The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-06-08

LOAs 4uS PAoSA0 UA1sAASASa 0OWS'SAs
was lost and bewildered at the turn
affairs had taken.
Young Donaghy. spick and span
in his tailored uniform, stood at one
OF the windows, apart from the 9th
ers. Busy with his thoughts. he
looked out steadily and unseefngiy.
as If absorbed by mental puzzle.
Richard Croydon, pensive and sub.
dued. idly ran his sensitive fingers
up and down the keyboard of the pi.
ano. turned sideways across q cor
ner of the room He fingered melan.
choly little snatches Of melody. soft
", dreamily, his thoughts busy else
where. The first muted chords had
drawn glances OF wonder and dis
approval at the intruding OF the
sound of music at such time. By.
the side of the piano, seated In an.
easy chai.. was Aline Croydon.
smoking a cigarette and frowning
at the swinging toe of herislipper.
THE minutes dragged by inter
l minably to make quarter.hour.
the quarter became a half. the hah
heightened to full hour. and the
relentless cycle started on its sec
ond lap.
Conversation succumbed to the
strain aud became forced and desui
tory as impatience gnawed at every
one. Even Dufresne's indignation
was reduced to intermittent flashes.
One hour and half Harper and
his men expended on the search and
when he returned to the drawing
room no one could tell from his exJ
preston wether or not they had
been successful. But one glance at
Mrs. whitmore's disdainful air OF
triumph told them that the much
sought weapon had not yielded the
secret of its hiding-plaee.
Harper's bitter disappointment
was betrayed only by his grim tone
as he stood before Pierre Dufresne.
II have not found the gun but am
still convinced that it is concealed
here in the house. Since no one has
left. it can hardly be otherwise"
Dufresne made a gesture OF dis
missal to the servants, who prompt
ly fled out, that they might talk
over this astounding affair more un,
reservedly in their own quarters.
Aline Croydon and her husband let
quietly, tactfully leaving the field.
clear for the discussion that must,
follow.
81 hope You did not overlook
Mrs. Dufresne's room, Harper?"
Dufresne asked insolently.
"No, indeed, looked there very
thoroughly" the detective an.
swered.
"And what absurdity do you pur.
pose next? Please don't worry about
any Inconvenience to my family or
myself. 4 am merely the owner Of
this property" Dufresne was being
puTpOSeiy INSULTING.
II have given orders that no one
is to leave this house without being
searched. We do not intend to have
this revolver carried away. Later
we may search for 1t again, but for
the present shall work along other
lines that may bring the same re-
suit
Going out to study the snow
again. suppose? Or possibly to
look for more places where finger.
prints should be. but are not Bah.
you have no case. Harper, and you
know It."
Dufresne's tones were obviously
intended to be batting. and this
thought acted as q counter-irritant
to the detectives natural chagrin.
do you think so7" was his cool re-
ply. We've just about finished with
our study Of the material facts. Now
we take up the characters and per-
sonalities involved. I'll endeavor 20
follow the good advice yon gave me
at our first meetingS Mr.. Dufresne.
and take nothing for granted"
Eyes flashing. lips curling angrily,
Pierre Dnfresne turned his back on
the detective and walked out OF the
room. Captain Macklin took uD his
hat and overcoat. "Stay on the fob,
Harper, but you'd better work fast.
Dufresne Is . bad man to Cross and
he carries plenty OF weight IN Ger.
tain quarters. Hell have your scalp
II he can"
"I'll risk that, Captain. I think
he's so damned sure that can't
make case out OF Il that hen let
me carry on. Just TO show me up
After Captain Macklin had gone,
Harper called to Lafferty. and they
proceeded to search the room IN
which the Dufresne household had
waited. Lalferty asked. do you
think any Of that crowd would have
nerve enough to keep that gun hid
den on themseives3 Perhaps Ne
should have made . personal
search
Harper shook his head. The gun
would be too bulky and the risk
foolish. No. the thing was hidden.
and hidden wen. Wen have TO keep
thinking about IT.
fcopvrtchs. 1854. - Waiter @. Rrotenl