The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-12-30
Chapter 26
Smoldcring Fire


CHARLES face was study in
the less gracious expressions.
"What are you talking about?" he
growIed.
I'm working up. in y own in
imitable fashion. to the fact that
there has been another murder
and that. thanks TO Captain Flow
sr, you're clear of it," Adam said.
They had evidently not heard
OF it. / sat in one of the concave
chairs and smoked cigarette
while he told them.
The situation at last clear to his
still fuddled brain, Charlie, much
debated, was making his grace
less apologies to Captain Flower
when Barney stood up.
Sorry he muttered. Guess
I'd better turn in" And without
a good night he turned and STUN
bled down the hall.
Little Captain Flower sprang to
follow him.
"Pll see to him." he told Adam.
Can you manage? I'd better
help"
Il can n1anag, ;" the little man
threw over his shoulder.
Mrs. Flower turned from her
inspection of the mantel. ''Flower!"
Her piercing stage whisper trav-
eled the length of the intermin-
able corridor and score of faint
er whisp.r. sighed ok f. Jm the
bare. bleak walls.
Don't forget to remind him
about the prizep
well. really. this is turning into
quite night" Mrs. Flower con-
tinued brightly. 81 do hope Gilly
doesn't have one OF his Nightmares,
because while he's very good with
Nurse, there's no one quite like
Mother when little boys are fright
ened in the night"
Her mouth dropped childishly,
but only for a moment, then she
turned to me with anticipation in
her eyes.
you've never seen Gilly. have
your"
Idon't believe she waited for an
answer. Although, deplorab.y, /
had never seen Gilly, still | could
be made acquainted with him, as
it were. by proxy. Certain concrete
properties of Gilly could be made
known to me-his height. his
weight, his age, the color of his
eyes and hair, his taste in cereals.
in vegetables, in Jokes.
Captain Flower returned with
an air OF duty well done and con-
suited in a low voice with Adam
near the door. They too. their de-
parture at last. after prolonged
discussion as to the proprieties.
Adam assured them that he was
on the point of taking me home,
that there was no need for them to
wait.
SHOW. Charlie" said Adam when
the creaking stairs were once
more silent, what do you know
about this?"
As had feared. Charlie was
more than vague. Though he was
plainly making an effort to re-
member. all that emerged was a
memory Of going back to quarters
after dinner and having a couple
of stiff ones. was glad that he
made no attempt to explain or to
justify his actions.
"A Total Blank
7 ATER-but how much later he
- had no way of knowing, nor
where he had been in the mean
time--there was the picture OF
Anne limp on the chaise Tongue
in the dressing room and his GER
tain knowledge that she was dead.
Adam did not enlighten him.
"You remember Kay getting
you into the library?"
Vaguely. he admitted, not
looking up from a penetrating
scrutiny of the worn floor boards.
"And my bringing you back to
Quarters?"
Charlie shook his head.
II tell you the evenings almost
a total blank" He looked up de-
AaNutAys uidy nave Su0b aCEs kOE
all l know. Anne. I mean"
Momentary emotion blurred his
features like breath on q mir
rored reflection. Then he went on
steadily.
The other one--I guess that's
out. If Flowers telling the truth. |
You understand that l don't know
how long he was here.
Adam nodded. "It Would be one
way Of establishing an alibi for /
himself"
"But in that case Charlie would |
still be clear" I said sharply.
Charlie looked az me for almost |
the first time since had entered /
his rooms. He seemed surprised |
and grateful.
That's true" he said hopefully. |
Adam said. How about that |
note?" in detached voice.
~Yes. Charlie, what did you do |
with my old typewriter
] had been looking for IL and II |
was not in sight.
The typewriterG / loaned il to
Ito somebody"