The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-07-06
Chapter 80
DESPERATE WOMAN

IIARPEk was asking himself how
It was possible that this modishI
beauty could be thrice murderess
--Aline Croydon was asking herself
how much OF her story this Ser.
geant Of Detectives had guessed.
Il have been eavesdropping. Mr..
Harper" she announced simply. as
one who puts @. +. D. at the end of a
demonstration in geometry.
Harper relaxed, the tenseness cas-.
ing from muscles instinetiveiy
brsced against the possible impact
OF flying steel. The woman was
sane and collected. at all events.
But her right hand was still inVisi.
bic. and there was no sign OF waver-
ing In the set lines of her mouth OF
the look In her eyes.
AlIne Croydon noticed this fugi-
tive lapse of attention. please
don't try anything heroic" she
spoke through tight lips. "Sit down
lover there"
Harper. with an air of casualness,
took the cha'r she indicated, This
Is very dramatic, but quite useless,
you know" he objected.
Her eyes burned at him. suddenly
alive. Il had to be sure" She shiv-
cred little. "As soon as | saw your
face"
The detective leaned forward.
Mrs. Croydon, let us talk this sftua.
ton over quietly between ourselves.
Ciun-waving is out OF place at this
stage. There must have been some
terrible driving power that forced
yon 10 such lengths. Only yon can
state what that was Joseph Dona-
ghy's part In II can guess. but the
other-?"
II did not come here to talk.
felt you getting closer and closer to
the solution, and had to see il you
really knew. You forced my hand
BY going FIter my sister and ierre.
They have nothing to do with this
matter. and at least | can have the
anal decency to shoulder my own
burdens. And for your own safety
let me- repeat your warning to Jo
seph Donaghy can hang a per
son only once. Remember that and
act accordingly. Have you gun
in your pocket?"
Harper shook his head. Il carry
one only ON special occasions You
may search me IL you like" he add.
ed. half rising from the chair.
"Slt stilll Lyon move or make a
noise ri shoot" There was no
installing the steely ring Of that
voice.
Come. now" Harper protested.
~Eyen II had gun in my pocket
wouldn't try to beat Won to the draw
That ism. necessary. You can
blur me. hrs. Croydon. You're the
one In the dangerous spot. and you
can't shocS your way ont of it this
time. My advice is to give in grace
tally"
Il shall escape" she replied conf
IDENTITY DO you suppose | would
plan everything else and not arrange
for that? Everything is ready"
Harper shook his head again.
You can't get ANY,. If you shoot
a me yonll not get out of this
house. perhaps not out of this room.
And suppose you did escape tempo
fafiiy? Where could yon go? To
whom could you turn?
THE fuli machinery of the law
would be turned TO tracking you
down. Yon would be a marked wo
man wherever you went. Yop
e0uldn't even find a refuge in the
lowest slums or the underworld.
They'd give you up in minute. At
most. a few days of terror and flight,
and you'd be run down like a rabbit
hunted by dogs"
NNELL not argue that point"
~ The mask-Iike face turned to
him. with its set lines, the shadows
under sleepless eyes. Tell ne, how
AIN Ash,,t lrooyV4s
The detective silently pointed to
the lens on the table.
Mrs. Croydon gave it a swift
glance. Il don't understand. What
we're You looking att"
That's a professional secret, Mrs.
Croydon. Suppose you use the lens
for yourself?"
II would like to. but | can't trust
you. Tell me. please" Her voice
snddealy broke in quick pleading.
Nothing can matter noW!"
The detective thought. II / can
keep on talking long enough some
one will try that door. When that
happens IN close in and take my
chances with her gun.
He said aloud. when you came In
I had 'ust made an important dis
cOyery. We had failed before to ind
any fingerprints on that table. but
Just noticed a number OF tiny marks
on the top, and they furnish clue