The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-09-15

.
gotten water. He looked along the
village front. It would not be too
easy for a stranger to obtain wa
ter. If he went to somebody's well
it would lead to awkward ques-
tons. And he had nothing to car
ry water in.
The main and only road into the
village came down along the river
shore before striking across the
neck to the harbor in front OF
Longcope's. Midway along this
road he distinguished the lighted
front of store. One could always
buy something to drink. In front
of the store the usual little pier
ran out into the river. The water
was shallower on this side and it
was a long pier. Janet could re-
main hidden in the dark at the
end of it.
He hesitated. There vas terri
BILE risk in landing now. If he were
seen, he would be remembered.
However, it had to be taken. He
roWed in and tied the skiff to the
end of the pier.
"Whats this for?" she asked
nervously.
'I'm going to get water for you"
mo, no. / don't want water"
"We've got to have water"
"Can't / come with your"
"Your dress would attract too
much attention"
"Ah, don't be long," she said
with a catch in her breath.
He walked in over the creaking
planks, climbed the bank, crossed
the road, and entered the store. It
was a much smaller and tidier
store than Longcope's and bust
ness was not so good. The little
old man who kept it was grateful
to the unlocked for customer.
Neill bought two bottles of carbo-
mated water.
On his way out Of the store
sedan coming from the direction
of town passed rapidly and slid to
a quick stop a short distance be-
yond. Neill had an uncomfortable
feeling that this stop was in some
way connected with himself.
Somebody was looking out of the
back window, the face merely .
grayish blur through the glass.
There was nothing he could do
about it. He fastened down the
bank and out over the pier. Janet
let out a shaking breath Of relief
at the sight of him. The car went
on and turned the corner. Present.
~ a car came back, but Neill
couldn't tell if it was the same
one.
Who Could It Be?
THEY went on, and finally
! passed the last houses of the
village. Now there was dark field
between the road and the river.
Neill had rcwed upwards of two
miles, but he was still only some
hundreds of yards from the yacht
across the neck of land. Suddenly
from the dark shore light flashed
out over the water and searched
the river up and down. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY a strong electric torch held
in somebody's hand.
Neill pulled the skiff's head
around and rowed further out into
the river. He couldn't be sure
whether the light had picked them
up, and nasty anxiety attacked
him. Why should anybody stand
on the shore casting his light over
the water unless he were looking
for them? And who could be look
ing for them? Who could guess
that they were about to pass that
spot? The light went out, and
nothing came of it then. but Neill'S
anxiety remained.
He rowed on, keeping about a
furlong off shore. The opposite
shore was invisible in the dark.
Here and there at long distances a
dim light showed in the window Of
farmhouse, and up river the red
light Of a gas buoy twinkled off
and on, marking some shoal. With
every pull of Neilps oars. two lit
tie eddies of phosphorescence
Swirled aStern. A soft breeze from
the south sprang up.
Janet exclaimed: What's that?"
Looking over his shoulder, Neill
saw the masts and the tunnels of
the four great ships Using against
the stars. THE German ships
turned over to us after the war are
moored here" he said. I
Who would expect to find them
here" she murmured.
Neill thought it over. II was q
desperate chance to take, but any
way you looked at it their situa-
ton was desperate. III there were
only four men aboard, ii was not
enough to keep a close watch at
night In one of the cabins below
he could make Janet comfortable.
Where could he hope to find bet
ter hiding place?
Jen. he said, what would you
say to going aboard one of the
empty ships TO hide until we can
decide what's best to be done?
Would you be afraid?"
mot il you were with me.
Neill."
He pulled up to the outermoSt
ship. Her smooth steel side rose
towering over their heads like a
cliff. ghoStly and awe-inspiring in
the night. No sound came from
aboard her.
How could we get on?" whis-
pered Janet
That's just the question" said
Neill with a brief laugh.
(cstyvtE1s. 1852. ~ Es2ssrs FssA~sxI
Nesll finds = watchman on ne dark
ships. tomorrow.