The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-06
Chapter 80
Just A Chance

IT OOK, Adam. I've been think
L. ing about that notebook and
the two attacks on Barney and the
possibility that the shot that killed
Anne might have been intended
for him. And the repeated theme
of-ef the family skeleton in what
he wrote about everyone. And ]
can See only one explanation that
fits it all-and that's blackmail."
In silence Adam digested that
unpalatable word. Then he shook
his head.
-. ga blackmailer is a peculiarly
nasty vermin. I won't believe it OF
"A BROTHER officer. I have my own
curiosity about people, but don't
trade on it. prefer to think Bar
ney is that way"
"Then why the notebook" ]
asked. "And what was. he doing
with it tonight"
"What do Elizabeth and Annie
know about Anne that they aren't
telling?" he countered. "And what
was that poor devil of a sentry try
ing to tell me? And what ABOUT
those stones? =: :" MI
HIS voice trailed off and, he
stared straight through me, his
eyes the unearthly, dazzling blue
~~-0fs+ae sparks thrown off by ar
acetylene torch.
~--sWhat is it," I cried. my pulses
beginning to pound.
80 He shook his head as if were a
-buzzing fly.
give got to think" he muttered
--~--1.-let him think. Presently he
seized the brown notebook, leafed
through it, found something and
Grew more excited as he read. He
laapad to his feet and raced around
-thesemall room while | watched
him in painful suspense.
ss-.s.sssEut how can l proVe it?" he de-
,.a- IhaRded of me suddenly; but when
---sfsnatched at the chance to ply him
WITH, questions his only answer
,-.-Xassa vacant stare aa.f
p I'm only trying to help you,"
: cried at last in evaporation.
: "aEh? On, yes, yes! Thank you
> very much. -"
. He was the soul of courtesy, but
. he was gone from me. retired into
sulky silence and tried to figure
! it out for myself. t,
> was getting exactly nowhere
= when the telephone rang. 1t star
tied Adam out of his Somnam-
=. buliSm. but he was so long coming
back to reality that it rang a sec;
:. end time before he remembered
- to answer it, |r'TSs 'ii1l
~Yes. Yes. :" A long pause.
"Are you sure that's all she said?
All right, Doc, I'll be right over"
- He listened a moment longer,
Graded the instrument carefully.
SIS there an extension telephone
in this house?"
g. II nodded.
"Where?"
upstairs hall Not far from my
% room. Why?"
Someone was listening in on
that conversation. l heard the
click. -"
So Touch And Co
- LIE RELEASED the telephone
II again, quietly, and asked for
the Officers Club.
Charlie? Adam speaking. Is
: Barney asleep? :. You're sure he's
all right then? Very we'll,
want you two to meet me at the
hospital in ten minutes. . don't
care whose car you take. but your
orders are the same as before
you're to stay with Barney every
minute. dom; want any more of
these mysterious attacks. I'm hold
> ing you personally responsible for
him. . E. Ten minutes then"
He put the instrument back,
I. showed it away from him. tiAS
> what has happened?" -
Same is conscious, asking for
Barney. Want to come along?"
"YeSi You think she may tell
him something's"
80 Adam shrugged. "She may be
delirious-she may lapse and new
er come out of it. It's touch and 60.
Doc says they have her in an oxy-
gen tent"
He motioned me to silence, and
together we tiptoed out into the
hall.
The upper landing was lighted
and Elizabeth was standing there,
=. fully dressed. gazing down at us.
- Its Anne!" she said accusingly.
"Why wasn't | told?"
Adam said. Sorry, explain lat
- "Annie and are coming" she
stated and was answered by a wall