The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-01-11
Chapter As
Twilight

was puzzled. She had strange
feeling that she had been sick and
out Of the world for days, that
many things had happened dur
ing that time that she did not
know of. There were queer gaps
IN her knowledge: and yet it had
been only yesterday that they had
arrested Duncan Murchison.
Michael, she reflected, hadn't
been quite himself throughout
this mystery. She knew there
were a great many things he
hadn't told her. For instance, what
had he been doing that day on the
river with Gordon, drifting along
the bank in the gray boat? He'd
been looking for something.
Why did this murderer-not
Duncan, of course, but the real
INADVERTENTLY did he want to
kill them? Was it because Michael
really knew the truth, and the
murderer guessed? If Michael did
know the truth, it was certain he'd
found out great many things he
hadn't told. That was like him.
What could he have found out?
Perhaps he knew at last where
Murchison's body had been taken.
Perhaps that's what he was look
ing for in the boat-a weighted
body that had been dropped from
the cliff above.
And Michael was so strange to-
night. He had sat al through din
ner awfully preoccupied, not an
sWering when he was spoken to
at all. Finally he had looked over
at Bunny. and said, without warn
ing, do you believe he's guilty?"
Bunny was pale with great black
rings around her eyes. She had
been pretty sick after the gas. She
had looked up and said, Don't
ask me. Michael. How can l tell?
! don't feel that it's possible he's
guilty. if that's what you mean"
'That'll do" Michael had said
gravely. Then, after a minute,
sits lonely in prison, I've heard.
We won't let him out on bail.
How'd you like to come down and
tell him you think he's innocent?"
Bunny had been sort of frozen
at this question, and she had
stared at him. What do you mean,
Michael?"
"Do you remember exactly what
said to you about Duncan? That
II you knew as much as / do about
this case you would never speak
to him again?"
ayes"
well can't you imagine
what that means. Bunny?"
Tuck's head hurt again. 1t had
been swimming at dinner. and she
herself simply couldn't imagine
what that meant. except what it
said. Evidently it didn't mean
that Bunny saw. She jumped up
from the table. her hand at her
throat and said. Michael! Is that
it?"
That's il. Will you go?"
Must we wait for dessert?"
Michael got up too He came
over to Tuck. sitting at the foot
of the table. picked her up and
carried her to the porch hammock.
Then he kissed her. you're still
sick. honey" he had said. Lie
here in the fresh air until we come
back. and we'll explain"
Charlotte Jean had brought an
aspirin. then, and Tuck had taken
il. Perhaps that's what made her
head feel fuzzy. The cool twilight
air was wonderful :. it made one
sleepy.
There was a rap at the door.
MRS. Forester" Mr.. Deane's
querulous squeaky voice said, sis
your husband in?"
"No. he isn't" she answered,
trying to rouse herself. Can do
something?"
"Gordon's conscious. ! don't
think you can. He is trying to tell
your husband something. and we
can't understand him"
What about, Mr.. Deane? About
who hit him?"
'No. Nothing so sensible. Some
thing about a creeping man he
keeps saying it over and over. and
he's so anxious to tell Mr.. For
roster that we decided we must
get him."
Tuck's brain cleared like magic.
She stood up III come" she said
instantly. Maybe he won't stay
conscious very long"
She led the way down the path
and around the hedge. Tuck
glanced about her for Hall and
Donovan. They seemed not to
have come yet; or perhaps they
were out in the wood. She felt so
safe. knowing that they were
guarding all the time.
4 Saw Him
GORDON. his head bandaged
~ heavily, was lying on his bed,
fiinging his hands out. tossing from
side to side. muttering.
Tuck went up to Gordon as he
lay on the bed. and put her hand
on his forehead. He flung it of
angrily. and looked at her with
unseeing eyes.
Gordon" she said clearly,
"what is it you know about the
Creeping Man? Have you seen
him? Do you know who he is?
You must tell me. Gordon"
mo, no." he muttered. only
Mr.. Forester. Only him. l said
I wouldn't tell nobody but him
The Creeping Man looked at me
." Gordon shuddered
Gordon. listen, Michael is
away - trying to find the Creep
ing Man himself. You must tell
me. do you hear? We must catch
him Michael would want you to
tell me. Where did you see him.
Gordon? Out by the cliffs?"
He turned his head toward her,
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