The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-11-15

IEduQ, saved q IIleuQ ana exposed
a villainy, was sleepless; while
Iris, the lovely fool who If not
actually the cause Of it all was
at least the willing assistant slum-
bered peacefully.
There was little evidence Of
peace in her voice, however, when
she finally answered. Those heart
stirring tones were hoarse and
thickened by weeping. It didn't
need television to prove to Buff
that Iris had cried herself to sleep.
The two girls conversed at some
length: Iris at first resentful, re-
proachful, Buff firm and kind.
The next morning when the
younger girls car drew up in front
of the entrance Iris was waiting
for her, sleepy bellboy stagger-
ing under the weight of her suit
cases.
II suppose I can trust you," Iris
muttered. She had dark circles be-
meath her eyes, and her usual deli
cate makeup was carelesSly APP
piled. II checked out as you told
me but"
"Get inl" Buff held the door
open for her. 81 want to be out of
town before there's danger Of run
ming into anyone we know. Had
your breakfast"
II couldn't eat"
Something in the forlorn state
ment stirred Buff as perhaps moth
ing else Iris could have said. She
took her right hand from the
wheel long enough to lay it re-
assuringly on the other girls.
Don't worry, honey. Leave
everything to me. You're going to
be- be glad lad,t this happened. Honestly
II hope So" whimpered Iris.
Trail Grows Cold
THEY stopped in Denver for
l breakfast. Buff, who had ale
ready eaten, slipped a cup of cof-
fee and talked over her plans in
a quick, low voice. Iris listened
with gradually rising enthusiasm.
Half an hour later they were on
Colfax Avenue, headed east.
Tim, inquiring at various filling
stations, discovered that Buff had
bought gas and oil at one of them.
After that her trail grew cold. He
spent some time at the telegraph
Office, endeavoring to get in touch
with Lance Carroll. The New
York syndicate had refused to
disclose his address. In reply to
frenzied appeals, Tim had had
only the assurance that mail sent
to Carroll through their Office
would be duly forwarded. Finally
he sent another message to say
that CAROLS daughter Buff had
disappeared, and it was vitality
necessary to get in touch with her
parents at once.
This brought results.
GENERAL DELIVERY, TUCSON, ARR
IONA, ADVISE CONSULTING POLICE"
was the answer.
Tim appealed to the telegraph
operator who was beginning to
evince q little human interest in
these messages.
"What do ! do next?" he de-
handed.
"Wire the postmaster at Tucson
and ask for this bird CAROLS
address. You'll have to tell him it's
about his daughter. and even then
there's no telling If he'll give it
to you till he's got CAROLS per-
mission
He proved himself a true proph-
ct. The postmaster wired: "WML
GET IN TOUCH WITH PARTY AND GIVE
YOUR MESSAGE"
Sand that" said the operator,
sis every damned thing you can
do unless you take a plane and
fly to Arizona. Better stick around
a while, though. If CAROLS within
reaching distance he'll probably
wire you."
The morning crawled by slowly.
Tim had forethoughtedly cashed
a check before entering the West
ern Union Office. which was just
as well. considering the number
of his kilograms. AT noon he had
had no word from Lance.
go grab yourself a sandwich.
buddy, and maybe your message'll
be waiting for you when you come
back" The youthful operator was
hourly feeling himself of more
Importance. Tim had a moment of
grim amusement at that buddy"
Hell be patting my head next
and telling me not to cryl"
Nevertheless, he took this SEN
sible advice. He was rewarded by
finding an incredibly lengthy and
expensive wire awaiting him on
his return. Lance apparently was
having Mysteries In Tucson. He
gave his telephone number. how
ever. and ordered Tim to call him
at once.
This proved infinitely more sat-
isfactory to both men. Tim briefly
outlined the situation and Bluffs
father listened carefully. When
Denver had finished Tucson was
considerably more cheerful.
why didn't you say in the be-
ginning that she went off on her
own accord? You had me scared
pink for a while. Thought she was
kidnapped. or something. Well.
my boy. there's nothing to worry
about. No, she isn't here-but then
she wouldn't have had time to gel
here no matter how fast she drove.
My lease in Chicago has a couple
of months to run. She may be
there. for all / know. I'll give you
the address and you can try her
there when you think she's had
time to make it"
.But it's winter out here" Tim
said. gulping. ut may be blazing
sun and glittering sand in Tucson
but it's Slippery roads and snow
here. Bluffs driving. tell youi"
Continued tomorrow.