The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-01-02
Chapter 81
Testimony

Testimony
THANK you, Mrs. Oeane." The
coroner's eyes were very
grave, and his lips firm. 81 realize
that this is a vEcy important piece
Of evidence indeed. You offer it to
show that Miss Lissey was dis
turbed in her mind before she came
to the party at all?"
eyes, DR.. Mayhem"
THANK you. Mrs. McBain,
please"
Mrs. McBain in dark dress that
emphasized her pallor, took the
chair he indicated. Her hands
shook a little, and she laid them
together in her lap. DR.. Mayhem
looked at her sharply.
This has been a shock to you,
Mrs. McBain?"
eyes" Her lips trembled.
Miss Lissey was an intimate
friend of yours?"
Il knew her-Well."
"You were her confidant in her
personal affairs, peChaps?"
ITO very slight extent"
The coroner leaned back, and
folded his hands together under
his chin. "You have not been
sleeping very well, Mrs. McBain?"
She moved a little, restlessly.
You would not expect me to, DR..
Mayhem"
mo, no. l should hardly expect
you to. Tell me-is there some
particular thought in your mind
which keeps you from sleeping?
Did Miss Lissey tell you some
thing, or did you, perhaps, see
something last Sunday afternoon,
which is troubling you greatly?"
She put a hand to her eyes sud-
denly. mo" she faltered.
The clock licked again.
"You are certain?"
no"
You mean, you are not GER
tain?"
Must I tell-here-in front of
everyone?"
The coroner glanced around
slowly at the tense expectant faces
before him. DR.. McBain glared at
him openly as if to compel him to
allow his wife to go; the coroner's
glance passed him blandly, past
the Deanes, past Michael and Tuck
and Bunny. past Charlotte Jean
sitting wide eyed on the edge of
her chair-to Jared Devoe, upon
whose upper lip the tiny beads of
perspiration stood plainly
I'm afraid you must, Mrs. Nc
Balm"
She sighed. Her husband rose
suddenly, went to the water cooler
in the corner of the room, and
brought her a drink. She took it,
and held it in her hands as she
talked. ssk s.- *-a
Sunday afternoon-I was sit
ting beside her. On the wicker
couch. She thought no one was
near us. Suddenly she said to me
If he pays attention to that
girl, I'm going to tell her exactly
what | know about him. it's
enough TOTO put him out of the
sight of all decent people,"
She stopped.
"Yes?"
"He heard" she said duly. "He
had been right behind us. saw
his eyes"
ITO whom are you referring,
Mrs. McBain?"
She turned slowly, with an air
of dread, and her eyes went down
the row of faces until they rested
on those bright, staring, brown
eyes, on the pallid countenance,
on those telltale drops of perSpira-
ton. There they rested.
ut was Jared Devoe," she said.
Poison Cabinet
"NJHEN was this, Mrs. McBain?"
w we were just beginning
our tea"
THAT was before Mr.. Devoe
carried out the tray, them"
Il do not know. / know nothing
else" She leaned YEARLY against
her chair. Her face was very white
'I'm afraid you do, Mrs. McBain
Who was the girl to whom Miss
LisSey alluded?"
miss Temple"
Have you any idea what Miss
LiSSey meant? Do you know what
she knew about Mr.. Devoe thar
made her speak so?"
mo. do not know"
She slipped at the water. Nc
Balm was froWning.
Very we'll, then. Mrs. McBain.
DR.. McBain. we will talk to you
now"
He was very straight and tall,
and he walked with military pre-
cision across the floor.
Captain John McBain?"
Il do not use the military title,
he said briefly.
Your wife has already told you
CO this remark of Miss Lissey's.
and that it had been overheard?"
YES"
"Why did you not wish to have
ASr tell it?
THE answer seems obvious. Be-
cause it probably means nothing
at all, and it will give her great
anguish of mind until the matter
is fully cleared up. if she has
caused trouble for anyone"
Can you add anything to the
events of Sunday, DR.. McBain?"
Nothing whatever"
You knew Miss LiSSey quite
we'll, DR.. McBain?"
I'VE have been colleagues for
fourteen years."