The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-07-25

another sort or killer. Instead or FOL
lowing the other laggards through
field he turned uphill. trotted along
the headland. and finding conven-
lent gap forced his way on to the
gateway in the bottom corner Of the
road.
There followed a slight argument
with the hack whose ancient blood
was fred with the excitement OF the
chase: but Hylton won. and was
presently trotting steadily back to-
wards Hope Enderton. The hunt
had already travelled in a rough
quarter of a circle so he was not as
far away from the village as he
might have been, and before long
be was knocking at the door OF
Fielder Cottage, which Sergeant
White had already pointed out to
him as belonging to Dale Shipley.
MRS. SOMERS opened the door.
1F1 and her first cheerful smile at
seeing gentleman in riding clothes
(such as they were!) soon yielded
to very different expression when
Hylton began to ask questions. and
she realized who he must be.
I'm afraid I'm rather foolish
about times and things like that"
the Inspector said affably. Il just
wanted to get it all quite plain about
last Monday night"
II can't tell you what don't
know"
Quite so. It's what you do know
! want to get at Mrs"
"Somers. thank you"
We'll. now. Mrs. Somers. let me
see: did Mr.. ShipIey have dinner
here on Monday EVENING""
HE did not. He went over to Cap
tain Reeves. where he often does
CO."
u suppose he motored over
there?"
mo. He walked"
walked"
THAT'S 1t. Mrs. Somers,' he said
to me. it's fine night. and / think
| shall walk. I'm giving myself
plenty of time That's right. sir.
said. do: and that's all there was
about It."
What time was that. Mrs. Som
ers?"
"A quarter to seven exactly; /
heard st. Leonard's strike"
HyltOn considered d.. quarter
to seven. Young Shipley certainly
had allowed himself plenty OF time.
The Inspector already knew from
an intensive study Of sixinch Ord
nance Map of The district that a
moderate walker could hardly take
longer than twenty minutes to get
from Fielder Cottage to the Reeves
place.
''He took his stick?"
"He always does when he goes
walking"
Does Mr.. Shipley often go walk
ing in his dinner cl0theS?
perhaps he doesn't: but what's
the harm in folks walking out on
a nice night If they've a mind to?"
81 don't say there's any harm in
it. Mrs. Somers."
That's what ! think. | must say
can see deal more harm in fer
reting about in other peoples bust
ness. If you ask me-"
The Inspector took his leave oil
this formidably loyal retainer and
mounting his horse trotted gently
over to Ferney House. A scurry OF
dogs greeted him in the drive and
kept up an ear splitting din until
the door was opened by maid a
deal younger and more susceptible
to the presence of a mere male than
the excellent Mrs. Somers.
Hylton found no difficulty in per.
suading her to tell him all she knew
about Monday evening.
Il suppose it was rather rush for
you with party on and everything"
he said alphabetically.
"Oh. Mrs Reeves always gets wor-
ried when there's anyone coming.
you'd think it was Royalty coming
to dinner"
"And Captain Reeves wasn't back
till late. was he?"
"Oh. the Captain. He's all right.
He was back just about half past
five. He came back before from
hunting and then went out some
where again."
And was back at half past five. l
see. And the guests. were they all
up to timer"
mo. they weren't. Mrs. Reeves Is
always on at me about being late, so
| made a special effort on Monday.
in spite of Cook and her slow oven
and everything. The little clock IN
the hall struck half past seven just
as l went past It. And then. of
course, when | told them dinner was
ready. Mr.. Shipley hasn't come. IL
you please. What's the good of be-
ing punctual. I'd like to known"
| (Cctir,sA:. 1850. Laurence ". Asyasilj