The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-12-12
Chapter 20
Breakfast Guest

"GANG SPoA AiAIlS SLOIcS 4dy
on the desk in the study, di.
vested at last of the hard coating
of wax which had dimmed their
luster and concealed their bril-
liant beauty.
"On Q snap guess, I'd say they're
worth fifty thousand dollars" the
District Attorney said.
Tuck drew a deep breath
We've accomplished something
she said. We've made the first
grade"
Bunny had tinge of bright
color in her cheeks. "I'm glad"
she said happily. Somehow il
seems to clear the air. There's
something tangible to fasten to.
Somewhere to start from"
"And." said Michael, "a million
questions to answer. Who put the
diamonds there? Are they MUIR
chison's. or did he steal them, and
hide them where they'd never be
brought out as evidence against
him? Or is there some other queer
business wrapped up in them?"
Il shouldn't be surprised" his
father said dryly, "if, from what
you've told me of her, his wife
didn't have hand in any tl1ievery
that went on"
You mustn't be prejudiced,
dad. Wait until you get a look at
her. She's Uery good looking"
Tuck shifted, but her heart was
not in it. There was, for the first
time, hint of some serious emo
ton in her eyes. II don't just like
il" she said. 81 don't think I really
believed any of it before. Now I
know some of it's true. 1t makes
me wonder :"
The District Attorney put his
hand for moment on her bright
hair. He frowned. "How would you
like to go down to the lake for
awhile?" he inquired. 1.-THE cot
tage is empty. It's a nice lake"
Tuck leaned back and stared up
at him. "a lake?'
"Um. A lake. ! hear there's a
new pier, and regattas and the
like. Dancing, perhaps"
Il think that's a fine idea, dad"
Michael said enthusiastically. 81
could drive down week-ends and
the girls could stay there all the
time"
Il like it here" Tuck said point
eddy.
mo doubt you do, my dear. But
I'm afraid they'll be wanting the
house for new professor. In fact,
! heard something to that effect
today" He knitted his brows.
That's lust too bad. Father For
roster. Bunny. do you want to 60
to the lake?"
mo" said Bunny fatty.
"And neither do l. So, since we've
taken the house . since we were
inveigled into taking the house
for three months. we'll just stay
right here. And that's settled" She
smiled wickedly at him.
"But, look here. Tuck" Michael
began. We've done what we came
out to do. The diamonds are
found"
She shook her head. Nothing
doing. you two. Your motives are
as clear as crystal, and we know
what's bothering you. You think
that since this has turned out to
be a real honest to goodness crime,
instead Of just a simple little mys-
terry. you'll get us out of here
and have all the fun to yourselves.
Well. we're not going. At least,
I'm not going. They're not going
70 murder me, and they're not 60
ing to murder Bunny nor Michael.
We haven't done anything as far
as they know whoever theu
are. There isn't the slightest dam
ger. and there's a tremendous lot
Of things ! want to know. AS
said before, I'm staying. Bunny?"
"Of course: II we must die. we
die together"
"The case won't be in my hands,
my dear" the District Attorney
said. abandoning all pretense.
The Commissioner will take
charge now. and put detectives to
work again. You've done all you
can. Anything else will be imped- |
ing the course of justice"
Tuck looked at him critically.
Detectives. poof." she said. still,
that last was very, very good
line. Impeding the course Of JUS
tice.' 1t certainly was. How do you |
think those things up. Father For
roster? They're simply wonder
full"
Woman's Place
IT'S no use, dad. She's on. We
Il stay" said Michael ruefully.
"The Commissioner will be very
glad to have US" Tuck explained |
10 her father-in-law carefully.
He'll do everything he can to
make our visit here enjoyable.
I'm sure he will"
II wouldn't put ii past him." he
aid gruffly. He'll use your in
7uisitiveness and your boldness to
good advantage"
snow, is that nicer" She patted |
his hand in swift contrition. sim
sorry. I'm Just terribly sorry. but
I'm not sorry enough to 60 away
md never find out anything more.
believe firmly that wonian's
place is in the home"
Il think you're unnecessarily |
said Bunny. "No one
'eally suspects us. The other night
Il the party we were accepted per-
ectly naturally. In any event, it
Doesn't seem possible that that |
my Of those people are really |
ruilty Of that they know 49,"
h cfnrYnad