The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-26
Chapter Eight
Light Of Mystery

LiSHt III Mystery
GINA and Mrs. Marbury cor
- nered Brett and talked to him
earnestly about the house. Eve,
watching Brett as he pointed to
the wallpaper. or ran his Hand
over the frame of a chair. saw his
face tighten. He even smiled at
Gina and she. pleased with her
. success, refused to see Ham, scow-
ling in another corner.
Wouldn't you know 1t would
be like this?" Neil murmered to
Eve. 81 get you on desert is
Independently alone, though in
a crowd--and there isn't a moon
in the heavens. In fact, it might
even rain-I just went out on the
porch and looked"
"Never mind" Eve consoied
him. II can feel gomantic Just
sitting in this room. I do hope
Mrs. Marbury fixes it up-I'd like
to come here just once and see it
in all its glory"
sits nice enough ROOM" Neil
agreed without enthusiasm. Say
did anyone ask the Jacksons
what that little shack down on
the beach is for? If they have a
motor boat, we might run around
the island tomorrow, before the
plane gets here"
II asked about that" Ham
spoke up, his naturally genial
nature recovering from Gina's
Snub. Jackson said it had been a
boathouse once-but there's Moth
ing there now-it's just empty
and, / gathered. falling apart"
"They certainly had a fine cell
lar anyway" Mr.. Howe declared,
swallowing reminiscently. well
II think Droissard and I will go
along to bed, if you people don't
mind. It's been fairly firing day
for me-"
He added a general goodnight
to everyone else in the room and,
followed by his "bodyguard," left
the room. The others gathered
into a smaller circle about the fire
and, by common consent. talked
in lowered tones. Julie, with her
flair for mimickry, had them all
sitting their laughter as she imi-
tated Mrs. Jackson showing her
the bedroom and assuring her she
wouldn't like it.
Later, Eve asked Brett Rodman
if there were any secret passages,
81 haven't looked" he said.
struggling, "but it's likely. Most
of these old houses have them and
this one had reputation, as told
you, for slave-running."
Where 10 you think it is?" Eve
persisted.
He leaned forward and lowered
his voice still more, so that they
all had tc listen closely. Eve sat
with her back to the fire, Lordy
Mae at her feet.
do you know what | think?"
Brett whispered to her. II think
the secret passage is right in back
OF you'll"
Involuntarily Eve jumped up,
looking fearfully over her shoul-
der. Lordy Mac. too. was Instantly
on his feet, growing in his throat.
and Neil looked at Brett MUIR
derously.
This hardly seems the time for
jokes" he said coldly. We're all
tired, | think. Let's get upstairs"
Eve. ashamed of herself and
annoyed with Brett. followed
NeiPs suggestion at once and they
all took candles and went. There
had been no sign of the Jacksons
since dinner time, and they had
heard no movement on the other
side of the house.
Tim glad | brought my cold
cream, anyway" Julie said,
yawning, as she and Eve reached
their room. Although / can't see
TO put it on in this light. Phewl
Those blankets certainly are
moth -proofed-you'd better open
another window. dear"
Eve obediently went to the
second small window set in the
gable and raised II high. The wind
was strong. but it brought the
salt-sweet smell of the sea. and
she could hear the murmur of the
water along the shore.
She turned and looked at the
room again, loving its quaint. fad
ed wallpaper. the old mahogany
bed. the ehintz-covered slipper
chair near an incongruous. mar
Ole topped table.
In spite of moth balls, I'm go
ing 70 sleep" she announced.
slipping out OF her clothes. sThis
is q love Of a room, isn't it9 My
fingers are just itching 10 do q
couple Of things right now. But
suppose Brett Rodman would look
down his nose If | suggested II.
He's a rather unpleasant per-
son. | should say" Julie agreed
~But he must be fairly competent.
Hop into bed dear. I'll be right
with you
Light I'm TIE Night
I'VE was scarcely conscious,
II however. when her aunt
climbed under the blankets. and
a few minutes later she was sound
asleep, II was like climbing out
at a deep. dark cavern 70 bring
herself awake some hours later.
But once she opened her ewes. sire
was Instantly alert She had heard
q sound-then il care azain--z
Light knocking. ana Nell B0wrcn.s
Voice:
Eve. Can you cone out here