The Key West Citizen Newspaper, September 20, 1937, Page 4

sane PAGE FOUR ae THE DARK SHIPS THE KEY WEST CITIZEN --- By Hulbert Footner --- POOCOOOOOOSOOOESOOOOOSOOOSOOOODO OOOOH OOOO OSOOO OOOO OO OOOOOS DOOOOE DOO SOOO ESOS OHOSOSOOTEOOTOSOOOOOO® SYN PSIS: A lovers’ tiff sepa- rates Neill, a young federal agent, and Janet in Baltimore. She won’t break a date with Prescott Fan- ning whom Neill considers a crook. Trying to check on Fan- ning, Neill is doped by him. Next day a mysterious phone call tell: Neill that Janet’s in trouble on Fanning’s yacht at Absalom’s Harbor. Rushing there, he finds, in a locked cal., Fanning shot dead and Janet in a faint, a gun beside her. Seeking a hideout, Neill rows her to the disused lin- ers kept up the river. They man- age to get aboard, dodge a watch- man and locate the “royal sr‘te.” Chapter 12 ‘J Didn’t Shoot Him!’ LL suddenly remembered that he had not eaten anything during the past strenuous 12 hours. They spread out their provender on the cabin table and he hung the flashlight upside down from the ceiling to give them light. They feasted on cold meat, bread and butter, pickles and salad, and be- cause they were young and in love they forgot danger for a time. “I wonder if any couple before ever had a whole 25,000-ton stip to themselves,” said Neill. When he looked in Janet's clear es he was relieved of the fear fhat her mind was deranged. Still some of the things she said rang queerly, as when he told her he would leave her his gun and she said: “T wouldn’t know how to use it.” Neill made no comment. Later she said tremulously: “You are so good to me, Neill!” “Why the nell shouldn’t I be to you?” he growled, “Not one word of reproach!” “Pm so darn glad to get you back there's no room for re- When they had finished eatin; and cleared away, Neill _unroll his coil of light rope. Even had they been able to bring it down from the deck, the Jacob's. ladder was too heavy for Janet to haul up after he had gone, or to lower for him when he came again, and he age to make a rope ladder to e its place, Cutting off short lengths for the cross pieces, he showed her how to knot them so they wouldn't slip, and the two of them worked away together un- der the light. “You haven’t asked me what happened,” Janet said with her head down. “You don’t have to tell me now unless you feel like it.” “Certainly. You have to be told «.. Fanning was just what you said he was. I was a fool.” “We all are.” “He actually planned to carry me down to Cuba on his yacht, He id that before we got thereI... ft ” She blushed deeply. ‘ou would become reconciled to your fate and wouldn't leave him?” put in Neill. “Yes” “He had a hell of a good conceit of himself, didn’t he? ... How did he inveigle you aboard?” “He said that the yacht had been offered to him at a great bargain, and suggested that we have dinner aboard and look her over. There were some other people coming, a Mr. and Mrs.; Westbrook, so it seemed all right... .” “Decoys,” put in Neill. “We had dinner over the yacht the Westbrooks said it was too nice sitting on desk, so/| we left them there and went be- low. When we had looked at every- thing and came back on deck, they weren't where we had left them, but I thought they were somewhere about. | suspected mothing. Fanning suggested that we take a little run down the har- bor to see how she worked as pleased as a child. a fool I was!” “Never mi: “Go on.” His Manner Changed “WE WERE tied up to the oil dock Canton taking fuel oil. The s: st off the ropes and we went down to Fort Car- roll, When | we must turn back, Fanning’s manner changed. He took me a and a sailor steered. Fanning said ver going back any more. At first I thought he was king. When I s it, I looked th " said the mouth of th miles from s' riv they could steered away fr mel so that I cc c and afterwards | when Fanning wanted to show me | He} said [ could steer her and | was/ Oh, what Neill! y from the wheel | was all talk. However, he gave me the after cabin to myself, and there was a key in the door so that | could lock myself in, But, oh, Neill! what a terrible night! “There was some kind of acci- dent in the engine room. We were stopped for a long time, and then went on slowly. When it became light, I saw that we had run into a harbor alongside a village, but 1 didn’t know where it was. Fanning was in an ugly tempér because the accident had upset all his plans. He told me I would have to stay below as long as we lay in har- bor.” “How did