The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-08-11
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| Hes got a daughter, Frances.
dale kept his glance well away
from Nancy now and the Inspector
noticed that he didn't look at her
again for the rest of his story. The
other day Frances -uh-tried to-
blackmail me-"
SIS she married?"
mo"
"How old is she?"
Nineteen"
sum-"
"She was at me on Monday morn.
ing about It. so l said I'd meet her
that evening and talk It over. She
always goes into dorchester on
Monday afternoons. and | told her
II she caught the bus out in the
evening I'd meet her at the end of
the back drive at ten to seven. I
thought could have a quarter of an
hour with her and still be in time
at the Reeves. got there about FIVE
to seven and waited till twenty past.
she hadn't turned up by then Gas
matter Of fact she missed the bus
and had to wait for the next) and l
couldn't wait any longer so walked
down the side lane and onto the
main road again. That's ALL"
HYLTON smiled grimly. did you
i see anybody at all whilst you
were there?" he asked.
II ran into a tramp-sort of fellow
at the bottom Of the lane, he came
out Of one of the Enderton fields
actually"
sand what did you say to him?"
II only told him it would be a
damn sight healthier for him not to
start any poaching games. didn't
hear anything from the girl the next
day and then, on Wednesday, when
Lawson called to see me at my
house thought the fat was in the
fire all right; but as matter Of fact
he didn't know anything about it.
and had only come about horse
which didn't want"
"You didn't go to see the girl?"
"No fear. was hoping it had all
blown over; then, on Friday night,
| got a letter from her from Lon.
don. She had gone up by the after
noon train without saying word to
her people to see her married sister
in Battersea, or some such God-for-
saken spot; said she couldn't face
her parents. Well. what was to do?
| had to go and see her and find out
the worst, so threw a few things
in suitcase and caught the evening
train to Town. It's nonsense to say
was running away from anything:
why. | wrote a note that evening to
Miss Featherstone here telling her
about it."
us that true Miss Featherstone?"
Nancy gave a despairing sort of
sigh. Yes. it's true enough" she
said. "All this stupid mess up is en-
tirely my fault. can see that now"
What happened in London?"
Hylton cut in.
81 went down to the address she
wrote from. in this CHASTITY Battersea
place and there she was with her
sister. l will say her sister acted
like brick; between us we settled
the matter without trouble"
A lengthy silence followed this
Illuminating narrative; before the
silence was broken Nancy turned
and quietly left the room. and Hyl-
ton. though aware of what she was
doing. did nothing to hinder her.
$50 your skins SAFE" he said
eventually to Shipley.
Dale laughed awkwardly. "All
that's over anyway. and it's got
nothing to do with Arthur Burdett.
| didn't go near the old fool on Mon
day. and what's more there isn't any
one in the world who can possibly
prove that did"
And what about that murderous
stick of yours?"
"My stick? | always take that
with me when I'm walking. espe-
cially at night. I've trimmed up half
aedozen poachers with that before
now"
"Um."" Kingsley Hylton gazed at
the unwontedly communicative
young gentleman and unconscious
ly shook his head sadly; he was
loath to relinquish what had just be-
gun to promise to turn into a cast
iron case.
81 haven't the slightest idea
whether you're lying or not" he said
at length. 81 can check up on your
story. of course. to a certain ex-
tent-what's the address in Batter
sea you went to?"
"93 Park House Drive"
"Um. Wen see about all that-but
whether you're lying or not you are
still under suspicion of numbering
Arthur Burdett. I shall have a con-
stable up at your place tonight and
for the next few days so don't try
any tricks"
(cosv,sAt. 1886. Lawrence ". KsyasHl