The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-19

quietly down the rainspout5 and
try In another quarter.
As the Chiseler turned to de-
part the head of a rusty nail pros
Itruding from the side Of the house.
came in contact with his neat dark
gray trousers. And as his right leg
shot forward, there was a ripping
Irendink tearing sound. The next
instant the night breeze wa; riff
/ fling the Chiseler,s underpants
through gap that q bull terrier
would have been proud to exhibit
to his kinfolk.
Wherefore the Chiseler may,
at this point, be forgiven tor maxi
ling one of the few mistakes Of q
Hong and dishono rable career.
Strike me pink quoth the
| Chiseller. in hoarsc and sibilant
/ whisper.
Startled, Mrs. Dipsang leapt to
her feet and rushed to the window.
She was, in no sense of the word,
terrified. On the contrary, her COM
dition was one of happy excite
Iment. The cards had indicated a
large light gentleman of kingly
presence just around the corner.
She popped her head out of the
vine ow and perceived the Chisel-
er, now dancing in some confusion
/ near the end of the balcony.
/ Mrs. Dipsang was an assiduous
/ reader of mystery thrillers. There
fore, she knew just how to accost
shadoWy figures who danced unin-
vited upon her balcony.
stop, thiefP said Mrs. Dipsang.
But, fortunately for the Chiseler,
she said it in low throaty voice.
The Chiseler, abruptly, ceased
to dance. AS a matter of fact, he
had been dancing only Temporal
rily. while making up his mind as
to how to proceed next. And IN an
instant his stupendous intellect
was swarming to his aid. This card
playing woman looked like a SIM
pie soul. He would, therefore, hold
her in play with the heavy artillery
of his vocabulary until some cock
and-bull story occurred to him.
SSH" he whispered, by way OF
kicking of. ''There is no call for
hysteria, my good woman"
He might well have omitted
reference to hySteria. Mrs. Dip
sang had no intention of indu1ging
| in a fit of nerves.
Come here" she ordered per-
emptorily.
uakta, uolan,.:n-
THE Chiseler hesitated. He had
I a congenital objection to allow
ling his particular cast OF counte-
nance to be observed while on ball
comics attached to the better homes
of Long Island.
Mrs. Dipsang, however, was not
altogether a fool.
"Come here" she commanded
again. a little stridently. IF you
don't. I'll scream"
The Chiseler waved his hands in
front of his face in an agitated at
tempt to divert the threatening
llarynx of Mrs. Dipsang.
Madam" he said, striving for
composure, Sin the delightful COM
versation that will presently en-
sue. I must beg of you to modulate
your voice. can explain every
thing to your entire satisfaction"
'Then come here" said Mrs.
Dipsang. Hers was single-track
mind When it went after a point,
it went after it like a bloodhound.
The ChiSeler came, Siding a
little in Difference to his sick
trousers.
In the illumination that poured
from the window, Mrs. DipSang
subjected him to critical inspec-
ton. Nor was she in-pleased by
what she saw. Here .tood a tall
ascetic-l looking gentleman of Dig
nified bearing. His complexion was
definitely on the light side. And,
as if TO clinch this fact, he sported
a pair of sand colored mustachioS
that would have brought tears to
the eyes of q bull wa1rus. Mrs.
EDipsang's mood changed from one
of faint suspicion to that of exc
IRENE affability.
Come in, she said courteously,
suddenly throwing open a door
which ave on the balcony.
The Chiseler had suspected the
presence of this door. But he had
not seen it since it was near the op-
posite end of the balcony. Now
that it was open. however, he did
not care to 60 through il. In his
opinion, it was not q good idea for
this matronly woman, obviously an
inmate of the house. to see too
much of him.
81 very much regret, Madam" he
said now. clearing his throat. that
I shall be unable toe -linger to
enjoy your kind offer Of hospital
ity. Before going. however. feel
that you are due an explanation Of
my rather unconventional method
of appearing on your balcony.
81 certainly am, said Mrs. Dip
sang, decisively. "Come in and do
your explaining"
There are reasons" said the
Chiseler, "why I prefer to remain
here"
Nonsense" said Mrs. Dipsang.
with your permission" pro-
ceeded the Chiseler smoothly. 81
win now
Mrs. Dipsang cut him short.
Here" she said, peering at him.
why haven't you got your shoes
onan
The Chiseler pampered her
curiosity in q courteous manner.
sBecause. Madam he said, Il
was not fortunate enough to b. in
vited to the festivities that are
going on below. ] was, therefore,
forced to gain admittance in some
-ah-less conventional manner