you get word to me?” asked Neill. “McGee, the engineer, had to take up part of the cabin floor to look at the propellor shaft. He was a decent sort of man; he looked as if he was sorry for me. Fanning was with him, watching. When | learned from their talk that Mc- Gee had to go to Baltimore, I wrote your room number at the Stafford on a piece of paper. I knew you were registered under an assumed name, and slipped it to him when Fanning wasn’t looking.” “Good trick!” “All day I stayed below. They brought me my meals in the sa- loon. In the evening Fanning sent the rest of the crew ashore to go to the movies. Through the port- hole I saw them rowing away. Shortly after that Fanning came into my cabin without knocking, and I saw that he had turned ugly. . . - He locked the door behind him. ...” Janet began to shake pitifully. “That's all I can remember,” she faltered. “I must have fainted through terror. The next thing I knew I was out in the saloon and you were speaking to me.” “Did you have a gun?” asked Neill. “Yes, I forgot that. After McGee had left my cabin I found it under the sofa. I supposed that he had leftit there for me.” “Where was the gun when Fan- ning came in?” “Lying on the table in my cabin. ... Why are you asking me these questions about the gun?” she added nervously. “When I broke in the door of your cabin Fanning was shot dead,” said Neill. She stared at him in horror. “Oh, 3 Sed What are you saying? ... A didn’t shoot him, Neill! I swear’ i He kissed her. He didn’t believe her. Most likely the truth was that she had snatched up the pistol, mad with terror, and had shot the man without knowing what she was doing. Anyhow, he loved her, and what difference did it make? In fact, he hoped that she had shot Fanning. Back To The Hotel HE could not bring himself to question her further_in her fe shaken state. He said lightly: “Hold up a minute until 1 mea- sure off how much ladder we've got. It was 42 feet from the rail of the promenade deck to the water, and I figure we'll need 33 here.” Janet was as eager to drop the subject as he was, and so it was al- lowed to lie, When the ladder was finished, he contrived a simple signal for the purpose of letting her know when to let it down to him. He ! SYNOPSIS: A lovers’ tiff parts Neill, a young federal agent, and Janet in Baltimore. She won't break a date with wealthy, flashy Prescott Fanning whom Neill dis- trusts. Next day a mysterious phone call tells Neill Janet’s in trouble on Fanning’s yach. at Absalom’s Harbor. Rushing there, he finds, in a locked cabin, Fan- ning shot dead and Janet in a faint, a gun beside her. Neill rows her to the disused liners kept up the river. They climb aboard, dodge a watchman and find the best suite. Neill makes a rope lad- der, then leaves Janet hidden on the ship and gets back to the vil- lage hotel before dawn, Chapter 13 Two Campers Arrive | 1 bateoum slept for an hour. His anxieties would not permit | him to rest any longer, and he was | up and sitting on the porch of the store next door before any other | 2erson in the village was stirring. The Nadji lay out in the harbor, clean-cut in the pure light of | morning. White paint, mahogany and brass all spick and span. Noth- ing to suggest that a dead man lay | aboard. Her dinghy was tied to a | boom amidships, so the crew must have returned. Neill waited for developments. At 7 o'clock Virgil Longcope came down the little hill Lack of the store, whistling out of tune and swinging a big key. He was a ; leathery, middle-sized man wear- fastened the twine to the catch of | a wail cabinet and, leading it out across the little deck and through a window, let it hang overside. A single strand of brown twine would never be noticed. When it was pulled, the door of the cabinet flew open. They laughed at the simplicity of the gadget. Wrapping Janet in the rug, Neill laid her on the dusty sofa and sat on the floor, soothing her like a child until her eyes grew heavy and fi closed, After kissing her to make sure that she slept, 1e went out on the little deck and, ing off his clothes, wrapped th in coat and tied it seeurely Slinging this bundle over his back, he climbed out of the win- dow, went down the rope ladder and slipped into the water. Janet could pull up the ladder when woke. When Neill emerged from the e saw a dim light a couple dred yards off to his left. ing and hiding the oil- er. satisfaction. mt for the 2 point about a mile lage. The first faint were beginning e east when he The