The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-29
Chapter SO
Hearts And bowers


DICHARD CRAFTONBURY
~ ADAMS was pleased. That
was what he wanted Saltair Acres
to be. a home. Not a showplace.
The fact that the Chiseler had
looked over his abode and cate
goried it correctly flattered him.
"Well," he said, am glad you
felt that way. Too many people
mistake my place for a picnic
ground. They drive out here from
the city. eat their lunches and lit
ter the place up with newspapers
and tin cans. And I'm going to put
q stop to it. A stop to it. dammit"
"Quite," said the ChiseIer, bend.
ing this declaration to suit his own
ends. "And nothing would give me
more pleasure than to be of as
siStance to YOU"
Assistance to me?" repeated
Richard Craftonbury. How"
Il have" said the Chiseler
smoothly, "what l believe may
amount to a modest inspiration.
Perhaps, Mr.. Adams, / could offer
you my services in the capacity of
. kind of overseer or bailiff. With
out. of course, having gone deeply
into your problems, It would seem
an excellent arrangement. My wife
IS housekeeper and myself as a
steward. as it were"
It was his trump card. If it took
It's trick a peaceful and com.
Portable vista stretched before
him. Goodby to scheming and plot
ting with the ruffianly characters
Of the underworld. Goodby to as
ISOLATION with mobsters of the Co
letti ilk. Goodby to this perpetual
game Of hide and seek with the
forces of law and order. Instead, a
roof over his head, good food, lux.
urious surroundings and, doubt
less, vast library into which to
dip when the scholarly mood was
upon him. And a soft job into the
bargain. And, the ChiSeler told
himself earnestly, for these things
he could put up with the some
what-vacuous Mrs. Dipsang. He
had no doubt, either, of his ability
to square himself with Mrs. Dip
sang for the lengths to which he
had permitted his imagination to
carry him. If Mrs. Dipsang hadn't
exposed him yet, she wasn't likely
to do so now. He stole a covert
glance at her. She was standing to
one side looking vacant, as one in a
trance. But the Chiseler fiattered
himself that he noted faint glow
on her face, glow of exhilaration
no doubt.
Richard Craftonbury A d m S
had been weighing the Chiseler,s
suggestion. Acceptance woul d
keep Mrs. Dipsang in her job and
Richard Craftonbury wanted def
nitely to retain the services of Mrs.
Dipsang. He smote his left palm
with his right fist.
"That's a brilliant idea. I'll make
you bailiff. Can you keep ac-
counts?" s,
81 am" said the Chiseler, with
modesty, something of mathe-
matician."
"Can you handle mem"
with tact and discretion" the
Chiseler assured him.
"Well," said Richard Grafton
bury decisively. you're hired. !
need a good man around here. Saw
ing your wife, a lot of dunderheads
have been running my house." He
glared, for no reason at all. at
Matherton who quailed. Then he
faced the Chiseler again. ANY
hobbies?" he barked.
WHAT" said the Chiseler.
Hobbies? Like to do anything
In your off hours? Play any games?
Cribbage, for instance? Well, speak
upI'
@Shiver my timbers. yes" said
the Chiseler. 81 fancy that ! am
one Of the finest cribbage players
that ever sailed the seven seas"
Hey?" Mr.. Adams jumped. He
had not been prepared to have his
bailiff speak up in such big way.
"Do you think you could beat me
at cribbage?"
Unless" said the Chiseler, "you
rank with one Of the few great
masters"
'Hol Is that so? Well, answer me
this: Do you play chess? Think be-
fore you speak, my man. I'll have
you to know that I'm the best chess
player on Long Island"
nno.. n.e...a
HTF YOU will permit me, sir" said
! Mr.. Austin Sebastian Dip
sang. nee ChiSeler Jennings, some
time crook and present bailiff of
Saltair Acres, "you were the best
chess player on Long Island"
whats that?" roared Richard
Craftonbury. SAY that againl"
Il am merely pointing out." said
the Chiseler, with Subtlety, shat
am on Long Island now.n
Richard Craftonbury wheeled
on Mrs. Dipsang. "Dipsang, my
cribbaga board. My chess sets,
Dipsang. I'll show this - this
bailiff where he heads in. I'll pin
his ears back. Come on you, you
bailiff. Wen see about this"
The Chiseler addressed Mrs.
Dipsang.
q shall see you later, my love, !"
he said, giving her melting look.
Richard Craftonbury grabbed
his arm. Richard Craftonbury had
completely forgotten everything
except that his proficiency as a
cribbage and chess player had
bean impurned. And by his own