The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-08-15
Chapter 81
Lenare's Tea

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Of his insistent pleading to be
put through to her, the clerk
reiterated that she had retired
and left word she was not to be
disturbed.
Derek's soaring spirits glided
to earth. He desired. with sudden
urgency. to do something grand
and glorious and magnificent for
her. But Wha.? He culled his
memory for her wishes and
words. could think of no greater
service than to once and for all
dispose of Rose Cornwall, Rose
Benton now, and remove by a
Clever coup-he must figure out
this duplicate o. Lenore who
threatened the happiness Of Lance
and Jan and Norma. Money?
Maybe. It wouldn't do to be bald
about il, since she was married.
at Least for the time being, to
Johnny. He thought about Johnny
and his ambition to have a band
of his own in a swanky night
club. Night club. What about the
Club Tunis in Manhattan? Barry
Winslow. its owner was a close
acquaintance of his. He could talk
TO Barry about it. And not to-
morrow; now.
EludiRg his impoftunate guests
he slipped out rear door to the
garage, backed his powerful
coupe into the driveway and
sped toward the city. It was only
a bit after midnight. Things
should be in full swing at the
Club. He froWned, foEeseeing diff
ficulty. because Johnny was I'M
tried and unknown. He could give
him a big build-up, still Barry
was a shreWd business man.
Money might do the trick. What
was the use of money if it
couldn't work out a thing like
this?
And so, at two o'clock in the
morning, feeling like boy scout
who could not sleep until he had
done his good deed for the day,
Derek Knowles bought a half
interest in the Club Tunis for a
quite fabulous sum, and dis
patched a night letter to one John
Benton at the Santa Monica Surf
Club requesting that he come as
soon as possible to New York, as
semble a band and take over the
entertainment problem at the
Club Tunis.
IF l know Rose, and I think
do, she won't be able to resist
New York, or being the ever
loving wife Of an important band
leaderl"
At one o'clock the following
day he telephoned Jan. She had,
the clerk informed him cheerily,
checked out and left no forward
ing address.
With increasing vexation re
called Doctor Birmingham, Doctor
Murray. the hospital. several h5-
tells. but they either could not or
would not admit to having Jan
in their mean clutches. He called
a Park Avenue florist and ordered
an assortment of everything in the
shop sent to the hospital where
Lance was. to be held for, and de-
livered to, Jan Merriner, with his
card.
Worried. fretting with uncer-
tainty, he suddenly remembered
JAMS promise to attend IGNORES
tea tomorrow afternoon, Friday.
He hated teas. but, he decided
grimly, he would certainly put in
an appearance at this particular
teal
IAN, on Friday afternoon, was
- in a mood. A bad mood; not
elfsh, but definitely goblinish.
Lance was resting beautifully, his
operation over, Doctor Murray'S
optimistic representation bath
ing him in happiness.
Leaving the Knowles castle
after seeing Lenore in Derek' S
arms. she had been positive that
his life was now complete. But
since Derek's deluge of flowers
yesterday and today she was not
so positive. Actually. she consid-
cred, Derek had been in IGNORES
arms, not she in his, if that was
any consolation
She had, she argued with her
self as an idea was born. moth
ing to lose so far as Derek was
concerned. "And / hate her." she
thought. Il think he's very stupid
Maybe If had him back at Sea
Tide~I could get some sense into
his copper-covered skull, but
haven't got the right kind of fire
to fight New York;" Yet. Derek
would surely be at IGNORES tea
for his mother. II she could re-
mind him of Sea Tide. of his life
there with her. she might still
have a chance against Lenore!
Derek had once assured her:
Clothes don't make the woman.
Perhaps this was good time to
find out Lenore had asked for an
entertainer in costume
"And that's just what she'll get
I'm going to gamble my world
against mis- and If I lose"
At FIVE o'clock. when a taxicah
stopped before IGNORES Sutton
Place apartment. the worthy
driver. who for FIVE years had
schooled himself never TO be sur
priSed at anyone or anything
looked definitely aStonished as his
small fare sailed across the side.
walk and into the ornate modern
istic lobby. r5tss
81" stated Jan to the maid vino
surveyed her, apparently reluct-
ant to admit her, am the enter
tainer. Miss Page expects me-
Miss Page. however. evinceC
much more than expectation
Safe Armament