outer door dy Eeilert Feotear) winter when the river freezes over and there’s no oystering nor fishing, this village would starve if it wasn’t for Virgil. He carries them all.” When Captain Bickel came out of the store, he found Neill stand- ing beside his car. “Morning, Captain. I saw your ships when I came down the road yesterday. Is a person allowed to go aboard?” “You have to get a permit from the department of commerce, young man. I ain’t authorized to let anybody aboard.” “Do you have many visitors?” “No, sir. Them ships has been forgotten. aboard and the department ain't over-anxious to issue permits.” “Why is that?” Nobody asks to go} 1 COCO) OOO OOCCRROOCOEOSOROEOeE ROSES ECR OCEELOORCOOORECES ecV0ace Miss Olga ; Last evening at the home of |Dr. and Mrs. Julio de Poo, on | Duval street, in the presence of a |gathering of relatives and friends, jJohn Alden Anti, of Boston, Mas- |} Arango, weré joined “in Holy | wedlock, Notary Publie . Pedro | Aguilar reading, the- service. The bride-was attended by Mrs. Raquel Sanchez as matron of ‘honor, and the groom was at- jtended by his brother-in-law, Dr. | Julio de Poo. Following the ceremony the {bridal party were guests of Dr. {and Mrs. de Poo at a post wed- ding supper given in the dining }room of a local restaurant, where {newly weds and guests enjoyed a delightful evening. | After the supper they repaired ito the Garden of Roses where {dancing was enjoyed until the iwee small hours of the morning, jafter which } and Mrs. Anti Arango And John sachusetts, arid’ Miss Olga Caridad! { MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1937. | THE ANSWERS Miss to- and joined {gether in the bonds of Holy wed- | 1. Tae Union of Soviet Social- jist Republics. ; 2 Until his kidnaping last De- | lock Saturday night at the home of | cember, Chiang waged unceasing * ° uy ithe bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs.:war on Chinese Communists. Anii Married Last Evening ‘William Lord, 617 Ashe street.| 3, A Department of Labor sur- | The ceremony was performed by) vey shows 34,722,000 persons em- made preparations for leaving Rev. Wm. J. Reagan, S. J., of St.! ployed in non-agricultaral indus- this morning on the Steamship Guba for their honeymoon which’ will be spent in Havana. the party Martinez, Valdes, Valdes, Locke, Nickerson, were: Juana Diala Rosa Martha’ Ada! Leona Jennie Members of Isabel aldes, Estela Valdes, Carmen Arango, Orchid Malone, Dinora Fernandez, Andina Roig, Arias, Marta Arango, Arango, Persia Fernandez. Mesdames William Williams, Julian Bar Caridad Valdes, Raquel Asuncion Aguilar, & Arango, A. Lastres, Concha Fiallo, Edw: Roig, Mer- cedes Fernand: and Mrs. R. Garcia, and Julio de Poo, Valdes, Gregorio Pollock, Antonio Antonio Arango, Jr. Ernest Ogden, Emilio Lastr Angel Rojas. | Misses “We'r2 afraid of fire. Don’t want | folks moseying around on board and dropping cigarette butts.” “I suppose they send down in- spectors from time to time.” “Sure, the first of every month.” Two weeks! thought Neill. He said: “The cabins must be fixed up pretty fine.” “Sure. But we don’t trouble the cabins. We keep ’em locked. Our job is to keep the hulls free of rust and the engines greased.” “How many men have you?” “Four of us sleep aboard. Me, my foreman and a couple watch- men. I hire what painters and oilers I need by the day.” “Must be pretty lonely at night, just the four of you on those big ships.” “We sticks pretty close to- gether.” The old man smiled. Strange this man should turn up now, Neill thought. ing a wrinkled store suit of no particular colo: and a derby placed just so. This outfit made him stand out among the boots and jumpers of the other villagers. Virgil had a cracked voice, a bright eye and an expression of sly, good humor. “Hello, Stranger! You're up early.” “Well, I came down here to get a little sea air,” said Neill, “and this is the best time of day to smell it.” “T reckon,” said Virgil, “though I don’t notice it nyself no more. You ought to been here when the fish-fertilizer factory across the} harbor was working. Gemmen! we had strong air then!” Neill laughed to humor him. He | he killing is not yet! thought: known or he would speak of it. He drove back up the road. Ketterings, Father And Son ee looked out at the Nadji. IN Still no sign of life aboard. The suspense was hard to bear. Virgil Longcope rejoined him. A new gray sedan drove up. In it there were two men wearing fishing clothes, and the back com- partment was heaped with