The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-12

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took the part of a girl in Hun
dredth Night shows-did he sing?"
yeah, he was a screaming as
ahorse and coy, and a shrill falsetto
voice" The grin froze on his
face. "Great Godfrey, "he breathed.
Adam nodded slowly, soberly.
The song was to heighten the
iilusion--its easy enough to mimic
a monotone. And there had to be
O second bullet in case the fatal
one did not lodge in the wound.
"You see, he thought she was
dead-he meant her to be dead
when he carried her onto the dance
floor"
Mary Shaw hid her face against
her husbands shoulder and began
70 sob. He put a perfunetory arm
around her. spoke to her impa-
tiently.
II always told you Barney had
Ice water in his veins. :. But look,
Adam, you mean to say he carried
her around the floor? Why, man,
! had a girl pass out on me once
when We were dancing-weighed
q ton. could hardly get her, to a
chair! They're not like ordinary
people-stiffs, I mean. They-they
sag"
Adam said, "True. But I doubt
II Barney realized that when he
made his plans. She's q tiny thing,
and Barney-l'm no weakling, but
] assure you I was helpless yester.
day afternoon in his arms. I think
it's possible he underestimated the
task he had set himself; but once
started, he had to do it-there was
ne backing down after he'd shot
her. He had literally left himself
with no alternative, and it's re-
markable what you can do when
you have to save your skin. But did
you notice him afterWard-in the
dressing room?"
Mrs. Flowers head was nodding
violently again. Trembling all
over, he was, like a leaf!"
with fatigue, not horror" Adam
pointed out.
but the blood!" expostulated
Lou Orpington.
There was little external bleed
ing, fortunately for him. Although
he was prepared for that too. The
costumes-I think you all heard
Anne say that Barney planned
them. The big crimson heart,
pierced by an arrow. served a dual
purpose. A target of sorts; and
q mask for the blood that must
spill before he could lamp the
wound. He probably used abb
sorbent cotton for that and held
1t in place with his handkerchief.
And disposed Of it afterward."
Mrs. Flower spoke in detached
voice.
"He wasn't exactly human. was
he?"
"And that sentry said slowly,
"was trying to tell YOU"
That there was balloon
already tied to Her ankle when
Barney carried her into the build
ing. He didn't mention the carry
ing, because ii was a familiar sight
Ia habit of Barney's. He carried
her 10 the car, why shouldn't he
carry her from the carl The bal.
loon was a minor flaw in the plan,
and he thought he had provided
for that when he insisted to Shaw
that Everyone be inside for that
dance-so there would be no wit
nesses to his arrival. He didn't
count on the sentry. For the ball
loon, OF course, had to be tied to
her ankle before he took her out
OF the car. Once he was where he
could De seen, he couldn't let 60
OF her for minute. :"
Burnt Powder
T on ORPINGToN had been
i ,pondering. She spoke now,
pugnaciously, unconyinced.
II might have mistaken a burst
ing balloon for the sound of shot.
But ] swear ! smelled burnt pow
der"
$50 you did" said Adam calmly.
"Another thing the sentry might
have remembered. If I had thought
70 ask him., was that Barney
dropped q cigarette butt as he
reached the steps Of the veranda.
Mrs. Flower, wasn't Barney at
your house on the Fourth of July?"
Eyes. he was. He and Gilly had
quite a time"
Her jaw sagged. she resumed in
ahushed. admifing voice.
Z, GUY sdid there was q fire.
crackaf somewhere that hadn't
been Shot Of don't you remem-
Der, Flower? That child Is con-
tInAslly surprising me. /. He
wss right, wasn't her"
he may have been. Probably
Hatney dropped It in his pocket
AID forgot II I'm. not saying he'd
planned this thing that far in ad-
vance. But he found a use for it."
sAre you just guessing about
the ffeerackex?" demanded Lou
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