The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-12-28

a DAM continued to question
Annie. NM
Anne Carewe had looked to him
like a girl in trouble. AS good
friend of Anne's mother-as al
most a relative-did she know
why?
Rage shook the little body sud-
denly. Venom cleaned in the
murky eyes. Frying, and into the
secrets of the dead, was he? He
could be better employed. And as
for asking her. he might as we'll
ask the man in the moon. She'd
be likely to hear of it, now
wouldn't she? She-the colonel's
maid of all work.
Adam begged her pardon most
humbly. His chagrin was so touch
ing that she Gained a little. But
if there had been anything else he
wanted to ask her the outburst
J had driven it from his mind.
ssrShe took her own departure. not
waiting to be dismissed.
She rose. "I'll be leaving you,
she said and suited the action to
the words. There was a pathetic
dignity to the little figure in its
nusty black as she disappeared
from the room.
Adam rather avoided my eye
and his manner did not encourage
comment. | watched him pace the
floor a couple of turns. then swing
rather abruptly to the telephone.
He inquired first about his call to
the Omaha bank president, then
asked for the hospital.
Better" he told me after he
had hung up. Still hopeful. feel
like heel not to tell some of these
people. But how can y u know who
you're talking to?" He sighed. Pm
afraid the banker is out-for the
week end"
He lifted the receiver again. an.
nounced that he would be at the
Officers Club until further notice
and hung up.
"And now for Charlie"
There was a rather determined
grin on his face, like comedian
with the toothache. The grin froze
there suddenly, exposing all his
teeth as though in some horrid
muscular spasm. 1t was as much
the sight OF him as the sound of
Lou Orpington's screaming that
sent little icy rivulets flowing
down my back and along my arms
to the tips of my fingers. g.
Adam was suddenly gone
bounding away niles ahead OF me
! ran. calling shamelessly after
him TO wait. but of course he didn't
hear me.
She couldn't be badly hurt. ]
decided dispsssionately. for only
a well woman could 90 on scream.
ing like that
They were in the kitchen-Lou
Barney. the Shaws. Mrs. Flower
The room seemed to be full Of
them. ! dashed in pell nell, aware
that Annie and Elizabeth were
coming behind me. And then !
halted. arrested by their complete
stiffness. their silence. They ere
Just locking at something on the
floor. something pale and sticky
drenched in messy. opaque fluid
that was forming puddle around
II.
at was in the freezer-in the
ice cream" Lou was explaining in
a high-pitched, hySterical voice
II was going to taste it'll almost
did-then ! felt something with
the ladle and fished II out"
"A knife. Or was il a digger?
Adam was bending down. not
touching it.
Malay Kris
hid you have your hands on
Oit?" he asked. -
a1-why. yes. on the handle"
H"No prints anyway. I'm afraid
Nbt now" 81
Elizabeth said. @Let me ssee, :"
softly behind me.
l stepped aside and watched
her turn an unearthly shade OF
green as her eyes rested on the
weapon.
mo. won't faint" she said,
shaking off someone's hand. "Fm
all right You--you've recognized
It. Of course?"
She did not seem to be speaking
to anyone in particula but
Adam. bright eyed. noncommittal.
glanced up and said. do your"
Yes" she said bravely. yes
It's Fathers Malay kris"
The thing that bothered me the
most about that knife was that the
questioning would start all over
again. Had they missed itf How
long since Annie had last busted
il? Who had been in the h.,,,--