The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-11-06
Chapter 90
RUIH'S WARNING


WHEN the Inspector had gone.
Mahony left his lodgings and
went round to Lee-Ramsden's house.
lie was shown into the drawing
room where Ruth and Lee-Ramsden
were seated.
HALO" said Lee-RamsdFn cheer
fully. You're looking rather pleased
with yourself this morning. What's
leen happenine?"
AS a matter of fact. I'm feeling
rather pleased" answered Mahony.
''I'vc just nad a visit from Miss
Little. She doesn't suspect me OF
numbering her uncle any more"
That's good" said Lee-Ramsden.
81 don't wonder tina, you're pleased"
But Ruth frowned. and looked at
Mahony in a puzzled manner.
she doesn't suspect you any
longer. Are you sure? What makes
y. think tLat?' she asked.
''She said So" replied Mahony.
''She told me she was all wrought
up and Merry yesterday and hardly
knew what she was saying"
"She told you that she didn't sus-
pect you any more?" asked Ruth In.
credUlOusly.
she told me so herself" answered
:isfony impatiently. And she in
vited me to dine with her this eve
ming. That doesn't look as II she
still suspected me. does it?"
81 don't know" said Ruth slowly.
There was something very wrong
here. she felt Was Elsa setting a
trap for him."
Don't ,Uu go to dinner with her. /"
she said impulsiveIy I'm sure she
still suspects you She's got some
reason for inviting you to dinner"
MahOny felt very awkward; he
thought Ruth was icing silly. He did
ut quite know how to tell her po-
l:teIy that be mad 40 intention of
refusing Elsa's invitation.
Ruth saw what was passing in his
mind. She realized that nothing
would induce him to refuse Elsa's
invitation.
IAN right; do what you like. I'm
going for a walk. she said in a
somewhat muffied voice and turned
hastily and left the 'oorl. slamming
thu door after her.
MahonV looked astOnished. Old
I1ee-Ramsden made a slight gesture
as if 10 Indicate that Itere was moth.
ing 10 be ls:onished al cut.
Women my dear Mahony. are
queer creatures: they have these
moods. you know. he remarked
ai-ily. What else has been hap
pening to you during the last twelve
hours?"
Quite lot" answered Mahony.
and he began TO tell -Ramsden
about his adventures in Limehouse.
Ruth diI not go for walk. She
went into the hall. put on a raincoat
anu hat. opened the front door. and
then changed her mind. She wanted
TO be alone. to think. She closed the
front door again. went up to her
guardian study. and sat down in a
large armchair.
CHE felt very miserable and help
less. and as she sat huddled n
re big armchair. the tears ran
slowly down her cheeks What could
she do: how coUld she save Mahony ?
After time she heard the from:
door open. and her guardians voice
in the hall below bidding &ah6ny
goodbye. The front door closed: she
heard her guardians footsteps
ascending the stairs to the study. He
opened the door and entered.
Ruth shrank back in the big chaif
aud remained quite still. She hoped
llee-Ramsden would LOT see her; she
did not want him to know that she
had been crying.
He crossed the room. hummins a
little tune. went TO his desk. raised
the telephone receiver. and gave a
number. In a second Or two she
heard him speaking.
rs that you. Lawson? I've Just
been having a talk with our young
friend Mahony. can tel you what
has happened to yoLt missing man,
Lake: he's imprisoned at number
seven. Royal Road. Pennyfields. Ma.
hony has engaged the services of
some of your own toughs led by a
man named Bassett. am they're af.
ter your blood. He gets into touch
with Bassett by ringing limehouse
o-three-two-five. which is a pawn
shop next door to Bassett's house.
where Lake is imprisoned. Does
this interest you at all?"
Ruth could just catch Lawson's