The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-12-20
.I59233if,l: Mon
by Frances Shelley Wees

| come in. Tuck was obviously re-
lieved when he did come in and sit
down beside them. Bunny, sitting
| IN the big armchair under a read.
ing lamp, shut her magazine and
Iput it on the table She looked at
Tuck. Tuck nodded her head
Michael" Bunny said quietly,
you're going about this mystery
| business IN your own way, aren't
fyou?"
my own way, Bunny?"
| Eyes. Telling about half what
you think. Keeping the most inn
| portant things to yourself. Getting
a grip on the whole thing and say
ing very little about it. But want
to know something. Will you tell
me?" 49,.
Michael considered. "G1ad to, If
I know the answer"
THANK you. Now-is that letter
from Chicago a fake or is it not?"
Il don't know. The Commission
er is tracing it. He's written a let
ter to Police Headquarters there.
We ought to know in a few days"
Yes. I thought so. And the ,ogi-
cal next question is why do you
think it's fake? Because of all this
suspicioning around, or have you
any proof that. DR.. Murchison ;.
might have been murdered? Real
proof"
Michael thought that over care
fully. He decided. He told them
about Higgins, the roekeries, the
watch. ut is Edgar Murchison's
watch" he said. "There isn't the
slightest doubt. It was Edgsr MUIR
chison's hat that someone left at
McBain's the night he disappeared.
Who? Why, I don't know. But
taken all together, ! doubt if a man
would go off and leave his hat, his
watch, and fifty thousand dollars
worth of diamonds, to say nothing
of his wife -. voluntarily"
Charming Person
II SEE" Bunny put the tips of her
L long graceful fingers together
and contemplated them carefully.
Tuck got up from her chair, went
over to Michael's, sat on his knee,
pulled her feet up off the dark floor
and put both hands under the edge
OF his coat. She put her head on his
shoulder. She was safe.
why, Bunny?"
well I might as well tell you
this. It's just that ."she was hav-
ing little trouble with her words.
ITS just that I'm afraid you'll
be suspecting Duncan Murchison
as well as the rest of them. and I
wanted you to know that Tve been
out walking with him several
times lately. He isn't trying TO
pump me or get information from
me, and I don't think he has any ul-
terror motive in asking me. I'm
going because want to 60. / find
him charming person. like him
very much. He ism: a bit sulky and
rude when the DEVICES or Mrs. Muir
Gibson aren't around" She paused.
Michael was stroking Tuck's hair
gently. II wanted you to under
stand" Bunny said at last.
Thank you, Bunny. Were you,
by any chance, with him this after
nool?"
ST was"
Between what hours?"
"He came shortly after three,
and he left about half past FIVE"
Michael stirred restlessly. Tuck
shifted her position to one less like
ly to precipitate her on the floor.
why, Michael?"
There's something / want you
to understand too" he said slowly.
81 can't count Duncan out because
he's charming person. ! liked him
too. He's fine outstanding sort Of
young chap. Everybody has good
word for him. But, as dad says, this
is queer unlikely sort of business
we're engaged in, and I've got to
follow where the track leads, Bun
ny. Likes and dislikes don't count
so much in an affair like this.
haven't got thing against young
Murchison yet. Not a thing. But il
! do get the end of a string leading
his way, I've got to follow it. Per-
sonal considerations cant be
counted when it's murder, Bunny"
She flushed. 'No," she said quiet
ly. Il just didn't want you to think
I was trying to gut anything over
on you. ] want you to have the
facts. have the utmost confidence
in your judgment and common
sense"
II wish his tongue were looser,"
Tuck said wistfulIy. She put her
hand up and patted Michaeps face.
The telephone shrilled suddenly.
Michael lifted Tuck, and dropped
her u1ceremoniously to the couch,
and made one leap Cor the receiver.
"Hello?" he said. Then
eyes, yes. Forester speaking"
"It's not, eh? Positive?"
There was pause.
IT see."
"Yes. Thanks"
He turned back..It's Jethro," he
said, "He says there isn't a trace of
poison on that meat. He's tested
it for everything. He says he'll
swear to that"
Both girls looked up at him.
"Then what killed the dog. Mi
chael?"
He shook his head. ST don't
know" he said.
But he did not tell them all that
Jethro had said. He emphasized the
fact that there was no poison on the
meat, no poison Of any kind. Not
a trace. And then he had said, But
| it's some strange and damnable
business, Forester: for after I'd
tested L. and MAIDS sure there was
no poison on il I gave the merest
scrap Of 1t to my cat. and IL dropped
dead at my feet"
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