The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-07-22

OF this Warner was positively GER
tain.
With this aim in view he made
his way back to Hope Enderton.
Lumsdale was In at the Court
when he got there and bid him
'goodday" with an Independent nod
of the head.
swell. I've been ferreting around"
the inspector assured him cheer.
fully. "You seem to be known by
sight everywhere as a matter of
fact"
"More people know Tom Fool
than Tom Fool knows"
even the imposing gentleman
outside the picture place knows
you"
"He's clever then. for ah'ye never
said a word to him in me life"
"He says as far as he can remem-
Der that you went into the pictures
about half past three on Monday"
Lumsdale looked up sharply from
his task. HE can't remember very
far then" he said. what would l
be doing messing about in More
chester till then?"
ITO tell you the TRUTH" Hylton
said disarmingly. that's just what
| have been wondering. You didn't
do any shopping or anything on the
way?
"Ah went straight to pictures.
Mister. ah tell you." Lunsdale re-
peated doggedly.
"Just so. All. well. the fiorid-faced
gentleman outside the Cinema must
be wrong then"
n UMSD ALE'S thin lips were
IL pursed for some doubtless
scathing comment when voices in
the back passage interrupted him.
Better go out and see who that
is," Hylton suggested. I'VE don't
want people poking about here"
There's some as seem pretty
handy at it." Lumsdale said as he
left the room to investigate. Quick
as lightning the Inspector crossed
the floor and taking a photograph
from the mantelshelf tucked it
away in his pocket. 1t was fairly
recent likeness of friend Lumsdale.
"lt's Sergeant White as is polk
ing about now" Lumsdale an
nounced, returning with White hard
on his heels.
II saw you come up the road to
the Court. sir" White explained.
land thought I'd look in to see
If you wanted me for anything"
Good man. Well walk down to
your place together. I've just been
having a friendly chat with Lums-
dale"
That's right" Lumsdale gave
one of his rare. unmirthful laughs.
"And now I'll tell you one thing
as perhaps you don't know. just to
show l am friendly like. Come this
way"
He led them both into the room
where the murder had been com.
mitted. The body had been taken
to the Coroner's Court at More.
chester in preparation for the in.
quest. 1t was relief not to see
that sheeted huddle on the table
and yet in some queer way. the
room seemed even grimmer and
less pleasant for being empty. And
what with this feeling. and the damp
chill of the place. Hylton gave an
involuntary little SILVER.
Lumsdale noticed 1t and nodded.
Feels bit like that" he said. "Ah
reckon told boys still hanging
about the Court. near that safe of
his. wouldn't wonder"
Don't trot out any more Of that
ghost business. for Heavens sake"
Hylton said sharply.
"You don't believe in It, eh Mis-.
ter?" Well. p'raps you're right: but
here's queer go. D'you notice any.
thing?"
They were standing now by the
table and the Inspector looked care
fully at the few trappings and adorn-
ments OF that bare place.
Someone's moved that club" he
said.
"Ah did: ah put it back in fits
right place"
ain its right placer Hylton
queried quickly. One heavy wooden
club. tragically smeared at its end,
had been taken. with the body, to
Morechester for the inquest: its
fellow now hung from a nail high
up on the wall between the win.
dows.
But surely It was on this nall
here before" Hylton said. pointing
to an untenanted nail much lower,
down on tn same wall.
'It was. That was where we found
it when We came In, wasn't 1t, Ser.
geant?" u
That's right"
(CesvisAs. 1886. LaSysses ". Hsyssly