The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-12-13

nor why he went. We do not know
his plans. He said nothing about
returning. In fact" hesitated-
"the tone Of the letter made us be-
lieve that he meant it as a final
farewell Supposing he never re-
turns? What them"
Michael laughed. "You are an
ticipating an event which will
scarcely come to pass" he said
lightly.
Devoe stirred restlessly. "It is
in our minds. that worry" he in
sisted. 1--WE feel that We must take
it into account"
"Was he the type Of man to
leave his home and his wife with
no more ceremony than he has
shown?"
No, emphatically not"
There is nothing to suggest that
Miss Lissey may be speaking from
SOME knowledge she may have in
her possession rather than fancy?"
There was the smallest hesita-
ton on DEVICES part. Nothing"
he said.
Michael looked straight at him.
what is your own personal ex-
PLANTATION of DR.. Murchison's &C
ton, Mr.. Devoe?"
For a moment Devoe did not
answer. Then. II cannot explain
it." he said heavily. Il have gone
over every possibility again and
again in my mind. | have given
those possibilities to the Police
Commissioner and he has worked
on them. Nothing answers. Until
he comes back to explain it him.
self--if he chooses to come back
the mystery is still a mystery to
me-" Il
II see," Michael said thought
fully. perhaps then, you had bet
ter go to the Commissioner with
this story about Miss Lissey There
is chance that she knows some
thing she isn't telling-something
she's only limiting at. Since you've
talked it all over with him pre-
viously, ! should think that would
be your wisest move"
Dyed-In-T The Wool
nEVOE started up and stared at
II Michael. But what could she
know" he demanded. What is
there for her to known"
Michael shook his head. "She
may answer that and she may not.
BY the way, what about DR.. Muir
chison's brother? He seems level
headed sort of chap. He was liv-
ing here in the house. was he not?
Can't he throw any light on his
brothers movements"
Devoe's face was dark again.
HE says he had gone to the thea
ter that night. He seems to know
nothing whatever of his brothers
diSappearance-of his action"
Michael rose. What does he
think of this idea of Miss Lissey's?
About another woman"
Devoe looked straight at Michael
as he answered.:
tempered. We have little talk to-
gether on the matter. / do not
know his opinion"
Well. what about Miss Lissey
herself? Where was she at the time
he left? Did she see him go? 1t
might be worth your while to find
that out"
81 might suggest that to the Po-
lice Commissioner" Devoe said
doubtfully. He turned to Tuck.
"You will pardon my uneasiness.
Mrs. Forester. I am sure" he said
politely. Perhaps this matter will
be cleared up soon, and then we
shall have freer minds. In the
meantime. you will understand
why my mother :. and Mrs.
Murchison -"
Certainly" Tuck interrupted
him. 81 can understand perfectly"
"And perhaps !" he hesitated
again. ait might be better 1. in
case you do meet either of them
-. if they did not know that you
are in possession of this informal
ton"
He made his adieux when Tuck
had assured him that she and Bum
ny were silent on the matter. He
was ELUSIVE in his thanks. Michael
watched his retreating figure from
the window.
Very distinctly" he said, 81
hear church bells, far, far in the
distance. Or is it a mouse smell?"
1T looks more like a herring"
Bunny answered. contemptuotlsly.
Isn't he q horrible creature? Twas
simply dying to shake salt all over
Michael wrinkled his nose.
~Poofl" he exclaimed "What q
nasty idea. Bunny. What a aastu
ideal"
II thought he was rather sweet"
said Tuck dreamily. "He did so
want to get his little idea across.
and he had such dreadful time
doing 1t, poor thing"
His idea, Tuck?"
"Umhm. That Duncan Murchi-
son is a Observation-Disclosures
villain. and knows a lot more than
he wants to tell. Wasn't that it?a
Michael laughed. $50 Igathered.
honey. Apparently. since it got to
both OF US, that was what he was
trying to do. Strike you that way,
Bunny?"
"Yes," she said loftily and turned
suddenly faint pink under Tuck.s
scrutiny.
Michael coughed. "That letter."
he said. @is a swell little stopper. I
think we viii endeavor to pull it
out. The soup will then splash on
the door and murder viii be out"
But Miss Lissey, Michael? What
has she Up her sleeve?"
"Oh, her arm, probably. You
never can tel"
Continued tomorrow