The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-01-04

stone. McBain still sat with his
hand over his eyes; Jared Devoe's
salloW face crimsoned slowly. Mr..
Deane swallowed, and his eyes be-
hind the thick glasses flashed.
Then Marie Murchison was on
her feet confronting Dunca
"Murderedi" she said tempestu-
ously. Edgar? Murdered?"
He looked at her with his hag-
gard eyes but did not answer.
She made a futile little gesture
with her clenched fist. You lie!"
she cried frantically. She whirled
to face the Commissioner. who had
come forward. Tell him he lies"
she begged. Edgar has not been
murdered! You know it is not sol"
Davies frowned hesitantly. i
sincerely hope it is not so. Mrs.
Murcnson."
Her eyes searched his face anx-
iously. Devoe suddenly came for
ward and stood beside her. What
truth is there in this strange state
ment of Duncan's?" he demanded
of Davies.
The Commissioner did not for
moment answer. He raised his
hand and rubbed his temple indie
cisively.
Surely there can be no truth at
all, Commissioner Davies" Devoe
said with the faintest suspicion of
a break in his voice. "You would
have told us if such a thing were
possible"
Very Much Afraid
DAWES had made up his mind.
- 1--WE are YER much afraid
there may be truth in it, Mr.. De-
woe" he said gravely.
His remark seemed to break the
icy tension of the others. Mrs. Me-
Balm gave a little low moan, and
her hands and lips were trembling.
McBain rose. 81 am taking my wife
home" he said firmly. IF you want
me you will know where to find
me-" and he led her out. an arm
about her waist.
No one noted his going. Mrs.
Deane sat with her eyes fixed
straight before her, stunned. DR..
Deane moved in his chair restless
ly. Old Mrs. Devoe closed her eyes.
Mrs. Murchison's black eyes
were full Of fear. "No, no." she
muttered to herself, wringing her
hands. mo, mol"
Upon what evidence do you
base such a belief" Devoe asked
more quietly now.
I'VE can scarcely go into that
here. Mr.. Devoe."
I'VE must go into it somewhere,
and that very shortly. This will be
terrible for my cousin. She must
know the truth immediately"
She looked up at his words.
Where is he?" she whispered.
Have they-have they found him
YETI"
Her words seemed to galvanize
old Mrs. Devoe into life. She got
up and went over to them. Are
you sure Edgar Murchison is
dead?" she asked the Commits
sioner harshly.
1--WE have not found his body"
he replied.
"Then, you are not sure. Come,
then. Marie. You must go home.
Jared will bring us the news.
Comet"
"She isn't fit to drive the car"
Jared muttered.
'I'll take her." Tuck said quietly.
I'll come back for you later. Mi
chael."
The Deanes went. too, Mr.. Deane
in front with Tuck, and Mrs.
Deane, for once silent, in the back
seat with Marie Murchison and old
Mrs. Devoe. There was not a word
spoken on the homeward journey.
The three women sat like craven
images staring straight before
them. AS Tuck stopped the car in
front of the DEVICES house, Mrs.
MurchiSon got out, and turned to
her impulsively, a hand on her
arm. Tuck was sure that she want
ed to tell her something, but old
Mrs. Devoe did not give her time.
Come along. Marie" she said,
arm, and led her into the house.
Tuck drove back down town for
Bunny and Michael, turning over
in her mind the questions and am
swerS of the inquest; so many
straightforward que tions, so
many strange and roundabout
questions.
When she entered the coroner's
Office again she saw that much had
transpired in her absence. DEVICES
face wore a hunted, furtive ex-
preston. as though he had been
through another period of unWel-
come questioning. Duncan Murch-
iSon was icily calm. The coroner
and Bunny were no longer in the
room.
'Bunny's in dads office" Mi
chael told her. eff you'll call her,
Tuck, We'll be ready to go when
you come down" His eyes were
tired.
Bunny was sitting with her head
on her arms when Tuck entered.
She looked up quickly.
ITS been horrible day, hasn't
it, Tucker" she murmured absent
ly, as if she knew she should say
something but had no words.
1T will come out all right,
Bunny"
1T doesn't seem possible. After
you were gone"
"Yes?"
after you were gone they
turned on him, and almost accused
him to his face of numbering :.
his brother. I couldn't stand it. I
came away"
Michael too, Bunny?"
Michael was pretty bad. Jared
Davnn was x1rnrSf I dnr,,k ,,nanr