The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-09-29

Chapter q
Posing For Cess

EVENING found Us on the Carl
- ton terrace. shaking hands with
Nr Virgoe Wills.
He was alone, a fact on which he
commented as soon as he had set
tied Us with our drinks. 81 surely
can't think what's keeping Ottilie."
he observed. Half past four she
went out, and two hours is certain
" long enough 20 get your picture
made, when is only a sketch. "
Hugo stiffened in his chair. Pic
ture?" he echoed sharply. and the
old man nodded
This Mr.. Cess was all set on
making picture of Ottilie: moth
ing would suit him but that she
should sit for hin"
do you mean" asked II u 2
slowly, that Miss Wills b-5 gone
alone TO Cess S yllla?"
The old man raised his eye
brOWs rs there any reason" he
ask d quietly, why my niece
S4A0AAA A4OL ~ dtO4IG W Lti4o t44A4
vidual'S studio?"
Every reason in the world"
Hugo answered bluntly. And |
know Cess"
Vlrgoe Wills froWned, pursuing
his lips. shes certainly late ne
admitted, but she's not alone
CasSandra Chubb is with her, and
CasSandTa. gentlemen, is a woman
in million. She was nurse to my
nieces as little girls
That's all right, then" | said.
considerably relieved. but Hugo
still frowned.
Il don't want Il dis arb you an
duly, sir" he said, but have your
permission TO 20 round 10 the villa
and bring your niece back?'
A second time the old man
raised his eyeb- ovs; then slowly
he nodded.
Il don't entirely grasp the cause
Of your concern for my niece but
! believe in the disinterestedncSS
Of your motives. Go by all means "
Hugo got TO his feet, and tOgeth-
er We made our way toward the
rue du Dragon.
Dusk was falling. and the little
street. close-folded in its edging Of
trees. was dim and Swallowed AS
we halted before ile iron gate Of
number 81. ! was conscious Of a
gOose-fesh sensation no NV spine
coupled with q shlter that ran
over me Ike a cold wave There
was something sinister In the very
quiet If the scene, so still, 50 silent
and yet so near the very heart and
NIB If the town. and when the
pcep-hole shutter slid aside at our
ring and ! saw the pale face Of the
ruanserVant surveying lis through
n Il seemed to Inc that he was the
very incarnation OF evil
lie started perceptibly as ne rec
o@nizcd US Monsieur does not re-
Ceiye. he said hurriedlY, before
ever we had time TO pat a question.
and 30 shutter was closed
w stood there in the deserted
~ i staring at each other What
~ io couldn't imagine
Quiet AS A Graveyard
4 ND then. just as hope died
- came 3 most welcome inter
TIptlon On the other side Of the
g4fe there broke out what sound
e1 slngularlv Ike a d0g-hght: |
heard a chatter Of angry voices
something that h o q like a
hearty sldD. and next moment the
door itself flew open and there
slowed in the aperture q small
stodt. irate woman
Are you from MIR WINS" she
demanded. and when We nodded
Praise be-" she commented pl-
ouslv. adding sharply: We'll step
in Don't stand mOoning"
We followed m e k lv az her
heels. past the manServant. stand
ing aside. pale and malevolent
ard Ut the glaSs-rOofcd passage to
tie house. The hall lay before us
q dim. gracious place cf pearl
gray paneljng and silver marble
floor. bat Il was almost menac,0e-
is empty. ard as we entered. Hugo
swung round on the woman
Where IA She9" he demanded
She had been Struttlng before US
Ike a small bclligerent turkcv-
cock. bat AZ his words all her as
sara0ce dropped from her
In t3crc she said pointing
IA a stubbN. rcMb'0g fO.cfiD-
ger 70 2 closed door on our right
That's the studio They went N
taere Two hours back and Otthe
sad 70 Wa,t FOR hey bu: when |
saw Z WAS getting late ard rapDcd
Co re door there was M answer.
ard when ;r.cd the handle. = WAS
locked Hcr Up trcmoied sudden
IS There's not q sound from IN
e she sad Us as quiet as 4
graveyard
II two strides Hugo WAS beside
tse door. He Knocked sharply lis
.ere3 f,r a moment then called.
Is aryane tnere@' Bat there vas
3 answering call. ana WIZ t,C":-
e~e5 rs he turned 20 me "No0
ser7 u tnev - :hevc she's u0Ccn-
s. cas- NJ one answers
on. Heaven said CSsssr3va
C-ubb with = S.rsngleo sob, ana
..e1. On sudden gaze * fury: Il
there's something Wr>Dg-.t that
Er1ver -~-sge has LAID finger Q"
hsr
Al r.gh;- said. giving her
saa 4.3sr a comforting pat = any
~ .re's happened. Mr. Gels Will
Re adequately attended 20 and
yc1N have e-st Sr0..'k AZ MIN J