The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-12-28
THE ARMY POST MURDERS
- Rv VIRGIN ia Hanson :


have put it in the ice-cream freez-
er, and when?
I had hard work to keep from
putting my hands over my ears
while Adam went dutifully about
his job, looking as if he'd be glad
to hand it over to anyone who
wanted it. paid as little attention
as I could, and I didn't miss much.
There wasn't much to miss.
Annie, either conveniently or
otherwise, was unable to recall
when she had last seen the kris.
It hung on the wall of the coloneps
study, and she didn't try to dust
all the knickknacks every day
she'd enough to do without that.
She cast a cold glance at the knick-
knack at her feet and opined that
! it might have been gone for
week, she wouldn't know.
Elizabeth was equally vague,
Her father might know when he
came-which would be only few
hours now.
The opportunity for its conceal
ment promised more, but came to
nothing. At FIRST glance only Bar
ney, Annie and Elizabeth had been
In the kitchen since the short
sword had been used. Then Mrs.
Orpington reminded US not to for
get dear Miss Cornish, and Adam
remembered somewhat disingenu-
ously that he too. had been in the
kitchen. and Barney pointed out
that Shaw had gone there to sum-
mon Annie and Elizabeth.
Mary Shaw. Lou Orpington and
Mrs. Flower had followed Barney
and Shaw to forage for food, and
it was Mrs. Flower who remarked
pleasantly that either of them
might have hidden the knife else
where backstage only TO retrieve
it and insert. it in the free7 r while
no one was looking.
Though why Lou should call
attention to tit she hid it. ! can't
imagine" she added naively. "Un-
less II was all part of Plan"
Lou. recovered from her hyster-
les, remarked acidly that the
kitchen had been vacant for some
time and that il was not without
the realms of possibility that some
one from, outside might have
stolen in by the stage entrance.
concealed the knife and gone away
unseen. She would mention no
names. she said, but her glance just
fiicked me maliciously in passing.
Was. she limiting at good team
work on the part Of Charlie and
me?
Demoralized
MRS. FLOWER pointed out
WI equally that it would seem
much simpler just to conceal the
kris somewhere outdoors; and this
incontestable point went unan-
SWered.
My opinion of Mrs. Flowers in.
telligence had undergone radical
changes during the past few hours.
Like the plain warp backing bril-
liantly patterned rug, strong
thread of common sense underlay
much of her highly colered con-
versation. What was she really
thinking?
Abruptly Adam dismissed us,
He shooed US out of the room like
a flock of chickens and shut the
door. remaining inside. When he
came out. locking the rom and
pocketing the key. we were still
huddled in the narrow corridor
that led to the door beside the
stage.
don't know why we chung to-
gether so desperately: there was
no more reason to believe that we
were banded against an outside
threat than that the threat was
within the group-less reason, in
fact. But some of us, at least. were
thoroughly demoralized.
The building echoed holloway as
we crossed the empty dance floor.
| glanced up fearfully tow ard the
balcony. There was a light burn
ing somewhere up there, and
something moved against it. |
caught my breath and leaned
weakly against one of the narrow
pillars.
TITS all right" Adam murmured
quickly. He waited until the others
were out of earShot, his hand
steady and comforting on my
arm. Il put two men on guard up
there. Doc came while you women
were In the dressing room, and we
decided to leave the body here for
the present. She-she was killed
instantly - straight through the
heart"
Ishivered ITS all right to leave
then?p
.Yes. There's no use staying
on"
Bleak and forbidden, the big
room had withdrawn from festiv-
ity. was waiting for our departure
to summon its ghosts. glanced up
at the crossed swords. the regi-
mental emhlems against the ball
cony railing. Three times violent
death had struck within these
walls. II Anne died there would
be three women in white 10 walk
the corridors.
Let's CO." begged. | clutched
his arm urgently. feeling through
the heavy duck sleeve his pulse
beating. warm. vital. alive against
nv finger tips.
He looked at me for a minute
with an odd hall smile on his lies.
Then. Right" he said cheerfuliy.
fcopvri0At 1858. v#0taIa HaRsonJ
Tomorrow: Visiting Charlie.