The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-09
Chapter 81
The Sound OF Shots


The Sound Of Shots
THE roar drown e further
i speech as the big army plane
swooped down, touched earth and
TAXED toward us.
Colonel Wright does not need
the eagles on his shoulders to make
him a commanding figure. Well
over six feet, craggy faced, i'm
peccably military, in his presence
Adam alone did not suffer by COM
parison.
He put an arm protectingly
around Elizabeth and let his eagle
eyes sweep the group.
you're alone, sir?" Adam VEN
tured in parade-ground below.
Colonel Wright seemed able to
make himself heard even against
the crescendo of the impatient
plane.
eyes. Pilots going right back"
he said crispIy. Got tired waiting
for the Department of Justice man
let him find his own transporta-
ton" He turned. waved a casual
dismissal to the pilot. ''Well, got
your mann"
Adam said cautiously, "I'll have
some information for you when
we get back to quarters"
Lets get there them" said the
older man and set out across the
field toward the rank of cars.
Adam already had the motor
going when Elizabeth appeared at
his side of the car, looking rather
frightened.
major Drew can't find An
ME. And my cars gone"
Her father came up behind her.
! got out quickly.
"You ride with Adam, Colonel
Wright. Elizabeth and will sit
behind"
"What on earth do you sup
poser" Elizabeth asked as we
swung around the curve onto the
main road through the post.
my fault, I'm afraid" l said
dismally. Il was supposed to watch
her."
Her surprise was certainly gen.
uine. watch Annie? But-but
why? Adam surely can't think
oh no! Probably she felt i'll or
thought of something. -"
She had called him Adam. One
part of my mind registered the
fact, but it gave me no pleasure.
Her voice trailed off. We were
shooting at a terrific pace along the
indifferently surfaced road. We
chung to the sides of the car.
Speech was no longer comfortable.
AS we roared down Noncoms'
Row ] glinpsed car ahead of us,
travelling very fast.
Looks that it?"
And then l saw it was MOTT
was a roadster.
Down the long row of officers
quarters it kept we'll ahead of us.
Suddenly, at the far end of the
post, I saw EliZabeth'S little car
take drunken corner and careen
on its way.
He's Dead
II OOK-she's not stopping at
l. the house." Elizabeth shouted
at me. She was right. Her car had
slackened speed, was weaving
back and forth along the road that
led to the gate of the post, where
a row of trees swallowed it from
sight. The second car had gained
- nn1 o. cxrynnYnI n
a corner and approached the COM
handing officers quarters | saw
that the second car was Charles.
The brakes squealed as Adam
drew up in front of the house.
He was out of the car almost in
stantly.
"Out, girls, quickly!" he ordered
crisply, giving us each a hand.
sect into the houSe-thiS won't be
pretty. Hi, Sentry! On the running
board. And you, sir?"
"Drive on" said Colonel Wright.
Elizabeth and I stood on the
sidewalk staring after them in
dumb resentment as the car lunged
away. And then, for no reason that
I'll ever know, the hair rose on
my head in terror I had never
felt before.
A mans voice was believing,
Corporal of the Guard, Post Num-
Der One!"
Then the sound of shots-four
or FIVE in rapid succession, follow
ed by the unmistakable, metallic
rending of a car smash. Only a
heartbeat of silence, while the
whole post seemed to echo that
cry:
Corporal of the Guard, Post
Number One!"
A single shot. Then silence.
I began to run, and Elizabeth
after me. / did not know I was
crying until things began to swim
in front of me. AS we turned into
the road to the gate I could see
the dark bulk of cars and moving
figures, but I could distinguish
none of them.