The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-01-11


then did this American society CIR
kill Luis Hildez. the shipping
boss-?"
Hold up, LAMAR" Fox ordered
peremptorily. "You don't know thai
she did"
"Ah," said LAMAR, "but who is to
prove she didn't? Who is to prove
facts wrong? You were there per
haps? Perhaps you will say that you
shot him yourself with the true gal
lantry Of the young man who shields
his lady? Oh, the story opens ire
mendous possibilities. 1t must not
get out. Oh, no. 1t must not"
who'd be interested in a story
like that?"
LAMAR shrugged.
81 have reason to believe that in
certain quarters it would be worth
ten thousand dollars. Murder under
strange circumstances is always in.
triguing. Is is not SOP"
Why did he keep stressing that
murder part of it? 1t was a dirty
word. What a break! The trouble
was, Fox thought grimly. that Allaire
wouldn't deny anything she had
done that night, but she'd be too
proud to go into details.
Then mathematician head
lines in yellow journals, graphic
drawings in scandal sheets. pictures
of Allaire and her home. of Steve
Perry and the rest of that crowd.
stories of her brief stormy affairs.
And who was to prove she'd shot
in self-defense. fill in the chinks be-
tween the facts? Where was Willett?
Ducking bullets in Propionoire prob
ably. What a surprise party this was.
T AMARR'S eyes had been fixed on
L. him steadily.
81 think you agree that it is best
nothing be said." he remarked softly.
"Is 1t not so. Mr.. Fox?"
"I'd hate to see any lady embar-
raised, if that's what you mean"
"Quite so. Particularly lady with
the social background Of" he
stopped, smiling deprecatorily. But
| must not be indiscreet beyond the
bounds of comprehension. Let us
say no more about it." He waved a
hand. "Mr. Fox, l find myself in
very embarrassing position. finan
cially-"
Fox drew a breath. Now it was
coming. He'd spotted it long ago.
certain investments have
turned out badly" He shook his
head sadly. But you are not inter-
ested in that, of course?"
my sympathy" said Fox, watch.
ing him like hawk.
"Ah-your sympathy" LAMAR
stared fixedly at the glowing tip of
his cigaret. MIR. Fox, need thirty
thousand dollars. need it immedi-
ately. You-don't know who would
arrange a loan for me perhaps?"
That's a lot Of money"
mot such a sum-considering the
interests involved.
Fox said nothing for a moment.
There wasn't much Of the diplomat
in his handsome face as he looked at
LAMAR, but there was a certain
launching to the shoulders that
limited at action some time in the
very near future.
LAMAR seemed to sense that. He
laughed.
Nothing unpleasant, please. Mr..
Fox" he said calmly. 81 can be un-
pleasant too-which is one reason
have no country just now. / merely
ask you to arrange a loan for me-
you refuse?"
Il refuse" said Fox grimly.
LAMAR sighed and arose. There
was a queer air of triumph about
him that Fox couldn't quite fathom.
The attache had the idea that La
Mari hadn't cared particularly
whether he arranged the loan" or
not. LAMAR had wanted something
else-and whatever it was, Fox had
strange feeling that he'd got it.
"Ah, well. no matter, Mr.. Fox.
will look elsewhere. If you do not
care to accommodate me. perhaps
Mr.. West will be more amenable.
Good day."
Just a minute" said Fox. Get
this. LAMAR. l don't intend to let
you get away with anything queer.
Understand"
You threaten?" said LAMAR.
panied. "a diplomat-now. really.
Mr.. Fox"
He bowed and left. Fox lit a ciga.
ret and tried to relax. 1t was as
pretty set-up for little blackmail
as he'd ever seen.
Allaire would probably have told
LAMAR to go to the devil, but Ray
and Nell West would. submit to q
shake-down. So would Steve Perry
probably. And Fox himself hated the
idea Of seeing the girl he loved
spread over countless yellow sheets.
her motives misconstruea. stamped
for life by purple pens.
Copyright. 1855. By David GdrthJ