The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-02
Chapter 4e
Iset Nv Trap


7 CHECKED them off on my fingers.
lGay, Michael, M. Harrington, VIII
liam, Annie and-yes, and Cook. III
as she was, Cook could have crossed
that hall, fired, pushed the old man
over on the bed, placed the gun In his
hand and beat a hasty retreat. Any
one Of them could. And all my efforts
az cross-examination only led to lies
and defiance. They were shielding
either themselves or someone else
every one Of them.
] wanted trap--a trap that no
alibi could spring. And ! wanted 1t
before they all collected for break
fast and the murderer had chance
70 suspect that his plan had not
worked.
There was only one question on
which any trap could hinge - the
reason for the presence Of the revolt
yer in Higgins right hand. It could
have been put there because the MUIR
derer was ignorant Of the fact that
Il should have been In the left hand,
because the murderer forgot In his
excitement, or because the murderer
desired to throw suspicion on some-
one else. They all seemed good possi-
bilities. The choice depended entire
" upon the identity Of the culprit.
OF all the people in the house, Gay
was the only person who could have
done It out Of ignorance. She was also
the one person in the house against
whom there had been not one shred
Of evidence at any time. She was ifn-
pulsive and hotheaGed. The murderer
might or might not be either.
The murderer certainly was cold,
logical and capable Of swift action.
Ia crisis Gay was all Of those things.
i was possible that her rows with
Michael had been a safety valve for
more nerve strain than we had real
lied. Yes, Gay was capable Of those
murders, but ] could not even re-
moteiy guess at reason behind them.
Michael on the other hand, cer-
tainly knew all Of Higgins charae-
teristics. II Michael had placed that
gun In the buffers right hand, he had
done II because he lost his head. And
Michael in such a situation would
be quite apt to lose his head.
His aunt. on the contrary, would
be very cool. And NJ. Harrington did
not like Gay. could not help feeling
that il d. harrington were ever
aroused to the point Of committing
a murder, she would not hesitate to
cast suspicion on any luckless soul
who had incurred her dislike.
Il seemed as though both Cook and
Annie would have lost their heads in
such q situation. But WiIlism would
be cool as Ice. But. without excep-
lon, every one OF them knew that
Higgins vas left-handed.
sought q trap that would hinRe
around those characteristics as / saw
them and around the peculiar cir
cumstances lin which the body was
found. The sight Of the body was not
much help. covered Il.
Then started methodieally and
worked my way from the bed around
the room. under the rug. under the
bed. through the pltifqlly few possess
sions in the dresser and wardrobe.
Not many spoils to show for 70-odd
years Of hard work. For my purpose,
nothing 10 show at all.
II was q quarter Of seven. At any
time now The roundup for breakfast
was apt 70 start and something told
me that must question the suspects
individually OF give up the whole at
tempt. nopelessly stared at that
room. trying 70 wiring its secret from
Il Atrapl must spring trap-now,
And my mind was q blank.
stared down at the figure on the
bed and TIE idea came. Three strides
took me into fhe hall. Conclusive
proof e. Otherwise. | knew what /
was going b DO.
Panic SEXES Gay
ALL the way to Gays door was
4 a thinking Of only one possibility.
What e she wasn't there? But she
must bal
Come inls called q cheerful voice.
~oh--hello. jim. was lust going to
start down. Why-what's the mat
terri"
] put . ilnger 10 my lips. aShhhhl"
! aaid hoarsely. ~D0nt let The Others
hear yea. Come quickly"
She gave me enc awful lock and
TIE brush ID her hand Cell catering