The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-10-06

| CONSCIOUS only that the spinning
world was slowly steadying on its
axis. and little by little ] came to
the realization that was alone in
an empty room, with the paper
spread invitingly before me. and
the pen lying ready to my hand.
For a moment a mad impulse
seized me to give them confession
of another sort: Il. Rene Geiss"
that was how ] woul start. do
hereby confess that ] instigated
the killing of Eve Monet; that ]
myself shot down in cold blood the
American O'Donnell: that per-
sonally instructed the chdsseur to
kill Mr.. Venner."
/ picked up the pen, dipped it
| in the ink, and drew flourish on
the paper.
It was a queer-looking flourish.
uncommonly like the horn of a
goat. and ALMOST without realizing
what was doing ! added second
line and then another and yet an
other: and slowly. as ! drew. found
something growing under my in
experienced fingers.
It was the head of a goat, horned
and bearded. its pebble-like eyes
boring into mine, and those eyes
were the eyes of Rene Cess. And
as | sat there. staring back into
those expressionles eyes, heard
the door open behind me.
! swung round in my chair and
saw the iltge obstruction peering
in at me.
One Little Hintv
LIS eye lighted on the table, and
II Thanked my stars that had
had the forethought to turn the
drawing upside down but at sight
of the pen, the ink, the paper. he
raped out a sudden oath. ''The
| imbecilesi' he muttered. Il will
have their skin for this! Monsieur
Lumsden. this was done by no
order of mine"
He moistened his lips. His face
was pale and drawn and there was
a worried look in his eyes. Mon
sieur Lumsden," he said at last.
you must be aware that every
thing in these two crimes points to
you as the murderer"
nodded II grant you that" ]
said candidly. What them"
He scrutinized me with sharp,
intelligent eyes. "Just this" said
he. Monsieur Lumsden. have
seen many criminals. Every detail
of these two crimes points to you
as the killer-and yet every In
stinct that | have cries out that
you are an innocent man. But my
instincts also tell me that although
you are in no way guilty. you know
a great deal more about these
crimes than you will admit. You
could, If you would. lead me to the
murderer
considered that for a long
minute. Monsieur le Jtge." | said
at last. II appreciate your conf
dence and won't betray it. It's
true, as you say. that ! believe !
know who did the murders. but
have nothing to go on except lot
of wild surmises and crazy imagin-
ings. There isn't a lot of tangible
evidence that | could lay before
you, and until ] have something
concrete to produce, prefer to
hold my tongue. Only. I'll tell you
this: in my opinion, these three
crimes were committed by three
different people. but" broke of
and looked him squarely between
the eyes behind all three Of
them there Is the same man."
And that mani" he asked. but
even as he spoke. there came again
the click Of the opening door and
next minute Fleuriot stood beside
the desk.
II interrupt you9" he queried
,'ryly.
le Jupe and ] have had most in
formative conversation. and ]
think ] am right in saying that he
now acquits me Of completely in
both crimes"
"Famousl" he retorted with q
tinge of irony. Il may say that his
conclusion agrees exactly with my
own--but all the same. Monsieur
Lumsden, | should be glad Of
little further conversation with
you. You will perhaps allow me
TO offer you conveyance in my au-
tomoblle?"
Il should be charmed"
As I made to leave the room the
juqe took quick step round the
desk towards me. Fleuriot was al-
ready out of earshot. and satisfy
Ing himself Of that by a quick.
sideways look. he caught my arm.
THAT man, Monsieur Lumsden.@
he said urgently. "the man az the
pack Of the three crimes-can YOU
not give me an inkline OF whom
you suspect?
shook my head. Not for an
other day or two told him. The
things Too serious to speak OF
lightly"
His grip tightened on my arm.
Zone little hintlr he muttered. and
his voice was almost pleading.
shook my head and he gave q
sharp sigh. hesitatinR. his fingers
towing nervously with the paper
on the desk. And suddenly. as he
stood. saw him flick over the TOD
most sheet His eyes lighted on the
drawing il held and ne started vio-
lently. taking swift backward
step. his Mortified gaze scanning
my face. "Not--" he stammered.
mot he. surely"
There's my confession" | said
slowly. And with that / turned
and left him.
fCopvrseAt. 1855, na= saltmersAV