The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-11-30
Chapter 10 =
Bridge Party

OAAuSC AIRY
MAYBE I'll know more-after
1t1 the party tonight" said
Michael. '"There'll be someone
there-Dr. McBain-he was assist
ant Psychologist working under
Murchison, you know. think /
can get the information / need
out of him, but I've not been able
20 60 to him before this. / have
reason to believe that he's shielded
--Murchison at other crises.
haven't wanted to arouse his sus-
picions-"
Michael"
He turned to Bunny. "I suppose
she'll trump aces tonight? Our
aces?"
Tuck came back to earth. She
stopped staring at him. "Now," she
said briskly. there's point we've
got to settle right here. We simply
must not play at the same table.
o. course, if we get started at the
same table we can't help it for
tonce. but we mustn't let it happen
again"
"Rut how can we help it, lamb?
II all depends on who wins and
who doesn't"
mo, it doesn't. For instance, if
you're at head table. and Michael's
at second table and is winning,
you must be sure to lose so that
you'll 60 down to third. Bid FIVE
diamonds on nothing at all and get
set. It's easy. That way we can
watch all of them all of the time"
We'll be extremely popular
with our partners" Michael men,
toned.
"Oh. just tell 'em we follow the
Rockefeller convention. It'll be
easy: One millionaire's as good as
another"
How'm to know when Mich
ael is winning?"
1--WE must be sure and let each
other know. Airily. you know.
Just pass it Off"
muttered Michael over his
coffee, "foresee wonderful eve
ming Of bridge"
With a murderer or less for
partner. Michael"
snow, Mr.. Forester, you'll have
20 keep score" said Mrs. Deane at
head table. "We're one man short
tonight. and ] thin:s men should
always keep score because it's a
mathematical process. and you're
the only man at the table. so we'll
Just ask you to do ii, please Miss
Lissey. ! think you cut high; will
20 deal. please?"
4 hope you're comfortable, Mrs.
oe. the hostess murmured to
1|'ffey's partner. The rela-
ship tetween Mrs. Devoe and
son rs obvious They had the
n k|t'I bright brown eyes. the
.E xtIddy veinings in the cheeks.
1'1e long chins and finely cut
hrs. Devoe's hair had lost
. Of its brown. and was
ked with white now. She was
heavy and shapeless as she
ed against the big armchair.
Wy and shapeless. and with a
ain air of untidineSs not quite
n to define.
he answered Mrs. Deane in a
ugly. toneless voice. "I'm
mfortable." she said. SIS it my
d." She held her cards awk-
ardly.
"It's mine." Miss Lissey said
#hortly. 1.-TWO diamonds"
"Oh dear. / simply never know
what that means" Mrs. Deane
said unhappily to Michael, so ]
might as well pass"
Mrs. Devoe lifted her head and
T gazed down at her cards under
shielding lids with the far-sighted
gaze Of old age. "Pass." she said.
Pass" said Michael happily.
Miss Lissey snorted. "It's your
lead" she said disgustedly to Mrs.
Deane.
Michael had more trumps, it
seemed. than Miss Lissey. He took
the deciding trick. He said nothing.
Miss Lissey cut for Mrs. Deane
with savage determination. "It's
your DEAL" she said.
MIR. Deane
"THIS bidding is rather too high
Il for me-" said Mr.. Deane,
peering through his thick glasses.
-Four spades, them" Tuck said.
She didn't know whether or not
he was looking at her, but his face
was turned in her direction. It was
sslmost as if he wore a mask.
Marie Murchison's hands were
beautiful and soft against the dark
cards. The fingers were soft and
white, and the nails beautifully
shaped.
She shook her head prettily.
Every trace Of that other woman.
shat frightened, demoralized other
woman who had stood at that door
yesterday was gone.
Content" said DR.. McBain.
This was the man Michael was 60
ing 70 question. He had worked
9Th DR.. Murchison at the Uni
; ity. He ought to know some
ink about him.
Mo Deane turned his head from
pckl Ito DR.. McBain. did you bid
the spades first Mrs. For
ster?"
mo. DR.. McBain did. thank
pdness. He has to play them"
Z Dr. McBain, his legs too long
the confines Of the card table.
- an ozola hfc Qnrda held