The Key West citizen., 1940-03-23

ened to kill you," he cried, sit was
only because you'd done something
to deserve it." He sank back in
his chair, gaSping.
It was like an old-fashioned
melodrama. Mr.. Kimball was glar-
ing at Kincaid and Kincaid was
looking daggers at Richard. Every
one was talking at the same time.
Dirck drew his chair closer and
Slipped his arm through mine.
Shut up. all of you," the Ser
geant said, very red in the face.
What in hell is this all about. any,
way? Sit down, Kincaid."
Then he turned to Richard.
why didn't you tell me this?"
Richard groaned. Because I'd
forgotten all about it, Sergeant. /
did threaten him, if that is what
you want to know"
"Why?"
Because he was annoying Joan
with his attentions"
Kincaid sprang forward and
only Dirck's quick move saved
Richard from being knocked over
backwards, chair and all 1t looked
pretty bad. l held my breath and
gripped the arms of the chair.
There's going to be fight" i
thought.
But there wasn't. The Sergeant
made Kincaid sit down and stood
beside him with a strong hand on
his shoulder
What do you have to say?" the
Sergeant demanded.
Il wasn't annoying her" Kincaid
moved restlessly under the Ser
geant's grip. "He just didn't think
| was good enough for his sister,.
that's all. He let her run around.
with married man, whose wife is
half crazy, but every time tried
to see Joan he'd raise hell"
That's not true, Sergeant" Mr..
Kimball said, his blue eyes blazing.
Joan didn't care to see this man
and he was bothering her continu-
ally. He thought simply because.
he had the next apartment to her,
that it gave him the right to drop
in whenever he chose"
You're Lying
XIERE you in this house last
w night?" the Sergeant asked
Harry Kincaid.
He dropped his hand from the
mans shoulder and faced him.
mo-" Kincaid said, his dark
brows drawn in scowl.
The Sergeant Whistled softly.
'Then how does it happen that
your cigarette lighter was found
in Miss Howarth's apartment?"
II don't know Miss Howarth's
apartment"
"It's the one you had. That's Miss
Howarth over there" The Ser
geant pointed me out.
Mr.. Kincaid favored me with a
long, mean look and muttered that
he didn't have a cigarette lighter
to lose.
"You had Miss Wells" the Ser
geant persisted.
"Oh, that one. | borrowed it from
her one night while was still liv-
ing here, but I gave it back when
I moved"
The Sergeant looked at him
thoughtfully. "She seemed to
think you still had it," he said in a
silky voice.
well, l hadn't. put it back in
her apartment when | moved"
"And you are willing to impli-
cate her to save your own neck"
Longs voice was Scornful. "Are
you quite sure you weren't in the
house last night?"
'T'm sure" he said obstinately.
YOU'RE lying" the Sergeant
snapped. "You were seen leaving
this house between a quarter to
and twenty past twelve last night"
who saw me?" Kincaid half
rose belligerently, then sank back,
his hands clenched tightly to the
arms of the chair.
Someone who lives in this
house. And a few minutes earlier
than that you were seen by an
other person to enter Miss How
arth's apartment.
you can't prove it."
The Sergeant walked over to the
window and stared out into the
darkness. II can prove it, but it
would be better for you if you told
the truth"
Mr.. Kincaid slumped in his
chair. The room was quiet and
very warm. / looked up at Dirck
and he laid his hand over mine on
the arm of the chair.
Otherwise" the officer went on
in an ominously quiet voice, "I'm
going to put you under arrest"
Kincaid jumped to his feet
again. What can you arrest me
for?" he screamed.
For the murder Of Joan Kent"
clutched Dirck's hand and
leaned back weakly. There is a
limit to what person can stand in
one day and I'd reached the sat-
uration point.
Kincaid' was glowering at the
Sergeant. / thought if he remained
at large I'd never have an easy
moment again. Undoubtedly he
was the man who came into my
apartment and perhaps he'd been
in it again today to get the lighter.
He looked almost savage, with his
mouth drawn over his teeth in an
ugly line, and ! thought, I'D hate
to meet up with him in the dark"
He dropped back into the chair
again, his hands pressed to his face.
"pdidn' 'tmurder Joan. Iloved her"