The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-11-27
Chapter AZ
STRANGE MEETING

EVERYTHING was quite quiet ex.
II cept for an occasional puff OF
wind rafting tho windows and an
occasional board creaking. Elsa
shivered slightly. The creepy atmos'
phere of that house affected her
nerves: she had an uneasy fore
boding that something dreadful was
going to happen.
Seconds passed; they seemed to
drag like hours. She wished the
nights work was over and every
thing settled satisfactorily.
Very family from the distance
she heard a church clock strike
eleven. the hour of the appoint
ment. But Mahony's note had said
he might be late; she would proba-
bly, have to wait some time yet. She
wished he would hurry up and come:
she dreaded the interview with him.
and wanted to get 1t over.
A slight sound somewhere out.
side the house caught her atten.
tion-the sound of footsteps. She
caught her breath sharply in
mingled fear and anticipation. Ma
hony at last. With nerves strained
and tense she waited for him to
enter the room.
Light footballs mounted the front
door-steps and crossed the hall.
Elsa stood rooted. waiting: surely
those footsteps we're not Mahony's.
The door of-the room opened aHd
Ruth Fraser entered.
For a long second the two girls
stood looking at one ahot1eE ben
Ruth spoke.
where's Terence?" she asked.
"I. / don't know" said Elsa.
"He's not here yet"
Faced by Ruth's accusing glance
she felt oddly guilty. Certainly the
plan she had formed was intended
to help Mahony. but would Ruth
see that? She felt that she must
testify her own action. make Ruth
see that she was acting for the best.
what do you want to see Ter
ence for?" asked Ruth as this an.
other trap you've set for him?"
NO." answered Elsa. "At least
:. not exactly a trap. =. want
to help him. to get him out of the
country"
Ruth frowned slightly.
How do you mean-not exactly
a. trap?" she demanded. is 1t
trap. or isn't it? Are you betraying
Terence again."
That stung Elsa slightly.
I'm not betraying him." she
answered holly. 81 want to help
him. even IL have to do II against
his will. Call it a trap n you like.
but this is what I'm doing"
ETIlTH that she blurted out the
Nv whole plan which Lawson and
she had conceived. Ruth listened:
her face grew paler. but she made
no comment until Elsa had finished.
Then she spoke. and her voice was
curiously fat and colorless.
Sal believe you meant WE'LL" she
said. But you've betrayed Terence
to his enemies. Lawson doesn't
want to help you to send Terence
abroad. He wants to kin Terence.
as he killed your uncle"
SHer voice broke suddenly.
"Oh. Elsa. why couldn't you have
left us alone" she burst out. I'VE
were quite happy without anybody's
help. And now
There was sheer tragedy In her
tone: her face was deathly and her
dark eyes were stricken. Elsa
stepped forward quickly and took
her hand.
s"Ruth-don't speak like that. II
isn't true" she cried. MIR. Lawson
didn't kill my uncle: can't think
where you got hold of such an idea.
He wants to A6lp Terence; he. do8
really. Believe me. Ruth. every
thing is going to come out all right:
promise you 1t is"
Every affecting, said, "a voice
from the doorway. But. unfortu-
nately. not quite accurate"
The two girls turned. Lawson was
standing in the doorway OF the
room. He was smiling. and at the
sight Of his smile a sudden dread.
fal doubt invaded Elsa's heart.
"This is indeed a pleasure" he
went on suavely. I'D no idea that
I was to meet Miss Fraser this
evening. ! believe you were talk.
ing about me a moment ago. Miss
Fraser"
Ruth faced him defantly.
81 was telling Elsa that It was
you who killed her uncle" sne said
bluntly. And it was you"
"Oh yes. killed him all right"
admitted Lawson lightly. "Unluck.
lily. owing to our young friend Ma.
hony's interference. my plans for
kidnapping Miss Little went some
what astray. and my plans for hold
ing you. Miss Fraser. were also