The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-06-25

VIVA OA NAcSA EAAAOsoEs kAA4O0 Las SAANAa
Hanson's attention was distracted
by the mob up in the village. And
there wasn't a much safer place
for her. The Octagon House had
already been searched. And some
one had already tried to have the
ambergris pointed out to him BY
the barn burning.
And it would, Asey thought feel
ingly. be a relief to find out where
that COMPOUNDED ambergris was
anyway. and to take steps about
disposing of it.
Well" Tim said, perhaps you
ere convinced about Pam. I'm not
You know. they seem reasonably
worked up, whoever's bowling
there in the house"
Asey chuckled. doc Cum
mings," he said. That's his extra
de luxe below, for special occa-
sions of what he calls profound
irritation. He's goin' to be so
speechless with rage that he can't
talk. That is. not more'n three hum
dred words a minute. / wonder
who he's mad at
ASey walked over to the doctors
old sedan, and played tune on
the aSthmatic horn. Cummings"
he said. will be out directly"
The doctors stocky figure
bounded out of the house.
WELL" he said. "it's about timei
Where have you been? | never twas
so furious in all my life. Never so
thoroughly-Where have you been.
man? It's disgusting" he went on,
without giving Asey a chance to
answer, "it's revolving, It's doing
things to my stomach. You know
who's in there. waiting for you?
Roddy's uncle. the feeble minded
toad! That's Just what he looks
like, a feeble minded toad, and
that's just the way he thinks. In
brief hops. In brief, aimless and
undirected hops. He"
Whats he want me for?" Asey
asked.
"Roddy," Cummings said in
tones of great restraint. "Roddy's
being menaced."
Asey CLICKED his tongue. who
is menacing him?"
"Oh. they don't know, but they
want you to save Roddy's little
skin. Brought the Strut check
books with him. and for all know.
the best gold tea set as an added
incentive. Asey. if you sully your
hands with that toad and that slug
of a nephew of his-that spot of
mildewl If you sully your hands
with EN-, I'll never speak to you
again.'
Asey grinned. "Send the toad
out--no, wait. I'll 60 in"
Pink And Puffy
GARVETH STRUT did look like
- a toad, Asey thought as he
entered the kitchen behind the
doctor. Carveth was also dead
ringer for the sick capitalist up in
the post office mural. Bloated and
pink and puffy.
MY nephew" he informed Asey
excitedly. sis being menacedl It's
his legacy. His grandmothcr's leg
acy. He's just got it this week. and
now he's being menaced!"
He is. is hep Asey said. LAST
] heard of Roddy. he was gambolin'
with the mob up town. Kind of
sudden. this menace. amt it?"
He's kept it a secret till just
now. You must helpl" Carveth
squeaked. you must, you must!"
Where's Roddy now?"
Home" DR.. Cummings an
swered before Carveth could.
Home. with Filipinos on either
side of him, all heavily armed.
They are taking every precaution.
every single precaution.
How long you been here,
Strutt?" ASey asked.
Fifteen or 20 minutes. See here,
you've got to come and"
Il thought so" Asey said.
"Roddy probably figgers this is
swift BIT of brain work. Only il
amt. If he's bein' menaced. then
of course he can't be menacin'"
Roddy is in danger of his lifai",
Carveth said. I'VE mustshave YOUR
aid. We are prepared to pay
Specifically" Asey said. whit
IS the danger? Who's the menace3
A man prowling around yestef-
day. Carveth said. pretending TO
be a workman. Asking questions.
And then today-why. the poor
boys out of his mind with fearl"
Yeah. ASey said. Now, YOU
run along home an you tell Roddy
that I'll be over to see him later.
Then he'll learn Just what men,
acin' IS. Got THAR"
Cummings smiled as Strut left.
Asey noticed a cashmere sweat
er casually tossed over a chair
back. That was the sweater he had
bought as a present for Betsey Por-
ter. the sweater he had given TO
Pam the night before. And il was
a very clever way Of letting him
know that she had come home.
where's Aarongr Cummings
asked.
~Aaron?" Asey stared at him.
Amt he here? Didn't he come
back with the ;rooperS3"
Cummings let out a shrill ycll.
Haven't YOU got him? Isn't he
with you2 Aren't those troopers
with your"
ASey shook his head.
Good gosh" Cummings said,
where are theyg@
feeswttAt. 1855 EkgSas Ss3eea gsy4erI