The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-11-04
chapte: q
THE SLY ELSA

@IS9
T AWsON's impotence was in.
creasing to get off the line; he
hardly thought what he was saying.
"You could get himaWaz. from her
all right, my dear Elsa. II you liked"
he replied. 81 think he's a lot more
interested il you than he is in her.
II you could make her jealous she
might turn against him"
What !" exclaimed Elsa.
Lawson smiled. Actually the re-
mark he had just made idly. on the
spur of the moment. struck him as
an idea with possibilities In It. But
he didn't want to 20 into that now.
Don't you both e your head any
more tonight about Miss Fraser. or
anybody else." he said in firm but
kindly tone. "You go tC bed and get
: good nights rest. I'm not going to
talk to you. any more now. Good
night. Elsa"
With that he rang off.
Elsa re placed the receiver slowly,
and then sat down to think some
more. Lawson's suggestion had
started a curious train Of thought
working il her head. A prominent
film actress. noted for her beauty.
can hardly fail to be conscious of
Ler powers of attraction. Elsa was
not conceited. but she knew from
experience that men fell easily in
love with her. Both Ruth and Law.
son had suggested that Mahony was
attracted by her. If he was 80.
A curiously intent, set look came
over her lovely face IS she sat there
alone in that room thinking. She was
considering a plan which she hated,
but which she meant to carry out.
l. Mahony was attracted by her. she
meant to use that attraction to free
Ruth from his clutches. and to bring
about his own downfall and avenge
her uncle. 1t would be hateful doing
it. but her only weapons were her
wit and beauty. and she was entitled
TO use them in the fight against her
Incle's murderer.
AT last, with a sigh, she rose from
her chair. walked YEARLY to her bed
room, and went to Jed. Meanwhile
Lawson sat on in his study. smoking
cigaret after cigaret. and waiting for
. q telephone call which did not come.
NIAHONY had just finished break.
A'A fast. and was smoking a cigar-t.
when his landlady announced that a
lady wished to see him.
please show her in." he said.
His landlady withdrew. There was
a sound of footsteps crossing the
ball. The door opened. and Elsa
Little stood in the doorway.
Mahony rose quickly from his
chair. He felt confused and awk.
ward, and utterly astonished.
Miss Little!" h exclaimed. as
II he coul1 hardly believe it was she.
Elsa was not an actress for moth
ing: she knew how to play a part.
She entered the room shyly. hesitat.
ingly. as if insure of her welcome;
her voice. when she spoke. was sub
dued and timid.
II don't suppose you want to
see me. but had to come" she said
falteringly. 81 want to say now sorry
[ am for the things | said yesterday
morning. l. i was upset: | hardly
knew what was saying"
"YOu mean you ion't suspect me
of killing your uncle?" said Mahony
in a delighted tone.
Mahony's heart beat faster with
excitement as he waited Tor her an.
swer.
well :. did think recognized
your voice in the room." she admit.
ted hesitatingly. But couldn't have
if you were with Ruth when it
happened. 1t must have been some.
body with a voice something like
yours"
That made MahonS feel rather
awkward. He had a momentary i'm.
pulse to tell her the whole truth
that it had been his voice, but that
ali the same he had not killed her
uncle. Better not. though. he thought
NOT yet.
Il can: tell you how glad am you
don't suspect me any more" he said.
81 hated your thinking that It was /
who had killed your uncle"
His voice and manner gave the i'm.
preston of absolute sincerity, and
for a moment Elsa was puzzled. If