The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1943-01-13
Mr.: Xlgl;lsl slS


l mean the one you threw INTO
the trash can ON the corner OF
Commonwealth and Regent"
OConner said. He was still smil-
ing, still waiting. When he again
received no answer the smile
went away and his voice grad
ually became curt, incisive.
"a taxi driver found it" he
said. after ne had seen someone
throw it there. He was sitting in
his cab-there's a two cab stand,
back on the next corner-and he
saw a coupe slow down ahead-o8
him, pulling in to the curb. A
man leaned out and tossed some,
thing in the can, and because he
wasn't busy and was curious he
walked down the street and took
a look. 1t was a 80 automatic.
O'Conner pulled out a pack of
cigarette. waiting until he had
light before he went on.
Unfortunately for us he de-
cided it was a pretty nice find
and he'd keep it. Being on ar all
night shift he, didn't get up until
late afternoon. He saw the piece
in the paper about Clarke, but he
was a little scared then and didn't
get his nerve UP until evening.
After he'd turned it IN, it took
some time to check and have the
ballistics man go over it. Other
wise we would have had you
down last night, Mr.. Allen. Be-
cause that gun killed Perry
Clarke"
Denial
THIS time nothing changed in
l. Ward Aliens face, and his
voice was composed.
Il suppose all you'll have to do
now is compare my ffngerprints
with those on, the gun-or may
be the taxi man can identify the
arm that threw it."
O'Cenner's glance narrowed ir-
ritab1y.
There wouldn't be any prints,
except the taxi drivers. And we
don't expect him to identify you
since he only had a glimpse of
your profile and that at a instance
- we're not kidding ourselves
about that. But he did take down
the number of the coupe and
checks with yours. Your car was
out on the streets at that time and
was not delivered to your garage
until between eleven thirty and
a quarter of twelve"
Lieutenant Bacon had been
listening to all this with ill-dis-
guised impatience- Now he blew
his nose loudly and cleared his
throat.
why don't you come clean and
stop giving us the run around?"
he said
Allen looked at him and smiled.
You already have my story" he
said.
Il suppose you didn't throw
that gun aWay?"
mo"
why don't you tell us some
body stole your carr"
you've already thought of
that So I'll say the taxi driver
must have been mistaken about
the license number"
O'Conner shrugged and stood
up. his glance narrow and resent
full.
"pll explain it to the chief" he
said. Meanwhile you'd better
hold him downstairs"
He put on his hat and went out.
Bacon went to the window and
looked out. his legs widespread
and back stiff. After that there
was silence for a few seconds. I'M
til Dean Thorndike shifted in his
chair.
Take it easy, Ward. Well get
a lawyer for you and"
That isn't necessary" Ward
said. They really haven't any
case, you know"
But there'n be publicity if
"You know there'n be pub
Lefty" Bacon spun about. Were
looking over your place now. AL
len-with a warrant. Just make
yourself comfortable downstairs
and we'll see how long you stick
to your story"
He strobe back to the desk and
pushed a button. Presently the
plain-clothes man appeared. Ba-
con nodded to him and he walked
up to Ward Allen, touching him
on the arm.
To be continued