The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-12-06
Chapter Is
StealfhY Footsteps

LOOkED ike nothing so
L much as the taillight of an au-
tomoblle sweeping around the
curve of the road beyond that
section now under repair. But
why would a car be here at this
hour? AS pondered that unan-
swerable question my heart lit
orally stopped beating. for heard
a stealthy football just behind
me. Close. so close that | could
now feel someone's breath on the
back of my neck.
| thought of a good many things
in that split second of suspend
ed animation while | waited for
octopus arms to reach out of the
darkness-While | waited for the
feel of fingers at my throat And
l needed no one to tell me that
had been the worlds biggest fool.
Then Kirk said. as coolly as
though discussing the weather.
Don't make a sound. I've got you
covered"
"Oh, Kirk" gasped, ARE you
crazy?" And practically fell into
his arms. for my knees suddenly
gave way under me.
''My Gcd Sally" he exploded.
and from tie relief in his Vo.cc
ii was obviouS tn3t, however else
he might be involved in the mis-
fortunes tina. ha1 descended upon
our house. al least | had nothing
TO fear FROM i.im so far as my
physical safety was concerned.
How was TO know It was
your" he demanded. still holding
en- to me with one arm, while Re
brought the f1as.ilight from a coat
pocket with MS free hand. Sup
poe | had shot your" he went
on. IN that rap.d-fre way ne mas
of talking Il couldn't see a thing.
What were you doing in here
without a light? | didn't know
whether il was Alica's ghost or
Alice herself or some lUnatic at
large from TIE secret room. Let's
get out Of here"
Once we were in the hall and
1t was clear that | could stand
unassisted, Inks questions De-
gan again. ''Wpat on earth were
you doing in there alone? WY
didn't you cal re2 After all. nv
dear. this IS not exactly a safe
house for sleer walking"
''Aurl Maggie" | started to
explain. then remembered that
must not. Il came down to see If
If she was all right And some
body had disarranged the sheet.
What" asked Kirk. with a
puzzled frown. "D.sarranged the
sheet? Let's nave a look" lie
picked up the lamp from the hall
table and we went back into the
drawing room and around the
screen. Tina darned strange.
he agreed. Why would anybody
do that Or rather. who would
do it? Do you suppose AlIce's cat
- Aren't there stories about"
Don't" | shuddered Still
knew no cat had turned those
sweater pockets inside cut.
"Oh. Sally. forgive ne. How
dumb of ne. | YVES or!y trying
to think OF some explanation. :
Kirk carefully Strengthened the
sheet AGAIN. then tcck ne By the
arm. "Let'S 20 10 the fire" he
said. you are shivering."
my candle" / remembered. Il
dropped it ard the li7ht wen; ouI
and it rolled under the sofa"
$50 that explains it," said Kirk
as he reclaimed the candl..
Thought | head some sort of
noise from in here"
We were in the library now.
seated in front of the fire. | was
stiil Shiverirg from pure nervous
ness and. while wanted nothing
so much as to be back in my bed.
/ was 50 let down that | actual
~ did not feel equal to climbing
the stairs al that moment.
Welcome Relief
"JJIHEW!" whistled Kirk. what
w an experience. l don't wonder
you feel shot. Don't feel so won
derful myself. Wouldn't a little
drink help your"
"a little sherry" agreed and
when it was brought, choked a
bit, remembering that sherry had
been one of Aunt Maggie's last
requests. why don't you have 6
drink" I asked.
Kirk shook his head. "Want tc
keep my alleged wits about me-
he explained.
Strange. tho room no longer
seemed to mock me. Strange. as
the sherry warmed the blood r
my veins. my confidence in kirh
should be flowing back, in spite
of everything. / wondered if i
could be because he is one Of
those extremely masculine meI
who seem to influence womer
without half trying. Perhap p!
Bluebeard had been like that,
decided. And DR.. Crippen.
| gazed at Kirk covertly. |
seemed to me that there was ;
sort of unnatural CLEAN in hi
eyes. I knew 1t was only the re-
Election of the freight which
shining on the candlesticks, haC
given me that uncomfortable
feeling earlier.
But in my upset state il made
me think of stories of were,
wolves. Suppose that CLEAN il
Kinks dark eyes suddenly became
more intense? Suppose his lips