a tent, folding cots and other camping impedimenta. Of the two passen- gers, one was die-aged, spare of frame, with lanky blonde hair hanging over his forehead, a long nose and a hearty, voluble man- ner. The ot as different a nung, husky, lent—yet they ther and son. Having openad up his store, Vir- | mc gil sat down beside Neill and chewed his cigar. The principal whart of the place extended out in front of the store, |; and the whole panorama of vil- lage life unrolled before them— men on their way to w in the shipyard; professional t's catch and amateurs start- ing out with lunch baskets and tackle. No sign of movement aboard the yacht Nadji as yet. One of Virgil's first customers was a mild ol faded sedan “"Morning, Captain Bickel!” sang Vir They went : store together, Neill remembered that this, was the name of the cafetaker of the and kept his eye o worth, and hand Everybody cusses V he gets their v: h becau foo soft-hearted. Come i nermen | j, chugging in from the bay with the! ; man who drove up in a/ out his hand. t you, Mr. Long- Horace Ketter- nore. Yonder Horace, junior.” 1 It was too tions about nd of Janet’s ¢ said Kettering. ount of soft- Dy Ealbert Footmer) With discovery ef the murder, te- excitement sweeps the wile {three children, were passengers | leaving over the highway, Satur- day for Miami en route to Newark, \N J., where the Sander’s family jnow make their nome. George Symonette, of Valdosta, {Ga., is a visitor in Key West and is a guest at the home of hi: |father, C. €. Symonette. Mr. Symonette said he may decide to jremain indefinitely. John L. Puckett was an arr on the plane yesterday morning |from Miami on a business visit of several days. i Mrs. Grace Mumford and chil- dren Andre and Helen. left on the plane yesterday afternoon for Miami and will there take passage on another plane to join Captain Mumford at their home in Kings- ton, Jamaica. Mrs. Mumford, and children, had been visiting with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jose Pelaez at the home on Caro- line street. Miss Emma Pinder and _ sister 'Mrs. George Schrieber left yes- | terday morning on Florida Motor {Lines bus for Tavernier to visit their father, John Pinder, who re- cently suffered injury while work- ing on one of the storm shelters, jwhen he was struck by a piece of ntling which fractured his i jaw. Mrs. Y. Keltner was ar- rival from Tampa this morning on the Steamship Cuba, and will visit for a while with Mrs. Ella Bierna and other relatives. an Arrivals in Key West last week to attend the funeral services of jtheir father Jose Y. Lounders, |which were solemnized yesterday were: Joe Lounders, Emilio Loun- ders, Oscar Lounders, Miss Doris Lounders, Mrs. Louise Lewis, and grandson, R. Lounders. Al Armengol, assistant with the P. and O. S. S. Florida, jargived this morning on the Cuba | trom Tampa, acting as purser on jthe vessel during the absence of Purser Sam Stephens, who is tak- jing a vacation. purser | Joseph Warren was an outgo- ng passenger on the morning bus yesterday for Miami en route to ; Tampa for a short business trip ‘Di Active | For ‘The combining of | medicines make Imperial } effective in Lotion | sooth- ing scalp of externally ed caused sizes 35c and $1.00. BENJAMIN LOPEZ FUNERAL HOME Serving Key West Half Century 24-Hour Ambulance Service Effective May 30. 1937 S.S. CUBA Leaves Part Tampa on iving Key West 7 Leaves Key West Me for Havana M Leaves Key West Tuesday: Tampa, Fle. Foe farther information PERSONAL MENTION wAtecteereee tephens, purser hip Cuba, left the vessel 1pon arrival at Key spend twe days at’ his lime grove on Torch Key, on the Miss Jennie Garcia left on the! morning bus today for Miami where she will spend a vacation! of several weeks with relatives and friends. | Seems } James Duane, who is employed on the Florida Keys bridge proj- ects, leit yesterday morning for Marathon, having just regovered from a mild attack of the flu. Sam Drudge left ceteniae! morning on the bus for Miami} Beach where he will spend some! time with his daughter Miss Effie; Drudge. Mrs. Charles Hoeffer and chil- dven Richard, / Heyward, Floyd} and Miss Barbara, left on Florida| Motor Lines bus yesterday morn-! ing for Del Ray Beach to join Mr. Hoeffer and daughter Miss Helen and there make their future home. , Mrs. Bertha McConnell left on the bus yesterday morning for Miami to attend to some property matters, after which she wilt re turn to Key West. