The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-07-09
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MOCklNC HOUSE
~ WAlIRn G. nanMM
~ WAG1en 6. DROM

her place, he explained grimly.
How I ever got downtown ana
through tina concert, don't know. r
kept looking at my hands all the
time to see If there was blood on
them"
Croydon drew long breath. "Aa
for Donaghy. he. was, another snake.
There was no way Of dealing with
him except the way did. He had the
nerve to repeat his terms to my face.
He thought didn't have the conr.
age to shut him up. / was fool,
though. to try pitting my amateur
skill against. you professionals. /
may as we'll have faced it from the
beginning"
ut was those very touches you
call amateur that were the hard
est to solve," Harper replied. II
have never tackled more compli-
Gated case"
Croydon looked of into the dis
lance again. This is a very tame
finish, Harper. but the worst is over
for me. Somehow it never seemed
real. It was like something in a
nightmare or like rolling down q
steep hill. You start easily. then
you lind you can't stop. but keep go
ing faster and faster until you crash
at the bottom. Then you wake up"
lie passed his hand YEARLY over
his forehead. Il don't care what hap
pens. shall admit my guilt and take
what comes. MY wife and l under
stand each other better now.gbut
I'm afraid it's come too late TO do
either Of US apy good" ll9a
WITH deliberate fingers he low
~ cred the lid of the piano and
closed the cover over the keyboard.
He turned the lock and dropped the
tiny key into the detectives palm.
This will be long farewell. /
think" He looked at those strong
fingers of his. Il am ready" he
stated. simply.
The maid brought Richard Croy.
den's hat and coat, while Harper
stood silently waiting. Together
they left the house and took their
way by the right-angled course that
led them to the entrance of the Du-
fresno mansion. The police limou.
sine in which the Headquarters
men had arrived still waited at the
curb.
Once inside, Harper drew Croy-
den into the drawing-room Before
We go in there, let me give you a
word of advice. Ny part in this case
practically ends at this point. " en-
you get into Court tell your whole
story. freely and frankly. Don't let
any quixotic idea lead you into half
truths and evasions.
And don't let any smart lawyer
talk you into taking refuge in tech
nicalities of the law. If I know any
thing about juries you'll not regret
it. My personal sympathy goes with
you. understand the forces that
drove you on and by the real prin-
ciples of justice you ought not to
stand alone in the dock. Now. Is
there any one you want to speak to
before we Ieave?"
Croydon shook his head. mo.
shank yon. Let US get out quietly.
The others will learn of it soon
enough. and | hate scenes"
Aline Croydon started up when
they entered the breakfast-room.
and the misunderstanding Lafferty
seemed relieved. She needed but one
glance to see what had TRANSFERRED
in the meeting between the detective
and her husband. Richard! Rich
ardi" she sobbel. .you should not
have said anything. 1t was all my
fault"
Richard crossed to her instantly
and put his arm gently around her.
His eyes we're alight with that love
that would not perish. NO matter
how tried with Eartyrdom Keep
up your courage. Aline," he said. and
STOPPING over. murmured a private
message Of hope into her ear.
Still with his arm about her Shout
ders, Croydon cast a quick look OF
appeal to Harper over the bended
head. The detective drew Lafferty
aside and quietly gave him instruc-
tions about their removal and the
charges to be lodged against them.
Lafferty listened with matter-of-
fact air that did not quite conceal
his lively curiosity. but this was
neither the time Lor the place for
questions and explanations.
Harper watched their departure
from the doorway Of the breakfast
room. Richard Croydon and his wife
walked side by side, the watchful
Lafferty stalking at their heels. He
heard the front door close. then the
door of the waiting auto slammed
and the motor stirred into action.
After that there was silence. The
curtain had been rung down on the
drama.
fCopwight. 1884,. by Walter G. BroUml
Pierre Dufresne gets some advice
l Monday.