The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-05-29
Chapter 20
'Don't Watch The Stairs

'Don't Watch The Stairs
THE narrow corridor was In COM
Il pleie darkness. We made our way
along Il slowly with the aid OF Mikes
nashlieht Ia the main hall full lights
slill blazed. The silence was oppres-
sive. AS rapidly as my stiff legs and
aching head would allow. we crossed
70 Gays door, where Mike knocked
sharply.
-Michaei7- came the Shippers
voice from within.
OK Skipper" And the door was
opened.
Inside. the room was blue with
cigarette smoke. NJ Harrington was
Sun In the big chair. one pudgy hand
hanging on to Higgins for dear life.
William was sitting on the bed with
Annie on one side o. him and Cook
On the other. The man looked as II
his last call had sounded.
sims all right" said Michael
quickly. Just a little shaken up. How
are you now. William?~
Not 50 good. sir" The chauffeur
vas elaring at me sccusingIy. ITS
nasty thing to be hif On the head from
behind-nasty." l.ss
Gay showed a chair at me and
nopped into Il. hardly aware Of what
] was doing.
william | said. whats the big
idea-knocking me out and tying me
% your bed7"
Someone screamed-M- harrington.
! think-and William sprang TO his
feet shaking with fury. ~You dirty
dog be said and started for me.
Nike Intercepted him. -William!"
be shouted. Are you crazy2s His left
erm shot cut. and William spun
across the room. we found Mr.. Wells
IN yuur room just now-gagged and
tied 70 the bed
What2~ In spite Of myself pitied
him. Gagged and tied" His eyes
were those Of = suffering dog Then
~-Hho-hif-me7"
4 didn'tl- / said. what happened
% yslu7 Cant you see that time Is
imporiantg What happened?"
re turned to me like a man walking
IN his sleep. Il went into my room
Ike you told me- his voice was dazed.
-and you NJ ne when I went through
ne door. Only-you-didn't--hit-"
Suddenly his voice rose IN = below.
I'm getting cut Of here. III swim out
We're going % be murdered-mur-
oered IN re daTkl Let ne go" Mike
and q Were hanging on 70 his arms.
LET me Sc. l can't do no more. -"
Al TIE strength Mike had left went
into ihat punch- William crumpled to
ne Goor.
Re qusetr Coos was shaking
Annla farinusly. start any fuss now
and 81 warm you proper
over williams body. stared 81
1Irhaafs grim face. 1T wasn't VIII
Lam. zness.- said through dry lips.
no. And TIE rest Of rs were all
here
The skipper was kneeIIng beside
william. and Gay was bringing water
1rom the bsthroom-
There IS Someone Else
~T,HEN.~ ssia Michael At last. there
- someone else in the house
asueone ncne 81 "a know about"
There seemed % oe no other ex-
rianstion. Which meant that no one
IN nat room vas q murderer. None
- un had crept steaIfhily into the
storm after q friend. and-l could
have uhooped with relief
william mosned and opened his
EYES.
Better asked ths Skipper. you
wese . BIZ excited and they quieted
pes
~Ilerr- Mlke was oozing good
sniriis. ~isf ne help you. Stretch out
50 flie ed 3 While. You'll be al
rIrhf~ aft ..ff .fss-g
Wr helped him % The bed Annie
Escaping from Cook snn autteTing TO
hIs assistance. A. F5srington brought
g. hack 10 me problem 1t hand
~rou really think there is someone
eirr in the house,
-Nof . doubt IN the world. Aunt
Marta said Michael. And that
naskes everything al right
~flaex itY~ ne Farringion eyebrows
wsnt go ~NoN I sh0ula say. Michael.
tlaf u makes everything very much
arong. You don't seriously intend 10
r.i here de While an unknown Grim
lnsi faams tie house. criminal who
has murdered one Of your guestss
al Pennington had knack for put
tinR thlnKx unpigassntly. | had been
eaus. deriug doing Just that and 50.
conld zee from his face. had Michael
Compsred % the sensation Of Sas-
pertnz your best friends Of an un-
sprakabie crime. the feeling Of mere