The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-04
Chapter 80
The Hidden Relative

Chapter go
The Hidden Relative
ELIZABETH leaned over the
IL railing and spoke from the
upper hall. ~
"Pll be down in a minute"
Adam said, Right! Well wait in
the coloners den"
There was a cot bed covered by
q. Navajo blanket and piled with
the kind of cushions that are in
tended for use. I curled up among
them, and Adam, after a prelimi-
nary inspection Of the seating ar
rangements, chose the swivel chair
in front of the big mahogany desk,
where he sat rather painfully erect.
knew that he had understated the
effects of his fab on the polo field,
but also knew that he hated SYM
pathy, so I did not offer mine.
lyon still have The notebook"
he asked softly; and at my nod:
Don't let anyone see it"
/ slid it under the cushions while
he took from somewhere on his
person the little bundle of notes
had made during the early ques-
tioning. A baffled look crept over
his features as he studied them.
You'll have to interpret. I'm
afraid. Sleepy"
mo. don't want to put out the
ut ought to be nearly, dawn
Sky's overcast. This has been the
longest night. :"
Adam. what are we going to
do?"
He shook his head YEARLY. THAT
notebook-Pm pinning impossible
hopes to it. If you'll stay up"
EliZabeth's firm tread echoed on
the stairs. She came into the room.
a splendid, mistaken creature, the
kind of woman who takes the years
as they come, meeting trouble with
matter-of- fact. unflinching cour-
age.
Thank you, Adam, for taking
care of Katherine. This has been
an ordeal for her." Her eyes, full
of trust and affection, rested on
mine. II wish I could have spared
you the things Mrs. Orpington said.
No one who knows you could be-
lieve them"
The memory of my own suspi-
cions of Elizabeth plagued me. /
could find nothing to say.
Elizabeth" said Adams quietly.
"a man has been killed"
Horror cast its visible shadow
over her face.
"Who?" she whispered.
"a sentry, He had information
for me. You understand that I
have to question everyone?"
She said, Certainly" Her voice
was steadier. Her eyes were COM
passionate, but the blow had
glanced of.
Kay was with me-there is no
possible suspicion of her"
She turned to me with spontane-
Gus pleasure. 'Pm glad. And
Charlie?"
Charlie was in his rooms" said
Adam evenly. "Now I want you to
tell me-have you and Annie been
together since you left us at the
club?"
ayes. all the time. And she in
tends to sleep in my room. She's
very faithful"
Then you were not out Of each
others sight from the time you left
Us at the Service Club?"
He was so persistent, ! decided,
not because he distrusted her, but
because of lingering pessimiSm.
And it was not unjustified.
mo-" said Elizabeth, except at
the Carewes', of course"
NO Psychologist
A DAM blinked and the color rose
in his face.
"At the Carewes'?"
"Yes. Annie wanted to stop by
and see IL Mrs. Carewe needed any
thing. They're very old friends, you
know. She didn't get to see her,
though. Bridget - that's the Ca
reeves maid-said Mrs. Carewe
had been given a sedative and was
asleep. And Major Carewe was
out - Bridget either couldn't or
wouldn't say where. Annie stayed
there quite q time arguing with
her, and when she came out she
seemed quite annoyed" !,
sand your" Adam asked reluc-
family.
"Oh, I didn't 60 in" said Eliza
beth placidly. II waited in the car"
When she had gone upstairs
again Adam closed the door and
turned to me with a ferocious
scowl that sat oddly on his cher
ubic features.
ct waited in the car" he MIN
licked bitterly. why couldn't they
have stayed together-just one
sound alibi to break the chain
anything!"
He waved his arms as /. q swarm
Of gnats were bethering him.
well, after all, she told you the
truth, and she needn't have. Annie
would lie for her-did lie about
the time Of Anne's shooting. Eliza
beth could have a chain Of ahbis
for the claiming"
"She doesn't seem to feel the
need OF one" he said wryly. 'Ten
me. do you notice just q favor OF
the roval family about her-the-