The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-08-03

him any more, he said he had done
his best and 1t was no good"
$50 1 suddenly thought I'd go up
to the Court myself. On Monday Mr..
Steeble always has women's serv.
ice at a quarter to eight. SO set of
as usual at half past seven. and OF
course John thought he knew where
I was going; but | never went near
st. Leonard's, | went straight up
to the Court. went up the back way
because that's the nearest for US"
"What time did you get there Mrs.
Fenton?"
at was eight o'clock. sir. as ]
rang the bell: heard st. Leonard's
strike. and l. thought what Mr..
Steeble would be thinking about me
not being there"
what happened when you rang
the bell?"
Nothing, SIR. rang and rang and
nobody came. Well, wasn't going
to be beaten. sir. and walked round
to the side of the house. There was
a light showing in window. Know.
ing what he was, thought the light
would never be burning unless he
was there, so | thought I'd tap the
pane and attract his attention that
way"
"And did you?"
mo sir. got right up to the win
dow just going to tap it. and there
was a bit of a crack between the
curtains and could see right into
the room"
"Well?" Hylton prompted gently.
WELL. sir. saw him dead. across
w the table and his head all
all like it was: only a foot or two
away it seemed"
"You never went into the house?"
THAT | didn't sir. was so upset
I dropped my bag outside the win
dow and had a business to get it
again. was particular careful when
| got back here to see If | had lost
anything. but never thought of that
appointment card"
why didn't you tell somebody
about it. Mrs. Fenton?"
well. sir. was very upset in the
first place about going to speak to
Mr.. Burdett without a word to Mr..
Fenton. and then what l saw there
put me out altogether. as think you
will understand. Next morning. OF
course. 1t was all over the village
and ! thought I'd do best by not say
ing anything"
Hylton nodded; he was genuinely
relieved to find that this old couple
were not criminally involved in the
affair.
He rose to go: he didn't think
there would be any more fish to
catch in this pool.
Now. Mrs. Fenton," he said kind
ly but quite firmly. you were very
foolish not to go straight away to
the Sergeant and tell him all you've
told me-"
"Im sure was. SIR" Mary sobbed.
"But better late than never. SO
don't worry any more"
"It's all right then. sir, is It?
shan't he taken up for being an ac-
cessory after the fact or whatever
they call it. shall II"
Good Lord no. The Laws there
to help lawabiding people like you.
you know. One thing l do want you
to help me in though"
whats that. sir? I'm sure I'll
do anything | can"
You're quite sure about the time
when you rang the bell at the
Court?"
"Oh. I'm sure of that sir. heard
st. Leonard's striking the hour as
plain as plain. and | thought ought
to be sitting in church listening to
Mr.. Steeble instead of being where
| was. Oh I'm sure of that"
Right. Now. not a word about
this to anybody else and"
Ping!
and there's someone in the
shop" Hylton concluded with a
kindly smile. $50 just let me out
the back way and don't worry"
The Inspector walked straight
from Fenton's Stores as fast as his
long legs would take him towards
Fielden Cottage. thinking furiously
all the time. He did not grudge the
time spent in listening to Mary Fem
tons somewhat verbose explana-
ton. for one vitality important fact
had been established by it. Arthur
Burdett was dead at eight o'clock.
Lumsdale could not have reached
the Court in time to do the murder.
Hylton looked forward eagerly to
his interview with Dale Shipley.
Nor could he resist a smile at his
own expense. Clue after clue melted
under his fingers-it was almost as
ii his duty suddenly had become to
absolve rather than to convict.
(ccsyvisAs. 1886. Lsrsres NJ. 1syasHJ