The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-12-24
Chapter %
Skeleton In The Closet

Skeleton In The Closet
A DAM didn't speak for q minute,
n and saw the dream fade re-
luctantly from his eyes. He shook
his head, as if to rid himself OF it
completely, and when he spoke it
was sadly. wistfully.
There were no pulleys."
A little sigh, like wind In the
cornfields, admitted that we hadn't
really believed it either. 81
at was just an idea," said Mrs,
Flower modestly. pc
/ saw Lou Orpington glance at
her with grudging admiration. For
it was a perfectly beautiful theory
infinitely more satisfactory than
Louis own. In fact ]. wonder II the
murderer, later, didn't suffer pn.
told rage of spirit for not having
thought Of it first. :
The telephone announced itself
again. Adams astonishing legs car
ried him to. the library door in
about three strides. elta
Again that unabashed silence de-
scended upon Us. Again Ineld my
breath to listen and was aware
that others were holding theirs.
But |, for one, could distinguish
none of Adams few words.
He came out presently, looking
dog tired. ..s.,.3.. go
we're spending the night here and
not getting anywhere. We may
as well adjourn, | suppose" He
paused. inspected every face. rs
anyone saving up any little scrap
Of information? Anything ypl'vs
forgotten to rnention?" -
Lou Orpington laughed rather
artificially. .sA i.
81 hesitate to remind anyone"
she said dryly, that was on the
veranda when Anne was shot. |
probably ought to see lawyer be-
fore go sticking my neck any
further into the moose. and don't
know that | can tell you anything
new" -
She hesitated, but we were Civ
ing her rapt attention, and sup.
pose she had to take advantage OF
that. ..
Il heard the shot Eired.N she said
slowly and stopped.
"You thought it was . backhre?"
Adam prompted herr
81 thought IL was a shot; There
was q car passing, but II was no
backhre. I've smelled burnt pow.
der before. - rs "a
where did It seem to- come
from?" he asked eagerly
She shrugged. ."Somewhere but
front I'd Just gone out and |
couldn't see very well. But 4 MN.
ute later somebody darted around
the corner Of the library and Joul
of sight. ! don't know where he'd
been" ~ *,
"He7 A man?" !.
"A man. He was all In white. !"
She paused, building up suspense
"In fact" she drawled, I'm almost
certain II was Charlie Spencer.
There was no use going on With
Il of course. We were deadlutked.
Adam told them they could 70. but
no one seemed TO want TO make
the first move. Mary. Shaw simply
sat, announcing to no one IN par;
ticular that she had no. itfkekitioh.
OF going TO bed until full daylight
That's all right. for yuli YOU
can sleep ell day. But how about
me?" her. husband protested.
Afraid To Go Home 81
CHAW started for the Kitchen,
- turned back and suggested
weakly that Barney might like
some coffee too.
"All of US" said Mary Shaw
irmly. making no move to rise. 81
Barney stumbled after Shaw
obediently. looking as II he were
walking In his sleep. ! noticed that
he was rather white around the
mouth. s
you'd better spend. the rest Of
the night with US, Mrs. Orpington,"
I heard Elizabeth say. you won't
want to be alone. And how about
you. Mrs. Flowerf Did your hus-
band 90 homer
Il really don't know" said that
lady brightly. !.
aArent you the least bit wor.
ried about him7" Lou orpington
asked curiously.
"Worried2 Oh mol Flowers
very clever person, He can take
care Of himself. .
mo. Lou. you come home with
me-" Mary Shaw decided. "Pll be
scared to death when Phil goes TO
duty"
In the midst Of the amiable argu-,
ment Adam strobe Of 20 the Ii
brary. =
wasn't sure whether he wanted
me or not, but remembered con.
cealing my notes under the stair
rug and I followed to find them for
him. $685. -.e-
A. a II.