The Key West citizen., 1940-12-19
Chapter a
The Coroner

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L blers handTriting?" the lieu
tenant went Oh.
! had been sure enough at the
time. I took the note and exam
ined It again. eyes, Il IS Aunt
Maggie's writing. I'm as certain
as one can reasonably BE-"
Lieutenant Gregory went into
the routine questions as TO
whether Aunt Maggie had any
enemies and whether we had
cause TO suspect the servants or
any of our guests. The answer, Of
course, was no in both cases.
At this point his sandy-haired
assistant began to fidget. "What
is It, Roberts?" Lieutenant Greg
Ory asked. "Oh. 1 see. Motives" I"
Then turning to Bill. MRS. Am
bier was, understand. wealthy
Woman?"
"She was quite comfortably
fixed" Bill admitted.
"You know of no one who
might have tried TO blackmail
herr"
mo"
"Who will profit by her death?"
"PrOfit?" Bill and I repeated
like stupid parrots.
who inherits her money!" he
elucidated.
"Oh," said Bill. MY wife. Un-
less Aunt Maggie recently
changed her will. Our family law
yer IS on the way out. He would
know"
While Lieutenant Gregory's ex-
preston remained inscrutable,
could feel that Roberts was
pleased. l should not have been
at all surprised if he had said,
Now we are getting somewhere"
Welcome Visitors
QUT however agreeable Patrol
II man Roberts's thoughts may
have been, they were interrupted
by loud and peremptory knock
ing at the door. Lieutenant Greg
Ory frowned. but nodded in an
swer to Roherts'S questioning
look. and the latter, disapproval
eloquent in every movement,
arose and stalked over to answer.
Standing outside was our law
yer, Mr.. Thomas Marshall. and
another man whom I did not
recognize. Mr.. MarShall's arrival
at tnaI precise moment seemed
more than mere coincidence to
me. was willing 10 set il down
as a good omen. foreshadowing a
speedy disposition of our difficult
ties.
Bill arose hastily and went to
meet thL newcomers. This Is
Coroner DodSon." Mr.. Marshall
explained as they shook hands.
and drew my breath quickly.
remembering the coroner is
blind. should not have guessed It
from his appearance. for he is
confident IN bearing. vital and
alert looking, and though a little
heavy IS al the same time clean
cut in features and physique.
Il asked Mr. DOdson to come
as a special favor to me-" eX-
planned Mr.. Marshall. whose bald
head makes his shaggy eyebrows
AOOh kA4OA6A1 LLA&4 EAGGACA
good manicure. But under those
ferOcious brOWs are the large.
kind brown eyes of a faithful
Gordon setter. which were now
turned anXiOusly in my direction
'I was never so glad TO see you"
/ told him sincerely
Mr.. DObSOn'S duties as coroner
do not require him to make an in
vestigation in person.. Mr.
Marshall continued. "All he has
to do is preside ~ the inquest
as no doubt will be necessary IN
this case. But we have known
each other for a number Of years
In fact. we play chess together
and | have a great respect for his
ability and his powers of deduc-
ton. So. after your telephone call
! got in touch with him ana al
though. as | said. ne Is not re-
ouired to make these visits ne IS
making an exception in this case. "
Very glad to do SO. said Mr.
Dobson. il. ms deep. resonant
voice. as Bill and | expressed our
appreciation. All" ne added. 4
see YOU have Lieutenant Gregory
on the job"
The officer. who had done no
more than voice a low remark 10
his assistant. now came forward.
grinning. 10 shake hands with the
blind coroner who had recognized
his voice
And isn't that Roberts with
you?" Mr.. DodsOn asked, and
Roberts. too. arose to pay his re-
spects Just a little impetuous
sometimes" smiled the coroner.
as ne shook hands with Roberts.
"but with Gregory you make a
good team. so I suppose i IS all
right"
Have to work hard TO put any
thing over on the coroner, said
Lieutenant Gregory. with note
worthy attempt at lightneSS.
You are right. it IS hard to
put ANYTHING over on him.
agreed Mr. Marshall. who ex-
planned that his purpose IN bring
ing Mr.. DodSon was 10 have him
look the situation over and sit
in on the questioning
He hears more IN the human
voice than the rest OF US Go.
Mr. Marshall declared.
"Oh, I don't know" Mr.. Dodson
deprecated modestly, but with a
humorous twist TO his sensitive
lips. Maybe l just listen more
carefully. It is one Of the things
you learn 10 do when you cannot
depend entirely. upon sight"