. Harper?"
III you please"
This gun Is an automatic action,
caliber .SS. believe. though | am
not sure. II Is so long since ham
died Il. II has never been fired, I'm
glad to say" 4
And where Is It now?"
rAt the Austerlitz."
Harper was making notations OF
these replies. do you not keep q gun
here Ii this house?" He kept his
voice as casual a. possible.
-CsFtainly-the automatic. keep
4 wherever | am staying. but / do
not carry Il about with me"
MY chauffeur. Donaghy." he con.
tinusd. carries q gun whenever he
Il on duty
.Qnlte SO. Mr.. Dufresne. You did
not have your gun with you yester.
day afternoon when you were am
bushed?''
NO. A said, never carry Il. n
ID too awkward. too bulky. l would
feel ridiculous with one bulging ont
ny pocket
The detective grlnned. -Are there
any more guns IL the houses"
"Not Of my knowledge nor my con.
sent
"That sestles that. then" Harper
pronounced. treasurlng the inner
meaAlng Of his worda
Dufresne1s glance played over the
miscellaneous objects scattered
across the detectives workable.
eNow that the thing Is over. I don't
mind admitting that | was fright
ensd By those threats and after that
adventure yesterday afternoon I felt
pretty ahaky when do yun expect
e close up shop hereis
fcepsraeAs. 1854. ~ Iraitsr 9. BrornI
Temerrsw. pusresne AIss en- sAs