The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-10-16
Chapter So
Sparring VIII BucIkIess

80 . " A~AA A%eANAAA~CD
DURING the short walk to the
u entrance, Neill had to do some
hard thinking. He knew that he
was about to be arrested. Mating
~ had the car at the door. When
he was arrested, what would Janet
do? He must make a getaway.
In the lobby they ran into
Brager, the yacht broker, coming
in from the street. Here you are"
he said. Il went down to the filling
station after you and they said you
had come here. There's something
! want to tell you that I forgot"
Whats that?" Isked Bonriger.
when Buckles and / motoFed
down TO Absalom's we stopped at
the hotel in Kings Green for a
beer. II was then Gas" isyoI
Much obliged" said Bonniger.
This was a very. small piece of
information for the man to chase
them around town with and Neiil
wondered what was behind it,
Brager wanted to shake hands
on parting from them. When he
took Neill's hand he pressed
piece of paper in it, and Neill
palmed it. While Drager was shak-
ing hands with Bonniger, Neill
coolly turned his back and read:
Buckles just sent me
phone message to tell you to
talk to him before you did
anything.
Brager left them. Neill, having
crumpled the paper in his hand,
stood with bent head trying to
dope out the notes significance.
Come or" said Bonniger, be-
ginning to show inpatience.
Neill made up his mind to see
what there was in it. "Okay." he
said, following Bonniger.
The ride back to Absalom's was
not a pleasant one. Bonniger's face
was stony now. He seemed more
sorry than sore, and that made
Neill feel like hell. Bonniger rode
with Mattingly and Neil had the
back seat to himself. There was no
talk on the way.
When they got out in front of
Longcope's store, Neil faced Bon
niger frankly. @NTarls ne said,
"I've got favor to ask of you"
Whats that?"
Il want to talk to Buckles
alone. We could see last night that
he wasn't telling the whole truth,
and ! think maybe ! can get some
thing more out of him."
This request surprised Bonniger.
He thought it over, stroking his
chin. "All right" he said at last.
"Mattingly viii row you out"
Bonniger spoke quietly to the
constable and went into the store
TO receive the reports that had
come in during his absence.
The Threat To Janet
LIS words in the ear OF Mating
A. ly smootheo the way for
Neill. The constable rowed him
out to the yacht, and he and his
mate remained on deck while Neill
descended the fo'c'sle hatch.
Ira Buckless was sitting on a sea-
mans chest in the half-dark and
sitting forepeak. He looked up
eagerly as NeiIl started down the
ladder, and the light from the
hatch fell full on his fiat and bru-
talized face with its ugly grin.
SO you come ne said.
How did you get word to nle9n
when / heard you went to
town gotany lawyer to telephnne
Brager. / didn't want you TO do
anything foolish until you seen,
me"
''well, what do goa want2p &
BuckleSS scowled, THAT cop
guy viii be listening on deck. Sit
here beside me, and keep your
voice low"
This was the man who had tried
20 kill him two nights before, but
Neil wasn't going 10 refuse a dare
from him. He had his gun in his
pocket. He sat down beside him.
Said Buckles with q hard grin:
II only have % say one word
and they could 90 get the girl.
Room 2l2 on the Lincoln"
Nell said nothing.
If ] had said that word last
night, she would be locked up now
instead Of me-"
why didn't you9p
i can still do 1t. But frst-oR
wanted 20 see you"
well, I'm open for an offer.n
Buckles hesitated.
Neills with the object Of putting
him &C his ease. said as one crook
TO another, Look, how did you ret
on 20 me 50 quick, anyhow
That's easy" said Buckles.
~All day Tuesday I was trailing
you around Baltimore BY Fam
nings orders. When I seen you get
on the bus for Absalom'S, / let you
90, because ] didn't know then that
the boss was st Absalom'S I