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Thomp- nm let over the highway yester- for Miami en route to Sa- jvannah where they will spend | Several weeks with Mr. Thomp- relatives, Mr. Thompson} said his trip had nothing to do son’s MONKOE THEATER Simone non-James Stewart in— SEVENTH HEAVEN Matince: Balcony, 10¢; Orches tra, 15-20c; Night: 15-25¢ f | | | | | md Wednesdays at 4:00 i M. Mondads and Tharsdays. t s and F s 5.P. M. for Port | i and rates call Phone 14 J. H. COSTAR, Ageat. Mary's Star of The Sea Catholic church, at 8 0’clock. Attending the bride was Miss and Mrs. C. Rodney Gwynn, and the groom was attended by ‘he brother of the bride, Gilbert Lord. The bride’s father gave his daughter in marriage. Following the wedding newly weds entertained with a delightful reception which was attended by the immediate fami- lies of the high contracting par- ties, in whose presence the beauti- ful ceremony was performed. Mr. and Hrs. Felton announce to their host of friends they will be at home in the future at 1328 Grinnell street. the Announcement Of Engagement Mr. and Mrs. Frank Curry of Grinnell street, seh rie 1 antes Florine, to Ri j Tavernier, son a a’ A, Gillespie Carolina. Date of Brevayty KEY ‘ H 3e city, it has been announced. NOT LUCKY St. Louis, Mo.—It wasn’t Law- rence Jennwein's lueky day when he found a $20 bill. Moved by his good fortune,- he bought drinks for everybody in the tavern where he picked the bill off the floor. The owner of the case of plus court costs. non-returned property, Total, $100. with any new projects for Key West. Mrs. W. R. Porter and grand- daughter Miss Jean P. Kirke, are at the Barbizon Plaza, in New York City, visiting for a while and will probably return with Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Kirke when they come home. tries in May, compared with 35,- 377,000 jn March, 1929. 4. It has increesed about fifty , Marjorie Gwynn, daughter of Mr. percent. 5. Congress authorized $130,- | 000,000 for this purpose. 6. Production is setting new records; 1937 indicates gains over 11936. { 7% In 1940. 8. The answer is no, accord- ing to Inspector L. C. Schilder. 9. Money will be accepted for relief among all nationalities in China. The Japanese Red Cross as declined offers of assistance. 10. None whatever; registration is entirely voluntary. (See “Who Knows?” SCHOOL VIA RADIO Chicago—School children red from schoo] on account of the infantie paralysis epidemic are to be instructed by means of Bais's the newspapers. Radio igpen, at 15 a, m. with thiRgaip eRarkises and continue until 7 p. Science, mathe- eRe kyigli geography and ‘or. are included in the radio on Page 3) bar- m.- CARD OF THANKS ! pe | We wish to sincerely thank our {many friends for the kindness shown us during our recent loss, the death of our beloved one, Jose Y. Lounders. We are indeed igrateful to those who gave the use of their cars, dono of the beautiful floral tributes, includ- ing the members of the Florida , bill wa-ked in and claim it. Twen- gast Coast Railway Company and |ty dollars, pus another $20 pro- Customs officials at Miami, jvided under Missouri law in the Masonic bodies, and all others for the the many messages of sympathy, We assure one and all that their kindness will never be forgotten. , Sept20-1t THE FAMILY. i owl Palace ' Anna Sten-Henry Wilcoxon in TWO WHO DARED Comedy and Short Reel Buy Now--- Real Estate Never Offered Better Opportunities For Profit Than Right Now THINK TALK BUY . REAL ESTATE Make your plans for building your home. We will help you finance it with F.H.A. insured loans, BRETT-WILLIAMS, Inc. REAL ESTATE—MORTGAGE LOANS —425 Duval Street— OVER-SEAS TRANSPORTATION CO., INC. Fast, Dependable Frei; ht and Express Service —between— MIAMI and Also Serving All Points KEY WEST on Florida Keys between MIAMI AND KEY WEST Four round trips weekly direct between Miami and Key West via Diese] Power Boats—with over- night delivery to Key West. Leave Miami at 12:00 o'clock noon on Mon- day, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. West at 8:00 o'clock P. M. on Three round trips weekly via Trucks and Boat: Leave Key West at 8:00 o'clock A. M. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Leave Miami 7:30 A. M. on Tuesday, Thurs- day and Saturday. SRR «SORES Daily (except Sunday) Service via motor trucks —Miami to Lewer Matecumbe and return—serving all intermediate points on Florida Keys. —_——_1-—————_ Free Pick-Up and Delivery Service Full Cargo Insurance Office: 813 Caroline St. Telephones 92 and 68