The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-10-11
Chapter 81
Trouble On The Yacht

AIOuDAc ON AAC AdCAt
THE search of the four ships was
4 completed about midnight, and
Bonniger grinly conceded defeat.
That he waS not satisfied became
clear when he left six deputies be-
hind him to cooperate with Bick-
ELS men in watching the decks
until morning. The rest of the
party started for the skiffs.
KetteFing as usual was at hand
TO put in his oar. There's always
some darn fool who raises an
alarm" he said. THAT guy was see
ing things at nightlp
Bopniger disregarded this.
So'Jaiet'had Been saved But for
how long? Neill couldn't afford to
relax at al. 1He9sud denly realized
he was pretty nearly dead beat.
Thepe WasSa rnon1epp when he
and Kettering stood together on
the platform at the foot of the lad
der waiting tdr get lIa d skifE Ket-
tering saidssoftlYsTq -fes
"Congratulatiohs, Wheatleyl ]
don't know just how you worked
~ D4t ~ was tlCdts
Neill said: You're talking in
riddles tonight, Mr.. Kettering."
Don't be afraid,s he laughed.
SIM not going to give you away"
Neill was not so sure of that.
They got IL the skif.
Back IN the village, Bonniger
asked Neil into his room to have
drink before turning in.
Bonniger had one of the better
rooms on the second floor of the
hotel. He threw off his coat and
vest and went to the window with
a Wool" of satisfaction. Bonni-
gers stern air, Neill had learned,
was only to warn of fools and
bores. When you were alone with
him. if he liked you. he could be-
come very human.
Grand air down on this point"
he ssid. Grand for sleepingl"
''You don't let anything get
under your skin, said Neill en-
viously.
Life is too short for that" said
Bonniger. II was drafted for this
work. I'm doing my best with what
poor wits the Lord gave me, and
when I meet with q trifling setback
I'm not going to let it cast me
down. This case is a fascinating
problem. I have all the lines in
my hand. / shan't fail to land my
FISH"
The Beer Isn't Drunk
no you still think there is some
~ body on the ships?" asked
NELL offhandedly.
IF there is, it's a good place for
them to be-" said Bonniger with a
dry smile. Il can put my hands on
them easily"
This had the effect of a challenge
TO Neill. Oh, ! don't tinowl he
thought. He said nothing,
Bonniger looked at him full.
you seem pretty we'll tuckered
out. he said. You shouldn't take
all this so hard"
Neill wished that he wouldn't
sound the friendly note. He was
getting to like the man too much.
"Oh, IL isn't the case, he said light
~. That's a welcome distraction.
-. I've got private troubles.
NELL offhandedly
Woman trouble, ] reckon. Al
ways is at your age"
We'll =. yes, said Neill with a
wry smih.
Lord I have known what that
was in my time.s said Bcnniger
smiling. Tim thankful it's ever.
Really man gets the best out Of.
women after he Has passed AS. I'll
may not be iiattering, but they
have confidence in YOU ihens they
open their dear little hearts to you.
have three riecks up TIM county
who keep me young. You must
come up and meet them when this
Is over"
Thanks said Neill. shut my
hands ere pretty full in that line"
'Well. anyhow let's order ur
some beer and drink TO them"
THAT would be fine.
However. the beer was not des-
tined 70 be drunk.
Forsythe had Just been sent of
10 the yacht TO relieve Constable
Mattingly who had been on guard
since six. Suddenly through the
window they heard Forsythe's
deep voice hailing the shore.
@doi Sergeant Wilson!"
Wilson answered from the store
next door. sHello2"
Come out here, sir, and bring
Mr.. Bonniger."
"All right"
The Yacht Guard Gone
INSTANTLY Bonniger was the
i stern public officer again. He
snatehed up his coat and he and
Neil ran downstairs. They met
Wilson coming from the store.
Some Of the villagers had been
aroused BY the conStable's hail.
and heads were sticking ont If '',~