The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-10-20
By HUGH CLEVELY

piciously:
+What's the idea? Why are you
trying to pretend that you didn't
mention the murder?
He seemed to suspect Lawson OF
dark deeds and sinister intentions
Lawson retaliated by merely look
ing superior. He shrugged his shout
ders with a nonchalant air.
1.-THE man who came running out
of the house when the constable and
| arrived. shortly after the murder.
lift me and the constable very hard
with his fist" he observed dispas-
sionately.
, He made slight gesture towards
Mahony's right hand.
How did you get that Craze on
your knuckles?" he asked.
Mahony glanced down at his
knuckles. He had grazed them
knocking out one of Mulgrave's
teeth.
II fell over and scraped my hand
on the pavement" he answered.
a LII his indignation had gone; he
1 \ felt quite cool and collected
now. In a way. he was rather enjoy
ing himself. He recognized that his
position was very awkward. but it
was not necessarily disastrous.
Elsa claimed to have recognized
him by his voice as the man who
had killed her uncle. but that recog-
milton alone, especially considering
the dazed state she had been in after
her uncle's murder, was not suffici.
ent to convict him in a court OF
law without good deal of corrobora-
tive evidence. 1t was up to him to
see that no such evidence was forth
coming.
Can you give me an account OF
your movements after ten o'clock
last night?" asked Inspector Ken.
nedy.
Mahony shrugged his shoulders.
"Very roughly" he answered. "I've
been away for about four years. you
know. and last night simply wan
dered alone about London seeing the
sights. l walked along Oxford
Street, the Strand, and back by the
Houses of Parliament. Ebury Street.
Sloane Street and Hyde Park. l
stayed In the Park for some time
listening to one of the stump speak
ers. | don't know what time | got
home. but it must have been pretty
late because everybody was asleep"
81 suppose you didn't meet any
body you knew during your wander
ings?" asked the Inspector.
"No. But it's not likely that !
should. hardly know anybody in
London" explained Mahony.
There was a pause. The Inspectors
next question came very suddenly
and CURLY.
81 understand that you have re
Gently returned from a four years
stay in China. Did you know any
body out there engaged In the dope
traffic-exporting drugs. mean?"
Mahony hesitated for a moment.
Then he decided to be quite truth
full.
"Yes." he replied. Il met a man
out there who talked to me about
that sort of thing. de was Russian
named VLADIMIR Kosoff. l believe
l broke his jaw"
"You seem to be somewhat VIC
lent person." observed Inspector
Kennedy. 81 take it that the thought
of engaging in that trade yourself
has never occurred to your"
"No." answered Mahony.
do you disapprove Of it?" asked
the Inspector.
81 think it's a filthy traffic." said
Mahony.
But he wondered. a little anxious
ly. what the Inspector was getting at
"a most creditabIe sentiment"
said the Inspector blandly. "And
when you returned to England you
went at once to stay with your friend
Mr.. Ross"
"Yes." agreed Mahony.
"He is particular friend of yours.
| take it?" persisted the Inspector.
"Yes." agreed Mahony again.
I'VE were at school together"
HAS it ever been suggested to you
that Mr.. Ross is a dope addict?"
asked the Inspector.
Mahony had been waiting for
something like that He was ready
for il.
BILLY Ross a dope addict! Don't
be silly" he said contemptuously.
The Inspector had not said: Ross
is a dope addict" IN the manner OF
one stating a fact: he had said. HAS
II been suggested to you that Ross In
a dope addict" In the manner OF
one seeking for Information or adj
missions. Someone. quite evidently.
had put this dope idea into the In
spector's mind. and he was merely
engaged on exploring its possible
ties.
copyright 1885. Hugh ClspeiyJ
f The last person Terence expects
TO see arrives, tomorrow.