The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-12-30

! stantly behind big stump, and
| stayed there for several minutes
| The shot had come from the river
bank, and as he dropped he had
an instantaneous glimpse of a
mans figure outlined against the
sky through the trees.
"So?" he said to himself as he
waited there, II know too much,
Ell? And the inquest is tomorrow"
Tuck came running out of the
house; Michael stood up hastily
before she saw where he had been
and started off toward her. The
gentleman with the gun would
not remain in his present position
for more than a second or two.
An idea struck him.
go back to the house, honey"
he said. "Gordon's got a new rifle,
and promised to help him break
it IN. I'll be in in few minutes"
"Was that what / heard?" she
asked. her face clearing.
eyes. And dye mind looking for
that tennis racket with the red
handle? Dave wants it back. Look
for it now, will your"
."Um," she said as she went
back.
That would keep her in the
house, in safety, he told himself.
He raced back down the path
to the river fork, and went swiftly
across through the trees. He stood
on the edge of the bank. and
looked downstream. There was
no one in sight. Cautiously, keep
ing well inside the line of trees,
he followed down the bank until
he was even with the Horseshoe.
There was no one. and no trace
of anyone :. dropped shells,
cigarette cases or anything that
an obliging would-be murderer
really should leave behind him.
He went back to the house.
II can't find that old racket"
Tuck said as he came in the door.
II don't remember that you ever
had one with a red handle. Mi
chael."
well, perhaps gave it back"
he said vaguely. where's Char
lotte Jean?"
"She doesn't know"
"Oh?" Michael wandered out
into the kitchen. Charlotte Jean
was folding clothes.
Michael perched himself on the
corner of the table. "How's your
boy friend these days?" he asked.
my boy friend, Mr.. Michael?
Which one do you mean, then?"
1.-THE newest one. The pocket
size edition. Higgins. By the way,
was he overseas, Charlotte Jean?"
eyes. Mr.. Forester. think he
was"
did he ever happen to tell you
whether or not he's a good shot?"
Eyes, Mr.. Forester. he did. He
is. A very good shot, he says"
These men are gay deceivers,"
Michael told her gloomily.
eyes, indeed. sir. AS for Higgins
i think the little mans crazy,
sir"
From The Golf Course
w Because he is, Mr.. Mi
chael. You'll maybe have heard
told Mrs. Forester about the
money he's comm into. | didn't
so much as mention that I'd told
Mrs. Forester before he fair flew
off at me. He said I'd no business
tellin' his secrets like that, and he
hasn't been around since. So
up, and broke the engagement"
Quite proper, under the cir
cumstances. Does he know you've
broken it,"
"No. / haven't had a chance to
tell him yet"
as he still around the gardens?"
"Oh. yes. Although he is letting
the weeds grow in our yard some
thing scandalous
"He didn't mention that he
might be leaving the country?"
mo. he didn't. sir"
"Well. that's nice. Now K.
weren't you hanging out clothes
this afternoon?"
mo, Mr.. Michael. l was taking
them in"
But you were out in the yard"
'Yes. sir"
"Were you there when Gordon
Deane shot that fire-cracker OFF,"
"Oh, was that it? 1t gave me
real start, that it did. Yes, | was
there"
did you happen to see anyone
going into or coming out of any
of the. houses afterward?"
mot that | just remember, Mr..
Michael. What do you want to
know for, If I may ask? Is it some
thing about that old maid dyin'
last night?"
Michael got up. Every little, I'm
afraid. You didn't see anyone
elSe?"
mot that I can remember of.
Oh :. let me see !. believe
I did see Mr.. Devoe. But he wasn't
goin' anywhere. He was coming
home"
From where, Charlotte Jean?"
From the golf course, ] guess.
He had his golf bag with him, and
he came from the river bank way
. you know, over to the right
where the path goes down toward
the golf course"
"And how long ago was that?"
"Oh-let me See-I was just fin
ishing the colored clothes-I guess
it was maybe ten minutes or so
aco -