The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-05-25

as II Uonagny's real voice mad been
saying. Il know this man. That
knowledge is dangerous to one of
you. WIN It be made worth while for
! me to forget?"
And more than one pair Of ears
was aware OF the importance of both
messages!
The following day, Wednesday.
January 18th, dawned clear and cold.
The heavy fall OF snow had tapered
Oh about midnight and there had
been very little wind to disturb it
afterward.
Harper, arriving for duty at Du.
fresne'B house shortly after eight
O'clock, noted with satisfaction the
undisturbed condition OF the white
blanket surrounding the house.
caprice OF Nature had contrived this
smooth carpet 20 record portion OF
the previous nights fantastic story
and the detective proposed to make
good use OF II.
Harper found Mrs. Richard Croy.
den in the hall. deep In consultation
with the hlack-browed housekeeper.
Mrs. Martha Whitmore. Despite the
late hour at which she had retired.
Alins Croydon was serene and clear.
eyed. and without trace OF fatigue.
She wore q tailored morning dress
and it. sheer simplicity OF line en-.
HANGED her air OF youthful charm. :
Good morning. Mrs. Croydon"
Harper greeted her. and nodded
pleasantly 70 the housekeeper.
Mrs. Whitmors returned grudg
ing nod and retreated to her domain
IN the rear OF the house. Good morn
ing. Mr.. Harper" Aline responded.
With cordial SMILE. ''or should !
say Sergeant Harper?"
The detective smiled with her.
SHOT unless you prefer It. There Is
theory that the best way to address
Sergeant OF Police Is to call him
Captain. he hantered, meeting
her pleasant mood.
That's q clever idea. I shall call
you Mr.. Harper and reserve the
Captain. IN case ] should need II
later" she said. teasingly. You
know. have been quite surprised at
your assistants. had the idea that
detectives were heayy-set men with
clipped moustaches. that they al
ways chewed on unlighted cigars
and wore derby hats which they
never removed. except possibly to
sleep. Or DO detectives ever sieep?"
"Somtfmes FOR weeks at a stretch.
Harper assured her with mock so
lemnity. "but when Z big case comes
along we have to get our sleep when
and n. W. can find It.
croydon dropped her tone |
tVA Oflighi railiery .But am keep
Ing you from your work. fear the
others viii not be down for some
time yet. It was 30 late when we re
tired. Ny sister asked me to take
charge Of the household arrange
ments until she Is able to be around
again"
-She asked your" Harper caught
her up quickly. 'Dr. Ulrich told me
that Mira. Dutresne was not to talk
Tor several days"
AlIne nodded. .Of course, Mr.
Harper. I used .taIk' In a ngurative
sense. Ny sister has already ar
ranged system Of communication
Whenever she has q question or 9
message she writes Il down on pad
II works out quite easily"
by the way. how Il Mrs. Dufresne
this mornIngY
Poor girl. she's naturally great,
worried over the possibility OF o
scar. and then these tragic happen
ings are keeping her on edge"
Sergeant Harper and Mrs. Croy
den entered the breakfast. room. Al
though the victims mad long since
been removed. the room retained o
tragic and depressing aura that NOT
even the bright morning light could
dissipate.
There were those dark stains on
the rug, for instance. and the un
known dead nAn'a clothing piled on
. chair. complete from the shoes to
the beribhoned nose-glasses. Bat the
most Characteristic seal OF the DO
lice visitation were the numerous
patches q busting powders that had
been sprayed Eere and there in the
search for aingerprints.
you certainly leave nothing to
chance Mrs Croydon observed.
''This morning saw there was . 20
llceman guarding Mr.. Dufresne's
room. tsnt that Z rather unusual
procednre Mr. Harperf Surely, last
nights events put an end to the dan
gerY"
Tue detective shook his head
This Il 40 unusuai case. Mrs. Croy.
den. We do not actually know thar
the man found In this room Il the
man who threatened Mr.. Dufresne
ana ATTEMPTED to kin him."
But surely you have = theoryf l
thought the matter was quite clear
fcepyrtsAs. 1881. ~ walter O. BrowaJ
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