The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-07-08
Chapter II
Jim's Contribution

HE lawyer and Jim Droissard
: retired to a far corner az ne
room, well out Of earshot Of the
others. = s''s
Say, Jim-where were vou?a
Robert Howe demanded.
Il followed the girl into this
room, see?" his assistant az
planned in a hoarse whisper
When ] got in here, she was al
ready halfway up the stairs. / was
gong to speak to her--I had nv
hand out to pull on her robe and
make her turn around. Then
Just as did-the candle went
out, like she said. See?"
mo. ] don't" said the LAWYER
testify. What about this cold.
elammy hand?"
She was nervous, / guess" Jim
explained. my hand amt cold
and clammy. But, when the cam
die went out, / grabbed her an
kle by mistake and she let out
holler. Then / ram
Mr.. Howe was nodding. a COM
placent smile on his lips.
4 see. Very sensible of you TO
keep quiet during the crcss-ex-
animation, Jim. No harm in let
ting Miss Prentice = and Mrs
Marbury, think there's sound
foundation for this ghost story
Luckily, with your arm in sling.
they'd never suspect you. But |
think tomorrow you could say
that your arm is BETTER
Say, that will be a pleasure. !"
said Jim with relief. Il keep for
getting it's supposed to be hurt"
The Raft
THE next morning Eve found
= Brett more disagreeable than
he had been before. "And that's
some sort of a record" she told
herself. Her own patience was
wearing rather thin. She had had
a restless night, and jules con-
slant solicitude had wearing eff
feet on her nerves. even so early
in the morning. She was in no
mood to placate Brett Rodman.
DO you feel better this morn
ing?" he inquired, as she emerged
from the kitchen quarters after
a late and hasty cup of coffee.
IF you mean to suggest that
my Mysteries last night were due
only to my Imagination" Eve
said haughtily, you're mistaken.
l did feel a cold, clammy hand.
But I'm all right-due, doubtless,
TO your bright smile"
Brett looked at her in aston
ishment. Il don't mean to play
the ogre" he apologized, "but
was rather worried about you
last night. You shouldn't go pry-
ing into places all alone. Wait
and call some of the men"
II did call you" Eve explained.
did your" His evident delight
was incomprehensible to Eve.
"Of course" she said Impatient
~. Il was fairly sure you had that
watch. But last night isn't what
matters"
MOP" said Brett. And then. ir-
relevantly: ''You have a srnudge
on your nose"
Eve stamped her foot. That's
what you think about, when you
should be worrying about our
lives--not my appearancel / tell
you | did feel a hand-and
know 1t wasn't from beyond the
grave-as Mrs. Jackson suggests.
Someone touched mel And | sus-
npPt ~
Beautiful! Whom do you sus-
pect2'
Neil, coming out of the dining
room in rubber-soled tennis shoes.
was at her elbow before Eve was
aware he was there. And Brett,
looking at him. seemed to lose
some of his carefree attitude. She
leaned against Neil's ready arm.
and found comfort in its solid
strength.
''We were just discussing the
trouble last night, she explained
ooh. that!" Neil dismissed it as
one of the ancient Nordic gods
might have tossed it aside, ask
ing something worthier of his
shield for foe, Last night is
over" he said grandly. "That bus
mess Of keeping watch was sort
Of child's play, anyhow. We're
more concerned with getting off
the island. Aren't WEI" His tone
was challenge to Brett.
But, to Ewes surprise, Brett
Instantly agreed.
You're right, Bowron. / gather
that you want to make a definite
attempt to get away from here.
What do you adviser"
Eve looked from one to the
other, unable to decide whether
they were merely using her as an
audience. or were actually trying
to help each other get away. But
neither man even glanced in her
direction.
Instead, Neil was saying with a
new note of respect in his voice:
IL thought we might build q
raft
"a splendid ideal" Brett looked
genuinely interested. and he and
Neil walked off arm in arm, dis.
cussing the various types that