The Key West citizen., 1938-12-16
THE ARMY POST MURDERS


Ethel Curtis, Hillside Sanitariun,
A., Illinois. The single sheet Of
paper was typewriter and un-
signed, and began without saluta-
ton:
Come u you must. but don't try to
telephone me or see me. You otre me
that much, at least. Go straight TO the
Service Club: you can't miss It, its O
trhite frame building. Walk tn-the
tUonlan's room Is on the left. There's
stairway to the upper floor. Choose
room they're all pacdnt-dnd Wdit
there until come. IL may not be until
late Friday Right-theTeTl be dance.
Better take some sandwiches; / don't
Cant you wondering around the post.
Keep under cover or you'll trish you
had!
"Then someone knows she's
here" | said stupidity. "One Of
those-down there?"
Probably. But not necessarily
the murderer.
Then why the secrecy?"
His smile was vaguely reassur-
ing.
Let your creative imagination
60 to work on that. I'd say the pos
sibilities are numerous"
"Doc Moore thinks she-it may
have been epilepsy"
Adams blue eyes sparkled in
the semidarknesS. There's one Of
your answers" he said.
was still thinking about that
when the door of her room opened
and the young doctor beckoned to
Adam.
Their lpw-voiced murmur went
on for some time on the other side
of the door. Presently Adam ap-
peared, looking intensely excited,
and drew me into the dimly lighted
room.
Oddly Familiar
THE blinds had been closely
drawn to prevent any telltale
glimmer escaping to the street. The
furnishings were cold and bare
looking, but clean-a cheap chest
Of drawers, painted white, sur
mounted by small, wavy mirror;
bedside table, one chair, which
held an open suitcase and the girls
discarded clothing: and the white
iron bed, single size, ornamented
with the insignia of the Quarter
master Corps.
She was lying very still, breath
ing heavily, in deep sleep.
"As Doc suspected, it was con-
vulsion," Adam explained in low,
hurried voice. sShe should sleep
for while. In the meantime Doc
is needed back at the hospital
tell her what you told me about
Captain Moore looked apollo
getic. u would have told you all
awhile ago. but Adam gave me in-
structions when we found she was
still breathing. There's a chance
in a hundred that we can save
her"
Anne? You mean she's alive?"
by the best of luck the bullet
missed the heart and the other vital
organs: but there was internal
bleeding. We had to explore, tie
of-she was still alive when | left
her, but I'll have to go right back.
Unfortunately I'm alone for the
week end. The surgeon Is in Chi
cago. s. There'll have to be blood
transfusionS: all of the orderlies
have volunteered and they're test
ing the blood group now"
y want this kept quiet, at least
until | can get on with the investi-
cation" Adam interposed hurried
ly. at may be for her protection
] don't know: anyway. that's the
feeling I've got"
"This girl, here-I can't take her
to the hospital Doc Moore went
on apologetically. Were not
equipped to take care Of women
no nurses, no ward. And there's no
other hospital in twenty miles.
I've got Anne in the officers ward,
which was fortunately empty, and
I've telephoned for a nurse: but |
wouldn't dare put this girl in with
her"
Il see; you want me to stay here
with her until she wakes up. All
right"
They both looked inexpressibly
relieved.
"I'll be right at the foot of the
stairs. in the reading Foom," Adam
said consolingly. I've got to get
these peoples stories and let them
90 home"
She'll be quite all right" the
doctor assured me. "Just make her
stay in bed"
Ikept on telling him that didn't
mind the assignment, and finally
they bowed themselves out. Adam
stuck his head back in long enough
to tell me that when she woke Up
/ was to call him. / could come TO
the foot OF the stairs and wiggle
the curtains and he would know
| wanted him.
Then the door closed and the
room began TO fill with the girls
heavy breathing.
l found | was still holding the
letter Adam had shown me. ]
moved the suitcase TO the floor.
that it was new and near
ly empty, and sat on the hard
straight chair under the light Of
the single wall bracket that f1anked
the chest Of drawers.
Once more read the typewrit-
ten note, but midway lost the
sense Of the words. arrested by an
oddly familiar idiosyncrasy OF one