The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-08-28
Chapter 10
Bridge Party

a N HOUR or so later, Felicia and
- stood and looked down from
the edge Of the gulley at the black
ened, twisted ruin that had been
her Ford coupe. It had nosed down
and lay canted on its side, but the
way its top was crushed indicated
that it must have turned over at
least once.
Five cents for junk" said Fe-
licia morosely. "And I only had
liability insurance. Maybe the
widow and orphans can collect on
that. I'd finished paying for it too
last month. Oh well, I've still
got my girdle." And she patted her
sleek side.
Gerald Beaufort had somehow
insinuated himself into the rumble
seat of Adams modestly correct
new Buick. He seemed pleased
with the expedition, like a child
~ a picnic, and lowered cheerful
~ over the two men Adam had de-
tailed to do the actual sitting, and
presently was down on his immac-
nlate gray-hannel knees lingering
the small bits Of blackened debris
that made a growing heap to one
side Of the workingmen.
There were shirt buttons, and
buttons from a mans coat. There
was belt buckle which looked
like any other belt buckle ! had
eyer seen but which was scruti-
nized gravely by Adam and Ger
aid before il was placed in an en-
velope In true professional style.
The cuff links turned out TO be the
Patented kind that snap together.
and were as distinctive, Adam said
disguStedly, as carpet tacks.
ANY idea what this is?" he
asked. holding something up for
Us TO see.
We scrambled down to him and
Felicia took the oddly shaped bit
Of metal from his hand. She
rubbed it with her handkerchief,
turned it this way and that, said,
finally, eyes, it's the clasp Of my
pocketbook. He took fancy to il
and as il was an old one and had
only a few dollars in it decided
not 10 bubble"
That was big Of you" said Ger
aid Beaufort admiringly.
thought So" She turned the
blackened clasp over in her hand.
L shall keep it" she decided, ''for
O souvenir"
The luggage compartment was
sprung part way open. Adam
found jack lever among the
spilled tools and, prying it wider,
stuck his head, ostrich-fashion,
into the black NAV.
"a flash Is what I need" he
said, his voice sounding hollow.
There's something in here" He
Strengthened, singled the English
man with his eye. There's one in
my car. Dash compartment"
His handsome face alight with
boy scout enthusiasm, G eraldI
Beaufort scrambled up to the car.
By the time he returned Adam
had managed to force the COM
partment almost wide open and
the four OF US crowded around to
see what lay in the light of the
fash. Charred, but the ash still re-
tanning its shape against the hori-
Zontal metal wall Of the car, were
the remains Of a small pasteboard
box.
"Yours, Felicia?" Adam asked.
She shook her head, but looked
apprehensive. Never saw it be-
fore. What do you suppose it is?"
Adam reached a long arm down
and touched the lid gingerly. II
powdered under his finger. The
aperture which il left revealed
that the box was packed with
something grayish green and tex
tured like paper, and we stared at
Il for a moment before Gerald
Beaufort identified il for us. 80
Bills. Currency. Paper money"
I'm other words, jack" said
Felicia on long breath. "And it's
all ashes" r.
Adam stared at it silently for a
long minute, then fiicked off the
Light.
I'm not going to touch it." he
decided. ''Tll have them send out
Corporal O'Connor of the Detec-
tive Bureau Of the State Police. He
may be interested in this"
Gerald locke disappointed.
Couldn't we just open it up bit?
] mean to say, it's not often one
sees tidy bit of cash like that all
gone up in smoke"
Adam shook his head. mot I'M
til OConnor comes. II viii require
careful handling to identify il at
all He'll have the equipment"
Find zimmerman
LIE FORCED the back of the
! \ compartment nearly shut and
turned to the soldier who had ap-
peared at his elbow.
Something here you might like
70 see, sir" he said, breathing a
little unevenly. He looked un-
happy. He held something out on
the palm OF his hand for Adam to
take. We've only just found Il.
sir"
Adam looked at the small,
crossed sabers with the number
above them and began to whistle
dolefulIy between his teeth. He
took another envelope from the
? breast pocket Of his khaki shirt.
@Regimental insignia. Just as
before" ne said, and dropped Ii in.