The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-03-18

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Well, 60 ahead" And with a wit
that ] thought him incapable of,
he said, brilliant young sleuth
outwits the fat.footed detective. /"
He picked up his hat and coat
and walked down the shop. I've
got to 60 now. Be here again be.
fore five. IF Kincaid or Lathrop
show up, Mr.. Kimball, keep them
in here. Norton will keep an eye
on them"
Dirck signalled me to 90 up.
stairs, so left him with Mr.. Kim
ball.
felt better now that he was
around. So much better, in fact,
that when got upstairs and found
cablegram poked under my door
didn't even get annoyed.
And the message: HAVING A
FINE TIME WISH YOU WE'RE
HERE LOVE TOBY didn't bother
me a bit.
THAT for you, Mr.. Vaughan" !
said as ] threw the cable in the
fireplace and put a match to it.
Are you destroying evidence?"
came soft voice from the door
way.
turned quickly, startled. Dirck
was grinning at me.
eyes," I said.
He stopped to pick up the en-
velope. I'd dropped it in the door
way;
"when you destroy things, do it
thoroughly. Don't taunt me with
the remains Who is cabling your"
"An old aunt" | said.
I'D like to believe that.
laughed shakily and lighted a
cigarette. It was demoralizing,
that soft blur in his voice. And
suddenly Bermuda seemed very
far away and Toby strange and
unfamiliar figure.
Furious At Myself
THEN he crossed the room and
took me by the shoulder. "See
here" he said. you aren't letting
this fracas here in the house get
you, by any chance?"
shook my head.
He looked at me keenly. you're
pretty pale, you know"
For some absurd reason felt
like crying. mo, really" / fall
tered. 'Pm all right" My voice
sounded queer.
"Are you sure?" he said gently.
] was furious at myself. / felt
like a child who has fallen down
and hurt herself, but didn't cry
until she saw her mother. All that
had happened during the day
crowded into my mind-waking
to hear Sarah screaming; that ter
rible reflection of Joan Kent in
her bright dressing gown; Mr..
Kimball's white face as he stood
in the hall: Sergeant Longs ham,
mering questions; the tense faces
of Richard Macdonald and his
mother.
/ shivered and pressed my face
against Dirck's shoulder, and for
a moment or two Istood there with
Dirck stroking my hair. until final
ly l pushed away from him and
sat down in the nearest chair.
II don't usually spill over like
this, Mr.. Kolff."
"You may cry on my shoulder
any time you like" he said in a
matter-of-fact voice. How have
you been lately, anyway" He sat
down in the wing chair by the fire.
place.
"Fine, thank you," was the most
brilliant answer ] could manage.
! was furious that he made me feel
so self-conscious.
He looked at me, and that calm
trate every crack in my armor.
'Tm glad you called me-" he
said finally. ~ was wondering
whether you'd return d from
Paris"
81 got in two weeks ago."
Except for the pallor, and that's
not unbecoming. you're looking
keen"
$50 are you"
Well. we kept up a bright con-
versation like that for about FIVE
minutes and then he looked at me
and we both laughed, and Dirck
drew his chair closer to mine.
"You know you scared me to
death in Paris" he admitted.
"How?
"Well, that day took you to tea
everyone that passed the table
spoke to you. And Toby Vaughan
was supposed to be staying in
Paris just because you were there.
You were so Damn popular felt
like the flying tail to the kite"
"JealouS?"
He shook his head. II like my
women domestic"
I laughed. 'Tm no more do
nestle than ] ever was"
mo, as usual you're stirring up
the dust. This is nice mess you've
moved yourself into"
! leaned back in the chair lazily.
''pm glad you're here. The Ser.
geant had me intimidated this aft
ernoon."
Dirck took out his pipe and
lighted it. II don't think he'll ar
rest you. There are too many 9TH
ers on his mind. And do you know.
it's interesting down here. I've
just taken a quick look over that
shop Of Kimball's. He's got beauti-'
full things there. and some very
rare books. It's odd to find a shop
like this in such neighborhood.
I should think there'd be very lit
tie demand for such things down