The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-10-13
Chapter 50
The Snapshot Of Janet

OOK," said Buckles with an
ugly grin, Tanning was car
rying that dolls picture in his
pocket. l know it wasn't found on
him after death because you never
lad no picture to publish. Maybe
this guy is carrying it on him. That
would be proof wouldn't it,"
The photograph was in Neill's
inside pocket. He felt as if he were
taking a nose dive through space
and waited, tense, for the crash. He
became aware that Bonniger was
asking with a smile:
"You don't mind if I 60 through
your pockets. do your"
Nell had to think with light
ming speed. 'Tll save you the
trouble" he smiled and threw the
card on the desk. That's the pho
tograph he's talking about"
It created a sensation. Kettering
looked shocked; Wilson's honest
eyes almost started from his head
and the friendly smile on Bon
niger's lips stiffened.
rs that the photograph" Bon
niger asked Buckles.
That's i" Buckles grinned.
THAT, said NELL. is the photo
graph Of a witness wanted in mar
cote case. / have never set eyes on
the original, and certainly she had
nothing to do with this matter"
How could this fellow have
known you were carrying such a
photograph" asked Bonniger.
His room Is across the corridor
from mine. ! have reason to believe
he has been through my things. "
Bonniger nodded. "All right. I'll
show this to The crew of the yacht
and that will clear you"
Neil felt dizzy again. The crash
was not averted, but only delayed.
He clenched his fist.
Wilson" said Bonniger, "bring
down MCGEE, viii you? He's the
most intelligent of that bunch"
Wilson went out. 1t seemed to
NELL that half a lifetime passed
before he returned. Kettering kept
drawing his hand over his face as
if to smooth out grin, and Neill
longed to punch him.
McGee's Answer
MCGEE, a stolid mechanic, came
w in wondering why he had
been sent for. He had the look of
a decent family man. Bonniger
pushed the photo towards him.
Did you ever see that wom-
MCGEE looked at the photograph
without changing a muscle. Before
answering. he glanced from one
man TO another in his deliberate
way and evidently made up his
mind about the situation. The
faintest flicker Of understanding
came into his eyes when they met
Neill's eyes.
No, ] never seen her before.
Who Is she? Why do you ask me?"
NELL looked down on the floor.
He wanted to sit down, but was
afraid of calling attention to him.
self. Il was only a temporary re-
prieve because he could not tell
what Buckles would say next.
Does that look like the woman
Tanning had aboard the yacht?"
asked Bonniger.
mo sir Nothinu lffraIts
"Ah. you dirty liarl" Buckless
burst out you're in cahoots with
this guy. I told the boss you was
q rat And now ! know you had a
hand in killing him.
Quieti" said Bonniger with sur
prlsing force for such still man.
BuckleSs subsidized in an angry
muttering. NELL glanced at him
uneaslly. Why didn't he say more?
Afraid Of discriminating himself
perhaps. Anyhow. il was clear that
he was through for the moment.
Nell ventured TO sit down.
That's all, Niece" said Bon
niger. Much obliged"
Bonniger handed the photo
toRraph back TO Nell. His manner
was less free than heretofore. and
Neil doubted IL he was as fully
satisfied as he was making out 10
be. He turned 20 Buckles.
Nov. mister. I'd be obliged lie
you'd answer a few questions
about your own movements.
When did you get TO Absalom's?"
"About lois Tuesday night"
-How did you Gomez
by automobile. A friend drove
me down from Baltimore. He went
back"
Pretty obNging friend 10 drive
l60 miles az night as a favor"
He was under obligations"
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