The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-21

smootned them nat INTO the n1lI-
side.
The front Of the house was
rounded outward in semi-circular
effect, and there was an upper
and lower porch. Perfectly pro-
portioned Corinthian pillars up
held the roof. The central build
ing was crowned by a dome,
which, Brett observed with some
surprise, seemed entirely in keep
ing with the rest of the architec-
ture.
By the time he had reached the
bottom of the highest terrace
Brett had come to two decisions
about the house: Mrs. Marbury
would go into Mysteries of delight
at her first sight of it. That was
decision number one. The second
decision was: this was no place
for a house-party. in its present
state of disrepair. He must take a
hasty look around and then hurry
back to the village to head off
Mrs. Marbury and the crowd be-
fore they got started.
The boards of the porch were
half gone. Brett picked his way
to the front door and before
pulling the brass knob, black as
iron with age and neglect. turned
to survey the scene. Even in the
midst of its riotous decay the
place was lovely; he could readily
visualize the beauty it had held
in the days of its glory.
A sound behind him made him
swing around sharply and a
cracked voice suggested:
Better get goin',, Buddy. This
here's private property"
The front door had opened q
few inches and an understood
youth of nineteen or twenty had
thrust his hollow-cheeked face
through the aperture. For the life
of him, Brett could not have
named the color of his hair or
eyes. There was suggestion of
red about both and reddishness
too about his skin, due, Brett de-
cided, to the large patches of
freckles which overspread coun-
tenance the older man disliked on
sight. Annoyed by his scrutiny,
the youth stepped out on the
porch.
"Not deaf, are you, mister?" he
inquired truculently.
How'd you like a punch on the
nose?" asked Brett. in CONVEX
sational tone. He took a step to-
ward the youth, who looked even
more understood in comparison
with Brett's easy height.
"You don't have to get sore. /
told you in nice way. this is
private property"
THAT was your idea of nice
way, was it? Now suppose you tell
me something else. A Mr.. and
Mrs. Jackson are supposed to be
caretakers here. What are you do
ing on the premiSes?"
As he spoke, he took out of
his pocket the letter of introduce
ton which Mrs. Marbury had
given him. The youths shifty gaze
caught the heavily engraved es-
tate name in the corner. His man.
ner became even more concilia-
tory.
Gee, / thought you was Just
snoopin' around" he cried. "Come
on In. The Jacksons are here all
right. | just been visiting here.
I'm their nephew. Ed Boyd's the
name.
Unwelcome
pRETT followed him into large
- hall, semi-circular in shape,
like the great porch they had just
left II was, in fact. the other half
of the circle, of which the porch
comprised the first half, Brett OBJ
served. Ed Boyd went in search of
the caretakers.
Across the center of the bare
floor, which had evidently not
been swept-much less polished
for years, colored light fell in a
geometrical pattern. Brett looked
up. to discover that 1t came from
the dome and was caused by the
sun shining through vari-colored
panes of glass.
The second floor hallway, like
the one in which he stood, was
semi-circular too, obviously COM
pleting the half circle of the
upper front porch. But this
second story halR was Eutl uway,
so that only q marrow gallery,
protected by carved railing, was
left. The dome rose a story and a
half above the second floor, Civ
ing an effect OF vaultedS height
that was impressive. ~
you wanted TO see met"
A plump. pleasant looking wo-
man was coming heavily across
the floor as she spoke.
Mrs. Jackson" Brett waited
for her nod Then: "I'm Brett
Rodman. have a letter here from
the estate In charge of this house.
Il explains that I've come here
in the interests Of a client. who
wants to buy house-possibly
this one
He held out the letter. Mrs.
Jackson put out her hand slowly.
as If reluctant TO take IL She drew
the letter out OF the envelope
and stared at II helplesSly. 'T'1
have 10 get my glasses"
SITS Just short note. I'll read
il to you II you like" he offered.
well Mrs. Jackson gave Il
back to him, still with that per-
ceptible slowness, like someone
in q dream.
Maybe you'd best come in
here. she added. and turned aside
20 4 door whose dusty pediment
Brett noted with satisfaction.
TIE next minute Bret stecd Ia
"a enormous room. foraetfal of
the letter in his hand. The ceiling
was lofty, the furniture was good