The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-03-09

answer me-" the Sergeant told her
sternly. "Have you any idea at all
who might have done this or how
it happened?"
The maid apparently needed no
pause for thought. She leaned for
ward and whispered, well, I don't
know about her" She pointed at
me again. Maybe she helped him"
Helped who?" the Sergeant
shouted, annoyed at the air of Sc
crecy.
"Mr. Macdonald. He lives on the
third floor like / told you" She
motioned to the room directly over
mine.
why do you suspect him?"
when / was in his room this
morning to clean up, his bed hadn't
been slept in. Besides, they was
always together, him and her"
Mrs. Evans interrupted with
sniff. IF you went by that, she
could have been murdered by any
one of a half a dozen young men.
They was always tagging after
her"
Sergeant Long looked at Mrs.
Evans. What do you know about
this?"
"How?" she leaned forward to
hear better.
The Sergeant raised his voice
five degrees. what do you know
about this?"
"Plentyl"
Tell me, and stick to facts this
time"
And then to my amaZement the
woman glanced at me significant
ly. For a moment the room was
quiet. Then the Sergeant cleared
his thoat and said impatiently,
"Well?"
And never taking her eyes from
me, Mrs. Evans said, Perhaps I'd
better speak to you in private, Ser
geant."
I stared at her. The Sergeant
stared at me. And Sarah stared at
all of US.
Had she lost her wits? How in
the world, wondered, could this
woman whom I'd never seen be-
fore until this morning, drag me
into the murder? Certainly what
ever she had to say she could say
in front of everyone.
please don't spare my feelings"
Isaid Jelly.
DumfOunded
THEN I saw Mr.. Kimball coming
L in the doorway and / was re-
| lieved. At least he would take an
intelligent view on whatever this
woman had on her mind.
The Sergeant motioned him to
chair and told Mrs. Evans to 60
on. She leaned forward and in her
heavy voice said:
Il was coming UP the stairway
last night. 1t was about midnight.
And ! saw a man go into her room.
1t was man who left here week
or two ago very mysteriously. A
few minutes after I'd gone up to
my apartment heard them quar-
reling. Loud, it was, too"
While she was talking she point
ed a finger at me until it was all I
could do to keep from screaming.
Before ] could say a word, Ser
geant Long swung around. "Out
with it" he barked. ~ knew there
was something funny about you"
Listen to me, Sergeant" Mr..
Kifnball interrupted. Miss How
arth-"
The Sergeant silenced him. "Pll
talk to you later Kimball," he
said. Well see first what this
young lady has to say"
was dumbfounded. It was bad
enough to have moved in on sud-
den death without being accused
of the murder itself.
"When did you come here to this
house?" the Sergeant asked.
With all the dignity could mus
ter I said, Last evening at quar-
ter to six. At half-past six I moved
in. And except for Mr.. Kimball
I've never laid eyes on any of these
people before"
took cigarette out of my case
and lighted it. I was so angry my
fingers shook.
"How about the man in your
apartment"
took long puff on the cigarette
and said as calmly as ! could, Last
night / couldn't get the door to
lock and a little while after went
to bed a man ran into my room.
When / asked who it was he said
My God! closed the door and
rushed down the hall. I have no
idea who he was"
Him." the Sergeant said. "Try
the key in the door now"
got up and tried the key in the
door. It locked easily and I never
felt so ridiculous in my life. Be-
hind me / could hear Mrs. Evans
and Sarah giving suspicious but
gratified shifts.
''You hadn't been drinking, had
your" the Sergeant said in silky
voice.
That was the last straw. turned
on him furiouSly. But before
could tear him limb from limb Mr..
Kimball spoke up.
Sergeant" he said, 1--WE have
trouble with the locks continually.
This house is very old and none Of
the keys fit well. I'm certain that
Miss Howarth had nothing to do
with this"
Listen to me-" the Sergeant
said, glaring. I'm the man who's
supposed to find out who did this.
You can keep your opinions to
yourself until you're asked"
Then the doorbell rang, and,
with glance of sympathy for me,
Mr.. Kimbali left the room.
'Pll see you later downstairs,
Kimball," the Sergeant called af-
ter him.