The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-11-20
By HUGH CLEVELY

innocent. and it will make you IN
happy if he's hanged, I'm willing to
do my best to help him." he con.
tinued. Lets consider how you can
set about it."
ITO begin with. we've got to get
into touch with him. That man Bas-
sett will most likely know where he
is. The best thing you can do is to
see Bassett and try to arrange a
meeting with Mahony." 80 -
"And what shall say to Bassett 2"
asked Elsa. Shall I just tell him /.
want to help Mr.. Mahony to get
abroad?" ID z....t-
81 don't think I should do that"
answered Lawson.
He paused again. This business
needed thinking out very carefnily
"As l say. don't like Mas0ny,
but from what I've seen of the fel.
low. don't think he'd consent to go
abroad" he went on slowly. Hes a
fighter, and. whatever the conse-
quences, he's the sort of man to
stay here and fight things out to the
| end"
Then what am l to do?" asked
Elsa hopelessly.
"The only way will be to take
things into your own hands and send
him whether he wants to go or not"
answered Lawson. "In other words,
Shanghai him. Stick him on board
ship with instructions to the cap.
tain not to let him go till he's well
out Of harms way. think can help
you in that"
YOU mean kidnap him and put
! him on boardsa ship?" asked
Elsa in Mortified tone.
Exactly" said Lawson.
"But that would be rather
treacherous." objected Elsa in a pro-
testing tone. 81 don't think | should
care to do that I've led him into a
trap once; hate the idea of doing it
again"
81 know exactly how you feel about
it" said Lawson sympatheticaIly. at
may not seem very nice to trick him
into meeting you again and then
have him kidnapped and hidden out
Of the way. but. for his own sake,
it's the greatest service you could
possibly render him."
His voice was very persuasive. and
there seemed to be good sense in his
arguments.
81 suppose you're right" admitted
Elsa hesitatingly.
"0f course I'm right" replied
Lawson. you get in touch with
Bassett and let me know what hap
pens. and I'll make all the other
arrangements"
Every WELL" agreed Elsa. "I'll do
that"
Elsa's interview with Bassett was
arranged with an ease that surprised
her. The interview took place in
the small front sitting-room of a
4 AOAoG III III AAlOns S1Gl1lS nCI
structions from Lawson. Elsa would
tell Bassett nothing except that she
had communication of the greatest
importance to make to Mahony.
whats it about?" asked Bassett.
81 can't tell anybody except him."
answered Elsa. 81 must see him my
self. If / can't see him l shan't tell
anyone what / have to say"
She looked at Bassett defantly.
She hated the thought that Ma
hony was banding himself with
people like the man in front of her.
"All I'm asking you is to give my
message to him-tell him that want
to see him." she went on urgently.
''Tll pay you for doing it il you like.
How much do you want?"
Fatty Bassett did not answer for
moment He merely looked at her.
Then he spoke.
"I'm a crook" he said. 81 make
my livin' dishonesty. 1 expect you
know that, don't yer?"
Elsa hesitated for a moment. She
was not sure how to answer. And
Bassett's cold. unwinking glance,
fixed on her face. made her feel
trifle uncomfortable.
well .. suspected you were,"
she answered rather weakly.
"An' now I'm tellin' you I am"
went on Bassett. "An' now you know
you've come to the right person,
don't you? Because when one Of you
Society people wants something
dirty done, they always pay a crook
to do it for them"
Elsa flushed Indignantly.
"But l don't want anything dirty
DONE" she burst out. How dare you
suggest such a thing. My only rea-
son for wanting to get into touch
with Mr.. Mahony is to help him."
Bassett went on staring at her
with shrewd. hard eyes. He did not
want the same thing to happen as
when Mahony had last met her.
"Of course, money is money" he
went on in business-like tone.
Copyright. 1885. Hugh cIereIyy