The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-09-29
Chapter q
Attack In The Dark


Attack In The Dark
FEARING that Janet would cry
i out, Neill clapped a hand over
her mouth, and started dragging
her along the deck, resisting every
foot of the way. With great diff
Guilty he got her through the door
Of the BOBBY hatch, and closed the
door behind them. He sat down on
the iron stairs to recover his
breath, holding her close.
Janet suddenly broke into tears
and clung to him, and by that he
knew the crisis had passed. He had
never loved her so well as at that
moment. He wanted to laugh.
ooh, Honey. what fright you
gave me!''
How could you say such things
to me?"
"By God, I'm sorry now!"
IF you don't believe in me,
don't care what happens!"
Il dol / dol I viii never doubt
you again!"
How can be sure that you
mean it?"
81 love you better than my lifel"
he murmured. I'VE can't quarrel.
We're in this thing together. What
happens to one happens to the
other. We're like two parts of the
same body. If we separated it
would finish US bothl'
Gradually she quieted down.
They returned through the ship
hand in hand. Neil was sore
and at the same time immensely
tender. He did not believe her
story. In the ears of the trained de-
tective it had a fatally fictitious
sound; but he loved her far too
well 10 question it further. It
doesn't matter. he told himself;
she is my girl una I'm bound to
stick to her anyhow.
When they entered the suite, the
candle was still burning as they
had left it. Janet, who had been
considerably pulled about during
the struggle on deck, ran into the
bedroom TO comb her hair.
Neill lit a cigarette. As he waited
for Janet il gradually came TO him
that the room had been visited
during their absence. The cushions
Of the couch had been disarranged;
one of the drawers in the desk
was pulled out a little. Suddenly
chilled with fear, he ran out on
the veranda. The window where
the ladder hung was open again.
He broke into a cold sweat. His
position appeared truly terrible to
him. II seemed impossible to leave
Janet alone IL her refuge had been
discovered. And equally impos-
sible to stay with her. They had
only a days food and almost no
drinking water. Almost worse than
the danger was the mystery that
surrounded the unknown spy. If
he was aware of everything they
did, why didn't he show himself?
Why didn't he denounce them?
What lOns he after?
Meadow Lark's Can
JANET called to Neil from the
- parlor and he went in, forcing
himself to smile.
Much as ! hate 70 do Il, must
send you away" she said. "You
had no sleep last night. =. Unless
you could sleep here?' she added
wistfully.
Il suppose l must CO." ne said
fatty. .. Listen. Janet. When I
leave you. you must take the gun"
What good would that do me?"
IF you were attacked. you could
use II, couldn't you? II is the right
Of every human creature"
Il suppose / could. What has
made you suddenly anxious7"
Nothing. But | mustn't neglect
any precautions. He started pull
ing IN the length of Irvine that
HUNG overheard.
What are you doing that for?"
There are too many people
hanging around these parts" he
mutlered. sThe ships are objects
o. curiosity. Somebody might
come around IN a boat and see
the string hanging down"
How viii YOU let me know
Wnen you conner
Il viii whistle. Do Won know the
call Of the meadow lark"
She shook her head.
He taught Il 20 her. when you
hear that tomorrow night LET the
string down with a small object
tied 10 4 so that Il viii fall true.
Hold on 81 the string and ] will
twitch Il four times. wait q sec.
ond and witch Il four times more.
Then you viii know it's me and
you can LEI down The ladder
Why al these precautions9"
Neill grinned until his face hurt.
us just because you mean so
much 20 me. I worry every mo.
Tnent ] am away from YOU He
looked at al the doors into the
corridor 70 make sure that the
bolts were fastened. you're ~reifw