The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-02-26

II
you less than twenty-four hours. but
I feel instinctively that you're the
one person can ask advice from"
"Adyice?" said frankie surprised.
"Yes. | can't make up my mind
between two different courses of ac-
tion." He paused. He was leaning
forward, swinging racquet between
his knees. a light frown on his fore
head. He looked worried and upset.
"It's about my brother. Lady
Frances
"Yes"
"He is taking drugs. am sure
OF t."
What makes you think so?" asked
frankie.
Everything. His appearance. His
extraordinary changes of mood. And
have you noticed his eyes? The pu-
pills are like pin-points."
Il had noticed that." admitted
frankie. What do you think it is?"
"Morphia or some form OF opium"
HAS 1t been going on for long?"
Il date the beginning of it from
ab3ut six months ago. remember
that he complained of sleeplessness
good deal. How he first came to
take the stuff | don't know. but |
think ii must have begun soon after
then"
"How does he get hold of it?" in
quired frankie practically.
81 think it comes to him by post.
Have. you noticed that he is par
ticularly nervous and irritable some
days at tea,time?"
!: ayes, / have"
II suspect that that is when he
has finished up his supply and is
waiting for more. Then. after six
o'clock post has come. he goes into
his study and emerges for dinner in
quite a different mood"
frankie nodded. She remembered
that unnatural brilliance of CONVEX
sation sometimes al dinner.
"But where does the supply come
from?" she asked.
"Ah. that don't know No reputa-
BILE doctor would give it to him.
There are. suppose. various sources
where one could get 1t in London
by paying big price"
FRANKIE nodded thoughtfuIly.
L why exactly are you telling me
this?" she asked.
Because | don't know what to do
about Sylvia" he said simply.
"You think she doesn't know?"
"0f course she doesn't know
Ought to tell herr"
ats very difficult"
cit is difficult. That's why l
thought you might be able to help
me Sylvia has taken a great fancy
to you. She doesn't care much for
any OF the people round about. but
she liked you at once. she tells me.
WHAT ought | to do. Lady Frances?
BY telling her. shall add a great
burden to her life"
"lf she knew. she might have some
influence" suggested frankie
81 doubt it. When it's case OF
drug taking. nobody. even the near
est and dearest. has any influence"
That's rather hopeless attitude.
isn't it?"
"It's a fact. There are ways. of
course. II Henry would only consent
to 20 in for a cure-there's a place
actually near here. Run by "a DR..
Nicholson"
"But he'd never consent. would
he?"
He might. You can catch a
niorphia.taker In a mood of extrava-
CANT remorse sometimes when he'd
do anything TO cure himself. I'm in
clined TO think that Henry might be
got to that frame of mind more east
ly If he thought Sylvia didn't know
IF her knowing were held over him
d b Ehd of threat. II the cure were
successful-they'd call it nerves. of
course-she would never need to
know" AZ
rWouid'he have to go away for the
cure?"L III tsf4:
"THeipIace lAmean is about three
miles from here. the other side Of
the village. IT'S run by a Canadian.
DR.. Nicholson. A very clever man.
| believe. And fortunately Henry
likes him. Hush here comes
Sylvia
Mrs. Bassington french Joined
them, observing. Have you been
very energetic?"
Three SETS" said frankie. "And
was beaten every time"
"You play a very good game" said
Roger.
"l'm terribly lazy about tennis"
said Sylvia. I'VE must ask the Mich.
olsons over one day. She's very fond
of a game. Why-what is it?' She
had caught the glance the other two
had exchanged.
"Nothing-only I just happened to
be talking about the Nicholsons to
Lady Frances"
(cosrisks I03;-;5-;6. agatha clyisfis)
Frankie takes tricky bull by the
horns. -tomorrnNf-