The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-09-08
ou e Chapter Three
Cocktails With Tanning

"VXTHAT'S Fanning's business
Vhere?" Neill pressed.
81 haven't been able to find out, /"
said Eyster. "After all, I'm only
one'f1an and | can't let him get on
to me. But he's up to no good, you
can be sure of that"
whats his record?"
Eyster shook his head. II won't
tell you :. yet"
"Why can't we work together on
this?" asked Neill. ''We both dis
trust the man and want to prevent
him doing any further harm. -"
II don't care how much harm
he does" Eyster interrupted.
Neill looked at him in exaSpera-
ton. He seemed part mailman.
part child and scarcely human.
Eyster moistened his lips. 1.-THE
rottener he acts, the more fun it is
to watch him." he said softly. "And
the more satisfactory his finish
will be-"
what do you mean. his finish?"
EySter declined to explain. Il
like you, young man." he said with
grin. ''You won't let anything on,
but / can see that you hate him. -.
I'll tell you something" he sud-
denly went on with a squirt of
venom. my hatred of Tanning is
all l live for. And my business.
that you asked me about just now,
is to follow him around and watch
him and feed it."
"Good God" muttered Neill.
''Why?"
Eyster turned cautious again.
SIN not going to tell you anything
more / I've tested you out" he
said. a ont want my plans inter-
fered with"
Whats going to be the end of
this?" asked Neill.
"The end may be slow in COM
ing" said Eyster. grinning. "but
it's certain!"
Neill looked at him, wondering
how to deal with such a crack-pot
do you know about his yaeht?"
asked EySter.
Here was a bit of real informa-
ton. mo. What yacht?'
He has just bought a yacht
called the Nadji. I can't figure
what he wants a yacht for"
Wont it be difficult for you TO
follow him If he goes off on
Yacht?" suggested Neill. fishing.
Il have made my arrange
ments," said Eyster grinning.
Where's the yacht lving?"
"At the City pier. foot of Broad
way" Eyster got up abruptly.
"Have you ever seen Fanning?"
he asked.
mo. nae
well. here he comes. I'll leave
you" e~
Over The Bar
FOLLOWING the direction of
L oysters glance, Neill saw tall.
dark, handsome man coming in
from the street. At first glance he
scarcely looked the 80 years he
confessed to, but as he came closer
Neil judged him about five years
more than that He was in the pink
of condition with a skin as fresh
as a baby's. His black eyes were
set close together, Giving him
foxy look: they were the kind of
eyes that turn continually and
overlook nothing. A hard face. but
rendered specifically attractive
by a good-natured smile. A crook
and a slick one. thought Neill.
Tanning. nodding pleasantly TO
his acQuaintances in the lobby.
strolled on into the bar. After Civ
ing him a moment or two. Neill
followed.
He found Tanning leaning negh-
gently on the mahogany, watching
the bartender stir him up an old
fashioned cocktail. Neill lined up
nearby and looked him over in the
mirror without appearing TO.
Tanning was wearing nerfect-
ly-cut gray flannel suit and an ex-
penSive Panama hat. His shirt and
tie were Just a little different from
ANYBODY eise's. Evidently a man
who gave a good deal Of thought
TO his dress Nell. who bought good
clothes without thinking about
them. resented L. just the sort Of
thing 70 catch woman's eyei
Since il was the hour before din
ner when nobody IS in . rush and
each Of them was alone az the bar.
II was natural % fall into talk.
When Nell also ordered an old
fashioned. Tanning said with his
ready smile:
Great minds think alike"
Great oneS and small oneS too.
said Neill
Tanning laughed. Are sou reg
Istered here"
NO. ~ the Stafford
Ny name is Prescott Tanning.
~Trn Walter Patton
where fromz~
New York"
That's my town toe. But rna