The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-05-27
Chapter "A
The Time Element

The Time Element
A SEY swore under his breath as
IA he shifted and gingerly began
to pick a way for the little car
through the heaps of tin cans and
trash which sud denly doomed
ahead.
Some lazy bums," he said Bit
terly, ave been uSin' this for a
dump. Back in, dump their junk,
an drive out"
The coupe bounced through it
bravely.
my hats off to this vehicle, .
Asey said. "She can take it. Now,
I'll stop here. an Wen leave our
lights on, an see"
why not drive the coupe out
into the middle of the road" Kay
suggested, land well get out, and
then wait for"
For some honest burgher to get
killed? Nope. If he goes by, we'll
follow. We amt got chance of
catchin' him, but we can trail to
the bitter end. If can just get the
chance of SEEM what he does at
the next forks, then ! can weave
around him like a spider, an get
him no matter how fast he goes.
H-Kay-"
cts coming hell bent!" Kay said.
Il bet"
The car flashed by them.
That's it-hurry, Asey! Hurry,
that's it-why, what's the matter?
Start"
The percolator," Asey said, "is
through perkin'."
''Tires?"
Rear axle" Asey said, leaning
back and folding his arms. Kay,
did you see anythin', or recognize
the MANI"
1T went by so fast, and the win
dows were wet and drippy. No, /
don't know what kind of car it was,
even. / didn't see anyone. Did
your"
Il know the car. It's Lanes. His
own car, not his official one.
Brownish, with a dented front
fender"
You don't mean it was Lane!"
His car, said. Not him. It's got
a radio, know. Huh. The nearest
house is about mile up the road.
Feel like walkin' it2 / got great
desire to get to phone. Maybe we
can hitch a ride back to town"
The first two cars he hailed
merely swerved out and continued
on their way.
Sensible people," Kay said. 81
wouldn't dream Of giving us ride,
myself"
The next car was a truck, and
the driver pulled up for them.
"No&," Asey said ten minutes.
later. as they stood by the four cor
ners in BillingSgate, now we'll 60
TO the drug store an phone. So
lcng. feller, an thanksi'
Before they had a chance to
cross the street, a car swerved
around the corner and pulled up
beside them.
"Asey, where have you been?"
Lane demanded. Hamilton and
got there, and couldn't find you,
and your car tires were slashed-
we've been nearly crazyi Where
have you been?"
We've left Konrad and two 9TH
ers at the hollow" Hamilton said.
land Jeff Leach and Sara are 60
ing crazy about the girl, and Zeb
Chase has organized a one man
posse. and he's ripping around, and
Weston's been after uS-what a
time! Where"
Tail Light
you two" Asey said, shave
l. been together for the last
hour or so?"
Together? Of course we have!
We"
Where's your car, Lane? Your
own car, chump! see this one
herel"
AT the filling station, up the
street"
Get in, Kay" Asey said. Drive
over, wilfyotE Lane?"
What IS this?" Lane demanded.
"Nothin'. except I'm bettin' you
il amt there"
Bet away" Lane said, there
she is"
He pointed to the sedan parked
a little apart from row of other
cars.
What's your mileage? How
much gas in herr" Asey wanted to
know as he jumped out and
walked over to the brown sedan.
Thirty odd thousand. and the
tanks half or three-quarters full
what's the idea, do you want to
buy a good used car? I'll trade
even for your roadster" Lane said.
"and considering your tire bill
who slashed those tires, by the
way?"
Same fellow that's been driv-
ing your car" Asey told him. Say
do you always keep your key in
the car. like this?"
Who steals cops cars?"
Does your tail light work."
ASey asked.
Always has. guess So" He
switched on the lights. Sure.
Seer"
Asey looked in the front seat.
Both side windows were open and
the upholstery and floor and wheel
were soaking wet.
Always leave your windows
like this, tool"
Lane frowned. SAY, did wind
EN- up And-Asey, look at the
water gauge-say, it's hot! Some
one has been-say. let's 90 find the