The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-10-15
Chapter So
The Eyster Saga

ONCE again Neill and Bonniger
" met at the breakfast table be-
fore any of the other guests of the
hotel came down stairs. Neither
had had more than a couple Of
hours sleep. Bonniger's manner
was still outWardly friendly. but
the warmth that Neill had had
glimpse of was gone. He said:
Il see that you have the same
idea as me. It's the early bird that
gets the ham and eggs"
That's right" said Neill. when
the mob charges, staff-work in the
kitchen breaks down."
Bonniger went on: Our first
job is to check this tough guy
Buckles alibi."
Neill was surprised. "Our" first
job Evidently Bonniger expected
TO catch him up by making believe
that nothing was changed. NELL
became wary.
Suppose you and ] make a
quick trip to Baltimore for that
purpose?" Bonniger went on. eff
we start as soon as we finish eat
ing, we can get back here almost
before we are missed"
Sure" said Neill. He thought:
He doesn't mean to let me out of
his sight.
They set out in one Of the police
cars before the village was up and
doing. Constable Mattingly drove
them. Mattingly, a fine physical
specimen like all his mates, was
pretty sheepish as a result of his
escapade up the road the night be-
fore, and anxious to make good.
He drove like streak.
From the corner Of the back seat.
Bonniger conversed in his grave
fashion. Avoiding all reference to
the case in hand, he was trying to
draw Neil out as to his past life.
He was like a keen-eyed surgeon,
scalpel IN hand, and Neill in or
der 10 protect himself let his head
nod as If he found it impossible to
keep awake. Bonniger finally let
him alone and Neill, with his eyes
closed. mulled over his own prob
lens All depended on whether
Buckless' abb would stand Up.
The address furnished by Buck
less led them to the modest Office
OF j. Harvey Brager. a young man
who combined the occupations of
yacht broker, shipping agent and
dealer in marine supplies.
Sure, | sold Ira Buckles the
yacht Nadji." he said, sand that's
where my responsibility begins
and ends. ] never met Fanninge
He went on to describe the trip
70 Absalorn's on Tuesday night,
corroborating Buekless in every
particular. Il am a nnethodical
kind Of fellow and | made note of
the time. We filled up at the gaso-
line station on Hanover street at
8:25 and | left Buckles in Absa-
Ions at 1920. I was back home
In Baltimore at 1915"
They left him. So Buckles alibi
was watertight. Neill was badly
let down, and perhaps Bonniger
also As Buckles was cleared, his
manner towards NELL hardened.
THAT eliminates Buckles. We
know that the movies were out at
1918. and that the crew immedi-
ately returned aboard the yacht.
Tanning was shot before Buckles
arrived on the scene"
II was scarcely necessary TO 60
to the filing station. But they did,
and the story was confirmed.
The Detectives Report
THEY sat In the car to discuss
! the next move. Bonniger said:
ITO me there is something queer
IN the story this fellow Eyster told.
But since you and he have both
testified that you spent Tuesday
evening together. / reckon there
is no use trying TO pin anything
on him.
Nell guessed from the dryness
OF his tone that Bonniger was only
trying 20 draw him. He said moth
ing. he felt now that Eyster must
be their man, but could not say so.
Anyhow. let's check up oysters
story" said Bonniger.
This suited Neill. He didn't care
II he was proved a liar so long as
they obtained positive evidence
against EysteT.
They went 20 headquarters 70
enlist the assistance Of the police
81 searching for q taxicah that had
made a trip 20 Absalom'S on the
erevious Tuesday.
While they were there. addi-
nonal information was f0rthconl-
-. It transplred that when
kyster's name was first brought
Gfo the case 3 headquarters de-
tective named Penty had been as
&gned 10 look up his antecedeatS.
8he trail had led him to Canaan
&mfssta a faxssss ia New Nesh state