The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-10-24
By HUGH CLEVELY

dered Mr.. Little, because he was
with me-" put in Ruth.
Indeed. Was .Ar. Mahony also
staying with your old school friend?"
asFed Lee-Ramsden IRONICALLY.
He slipped his sherry. looked from
Ruth to Mahony. and continued in
the same tone of mild irony.
81 don't profess to know what's
happened. aud perhaps I'm too old
and stupid TO be told. but can't help
feeling that somehow you two young
people have got yourselves into a
devil of I mess. 1t ray interest you
to know that Inspector Kennedy
was making enquiries about both II
you. | have an idea that he rather
doubts your old school friend story"
at wasn't my story; il was your
story; you told me to tell it." pro.
tested Ruth heatedly. 81 told you
what really happened-that | was
kidnapped, but you wouldn't believe
me-"
"Yes, that's true" admitted Lee
Ramsden. But you couldn't tell me
who kidnapped yod. Or where you
were taken. or who rescued you. and
during your ak,ence received none
of the demands for ransom or other
sensational consequences of genu-
inc acknowledgement. my dear. your
story didn't sound very convincing.
did it? II you'd only brought Mr..
Mahony in with you. or told NE his
name"
But he wouldn't come in. and ne
wouldn't tell me his NAME" inter-
rupted Ruth. II didn't know his
name till l met him at Elsa's this
morning."
"These l.eroes are very modest.
aren't they?" said Lee-Ramsden
blandly.
He paused and looked at Mahony.
and the expression of sood-natured
irony had quite left his face; his
glance was Keen and piercing.
"Or perhaps you had some other
reason for wishing to conceal your
nocturnal activities" he went on in
&. harder tone. did the Inspector
question you at any length about
them? I'd like you to tell me exact
Iy what TOOK place at this interview
at the Titles house"
NTAHONY told him. When Ma
1t1 hony had finished. Lee-Rams-
den made slight gesture IS if mar
Yelling at human foolishness.
"You began by telling the lhspec-
t.. that yo' d been walking about
London till a late hour" he com.
rented. Then Ruth came in and
SAID that you hadn't been walking
about London. you'd been motoring
with her. Naturally h. doesn't be-
lieve either of your stories. And if
we tell him now that Ruth was kid
mapped anG you rescued her. he
won't believe that ,ither Unless you
can produce proof that she was kid
Tapped and you rescued hei. Can
you ?"
NO." answered Mahony.
mo" echoed Lee-Ramsden. "And
at the inquest on Little tie chances
are that you'll both be questioned
about your movements. BY that time
Inspector Kennedy will probably
have obtained proof that Ruth was
not staying with Anne Dowsol dur
l. g her absence. May | ask what you
propose 10 say?"
Mahony made no answer. 1t was
obvious that Lee-Ramsden was
right; they would be questioned at
the inquest And he did not see what
the devil they could say.
"Your first story Of walking about
will be brought up and contrasted
with Ruth's story that you were mo-
toring back from the country. PEG.
pie will say that you lied in order to
save Ruth from scandalous talk. and
that she lied in order to save you
from being arrested. and that. any.
way. you're both no DETER than you
should be. Nothing you say now.
either of .ou. is going to be be-
lieved without indisputable proof.
And If you're not arrested. you're
both going 20 be the objects of lot
of unpleasant gossip"
This. IS Mahony realized with
blank dismay. was also perfectly
true For himself he did not mind.
But Ruth's name would be coupled
win his: he could imagine the kinds
of things people WOULD be saying
about them.
The butler entered and an
nounced that lunch was served. Lee
Ramsden rose.
Even If we are going to be talked
about. we needn't star e." he said.
Come down and have some lunch"
Lunch was a silent meal. Mahony
was perplexed and worried. and he
did not in the least know what to
make Of his host. Judging by his
manner the things he had learned
before lunch had not disturbed him
at all. Mahony understood what
Ruth had meant when she said her
guardian was little unhuman.
copyright. 1886. Hugh ClevelyJ