The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-10-16
The Wrong Murderer

By HUGH CLEvELY

By HUGH CIEVELf
sssssesssssssssssssssssss
I you're doing?" he asked. "Yo,
might have shot me-"
That's what | meant to do" she
said
Sitting on the floor. they examined
one another bad-temperedly. Ruth
Fraser was :. slim girl ": h a boyish
figure. candid. slightly freckled fea-
lures. a small determined chin. and
very clear dark eyes. she looked at
MaLcny with great scorn and dis
like: it was evident that she dis
approved o. him strongly.
Mahony sighed.
Didn't you hear. me say I'd come
to rescue you?" he asked in brave.
patient voice. His tone seemed TO
indicate that she probably did not
understand the meaning Of long
word like rescue"
"Of course did," she answered.
but | didn't believe you. Why
should I? thought you were one
of them. They've been promising
ma all sorts Of things If I'd come
out"
f see," said Mahony.
His annoyance vanished; he
laughed.
do you believe now that I've
come to rescue you?" he asked.
"Yes," she said.
He rose quickly to his feel. and
held out his hand to .elp her to rise.
She grasped It. and he pulled her
upright
"Come Oh, then; we'd better get
out Of here" he sale.
THAT will suit me-" she an.
swered.
CHE swayed slightly: of a sudden
~ she looked very weak and tired.
Mahony took her arm and helped
her along the passage and down.
stairs to the hall No one tried to
stop them. In the front doorwa' the
fat man was sitting up. leaning
back against the wall and groaning
oudly He looked rather like a fat
expiring fish. He watched them.
glassy-eyed, while they got into the
car. Mahony started the engine. and
with a loud roar they we're away.
1t was aot till they were well clear
of the house that either Of them
spoke. The girl broke the silence
between them.
$50 you came into that house
after me alone" she observed.
YES" said Mahony.
She appeared to consider for a
moment. Then she went on:
"I'm sorry was such a nuisance.
mean, trying to shoot you. and all
thai sort of thing"
That's all right" said Mahony
How are you feeling?"
"Tired." she answered. "and hun
gry | suppose you haven't by any
chlnce got ham sandwich or
piece of chocolate about you?
haven't had anything to eat since
the day before yesterday. There was
some water In my room. but that's
no. frightfully sustaining"
There was no trace OF hysteria OF
terror about her; she spoke quite
simply and seriously. Mahony liked
her. A nice kid. he reflected.
I'm sorry. haven't" he said.
But I'll soon have You hack at your
own home. and you'll be able to gel
all you want there"
II didn't really think you had.
she said. "But thought you might
have. II you know what I meal"
She looked at him with frank Gu.
riosity.
by the way. who are your" she
asked. "And how did you happen to
butt in this EVENING""
Mahony had no intention of dis.
closing his identity to her. He did
no. want to have to explain to her
relatives. or the police. how he had
found out that she was in that house.
Don't bother about who | am"
he answered. "I'm not going to an.
swer any questions. But I'd like you
t. tell me about yourself-how you
Iere Kidnapped. and what was going
| on inside that house when turned
| Up"
q was kidnapped about three
days ago. when l was with a friend
OF mine named Bill. Ross" she an.
swered. "He met me as | was com.
ir out OF my guardians house, and
asked me If I'd like to go with him
to see a marvellous fortune-teller
named Rachel.
Il went with him, and while was
looking INTO crystal somebody
came up behind me and pressed
something ever my mouth. think
it was chlo-oform: it smelt like it.
or course ! kicked and struggled
like anything. but it was no good.
that's all I remembe, till I woke
up in that house. There were three
men there. and they kept me locked
la room. they didn't ill.treat me,
except for not letting me go, but !
believe they put something in my
food" ssG
Some drug. you mean?" asked
Mahony.
fcopyrtoht. 1885, Hugh cieresyJ
Tomorrow, Terence tells Ruth
thew uatssf nark-4nHaUan