The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1942-10-06
Chapter %
House OF Mystery

IA L L4GI14 IOuIlu lneIl mile.
from the coast. over the frs
of the three ridges into the
klamath River country.
DO you suppose that mar
really believed we turned back?'
Doubt it" Pete muttered
He'll probably come Tagging
along now any minute"
But he won't know where we
turned off"
Don't fool yourself. Sissy. He's
probably guessed where were
going and knows the way better
than we do"
He wouldn't have to know il
too well, at that" Julie said
Wryly when they took the wrong
road second time and had to
turn back.
It was hours between houses.
The road climbed steadily, twist
ing upgrade. and down again into
the valley. Each ridge rose higher
than the last the road narrowed.
curved more insidiously with
every mile
IF ! remember correctly" Pete
said finally. "it's the next place
beyond this highway bridge"
A moment later. he pulled off
the road under wide-spreading
branches. stopped the car.
I've an idea prudence is the
better part of valor." Pete
grinned. slid out of the car. Sup
pose we do a little reconnoiterine.
I'm not too happy about walking
in on Kelland without being sure
of a welcome"
They crossed through an aban-
doned apple orchard. keepin
carefully in the deepest shade.
When they could see the old
farmhouse that Kelland used as
headquarters for his hunting and
fishing parties, they stood a mo-
ment studying the scene below.
Two cars stood IN the drive.
One Julie recognized Immediately
as Kelland's town car. The other
was a green phaeton!
They're here. all right" she
whispered. and felt fright beat
wings in her tummy at the
thought of facing that cold. in
solent smile again.
Looks like it" Pete nodded.
scowling thoughtfully. Damned
funny if the guy is pulling any
thing that he'd drive around the
country in car like that. Too
easily identified"
Maybe he's here as Mr.. Kel-
lands guest"
Maybe he's guilty as hell and
Kelland's hiding him here. too"
Pete grinned Game to 60 see?"
She nodded. followed him on;
of the orchard. up through the
open meadow Pete was careful 70
keep back of the barn. out of
sight of the house for as long as
possible.
Damned funny that there
doesn't seem to be anyone about.
Pete muttered as they stopped 20
catch their breath.
The Voice
CTILL no sound from the house.
y no sign of life. Only the steady
plink-plunk of a dripping faucet
in the horse trough.
Julie shivered. although the
sun was blazing from straight
overhead
: "Scared?" Pete swung an arm
about her. gave her a little hug.
They can't do any more than
throw us out. Come on. Maybe
we're in time for lunch"
The old house. once a proud
sample of ugly American gothic
architecture. had tall. narrow
windows. many of them boarded
up now, and steep roof partly
covered with grey moss like an
unsightly skin eruption. The
porch sagged drunkenly under
the weight of rambler roses that
climbed toward the roof, a screen
door staggered on one hinge ana
the whole house gave an air of
debauched gentility.
They tried the back door first.
nocked several times, tried the
knob. Bolted fast
Then they climbed over tangled
shrubbery that had once been a
flower garden to the front door.
As Pete lifted the old-faShioned
iron knocker, they heard the un-
mistakeable sound of a woman
cT~vin0