earlderrbiggers.thehousewithoutakey-第18章

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lphia；　they　tell　me　…　has　been　hanging　around　the　pton　woman；　and　that　Dan　resented　his　presence。〃
　〃Humph。〃　Miss　Minerva　handed　to　Amos　an　odd　old　brooch；　a　tree　of　jewels　against　an　onyx　background。　〃Ever　see　that　before；　Amos？〃
　He　took　it；　and　nodded。　〃It's　part　of　a　little　collection　of　jewelry　Dan　brought　back　from　the　South　Seas　in　the　'eighties。　There　were　ear…rings　and　a　bracelet；　too。　He　acted　rather　queerly　about　those　trinkets　…　never　let　Barbara's　mother　or　any　one　else　wear　them。　But　he　must　have　got　over　that　idea　recently。　For　I　saw　this　only　a　few　weeks　ago。〃
　〃Where？〃　asked　Miss　Minerva。
　〃Our　office　has　the　renting　of　the　cottage　down　the　beach　occupied　at　present　by　the　pton　woman。　She　came　in　not　long　ago　to　pay　her　rent；　and　she　was　wearing　this　brooch。〃　He　looked　suddenly　at　Miss　Minerva。　〃Where　did　you　get　it？〃　he　demanded。
　〃Kamaikui　gave　it　to　me　early　this　morning；〃　Miss　Minerva　explained。　〃She　picked　it　up　from　the　floor　of　the　lanai　before　the　police　came。〃
　John　Quincy　leaped　to　his　feet。　〃You're　all　wrong；　Aunt　Minerva；〃　he　cried。　〃You　can't　do　this　sort　of　thing。　You　ask　the　help　of　the　police；　and　you　aren't　on　the　level　with　them。　I'm　ashamed　of　you　…〃
　〃Please　wait　a　moment；〃　said　his　aunt。
　〃Wait　nothing！〃　he　answered。　〃Give　me　that　brooch。　I'm　going　to　turn　it　over　to　Chan　at　once。　I　couldn't　look　him　in　the　eye　if　I　didn't。〃
　〃We'll　turn　it　over　to　Chan；〃　said　Miss　Minerva　calmly；　〃if　it　seems　important。　But　there　is　no　reason　in　the　world　why　we　should　not　investigate　a　bit　ourselves　before　we　do　so。　The　woman　may　have　a　perfectly　logical　explanation　…〃
　〃Rot！〃　interrupted　John　Quincy。　〃The　trouble　with　you　is；　you　think　you're　Sherlock　Holmes。〃
　〃What　is　your　opinion；　Amos？〃　inquired　Miss　Minerva。
　〃I'm　inclined　to　agree　with　John　Quincy；〃　Amos　said。　〃You　are　hardly　fair　to　Captain　Hallet。　And　as　for　keeping　anything　dark　on　account　of　Barbara　…　or　on　anybody's　account　…　that　won't　be　possible；　I'm　afraid。　No　getting　round　it；　Minerva；　Dan's　indiscretions　are　going　to　be　dragged　into　the　open　at　last。〃
　She　caught　the　note　of　satisfaction　in　his　tone；　and　was　nettled　by　it。　〃Perhaps。　At　the　same　time；　it　isn't　going　to　do　any　harm　for　some　member　of　the　family　to　have　a　talk　with　this　woman　before　we　consult　the　police。　If　she　should　have　a　perfectly　sincere　and　genuine　explanation　…〃
　〃Oh；　yes；〃　cut　in　John　Quincy。　〃She　wouldn't　have　any　other　kind。〃
　〃It　won't　be　so　much　what　she　says；〃　persisted　Miss　Minerva。　〃It　will　be　the　manner　in　which　she　says　it。　Any　intelligent　person　can　see　through　deceit　and　falsehood。　The　only　question　is；　which　of　us　is　the　intelligent　person　best　fitted　to　examine　her。〃
　〃Count　me　out；〃　said　Amos　promptly。
　〃John　Quincy？〃
　The　boy　considered。　He　had　asked　for　the　privilege　of　working　with　Chan；　and　here；　perhaps；　was　an　opportunity　to　win　his　respect。　But　this　sounded　rather　like　a　woman　who　would　be　too　much　for　him。
　〃No；　thanks；〃　he　said。
　〃Very　good；〃　replied　Miss　Minerva；　rising。　〃I'll　go　myself。〃
　〃Oh；　no；〃　cried　John　Quincy；　shocked。
　〃Why　not？　If　none　of　the　men　in　the　family　are　up　to　it。　As　a　matter　of　fact；　I　wele　the　opportunity　…〃
　Amos　shook　his　head。　〃She'll　twist　you　round　her　little　finger；〃　he　predicted。
　Miss　Minerva　smiled　grimly。　〃I　should　like　to　see　her　do　it。　Will　you　wait　here？〃
　John　Quincy　went　over　and　took　the　brooch　from　Amos's　hand。　〃Sit　down；　Aunt　Minerva；〃　he　said。　〃I'll　see　this　woman。　But　I　warn　you　that　immediately　afterward　I　shall　send　for　Chan。〃
　〃That；〃　his　aunt　told　him；　〃will　be　decided　at　another　conference。　I'm　not　so　sure；　John　Quincy；　that　you　are　the　proper　person　to　go。　After　all；　what　experience　have　you　had　with　women　of　this　type？〃
　John　Quincy　was　offended。　He　was　a　man；　and　he　felt　that　he　could　meet　and　outwit　a　woman　of　any　type。　He　said　as　much。
　Amos　described　the　woman's　house　as　a　small　cottage　several　hundred　yards　down　the　beach；　and　directed　the　boy　how　to　get　there。　John　Quincy　set　out。
　Night　had　fallen　over　the　Island　when　he　reached　Kalia　Road；　a　bright　silvery　night；　for　the　Kona　weather　was　over　and　the　moon　traveled　a　cloudless　sky。　The　scent　of　plumaria　and　ginger　stole　out　to　him　through　hedges　of　flaming　hibiscus；　the　trade　winds；　blowing　across　a　thousand　miles　of　warm　water；　still　managed　a　cool　touch　on　his　cheek。　As　he　approached　what　he　judged　must　be　the　neighborhood　of　the　woman's　house；　a　flock　of　Indian　myna　birds　in　a　spreading　algaroba　screamed　loudly；　their　harsh　voices　the　only　note　of　discord　in　that　peaceful　scene。
　He　had　some　difficulty　locating　the　cottage；　which　was　almost　pletely　hidden　under　masses　of　flowering　alamander；　its　blossoms　pale　yellow　in　the　moonlight。　Before　the　door；　a　dark　fragrant　spot　under　a　heavily　laden　trellis；　he　paused　uncertainly。　A　rather　delicate　errand；　this　was。　But　he　summoned　his　courage　and　knocked。
　Only　the　myna　birds　replied。　John　Quincy　stood　there；　growing　momentarily　more　hostile　to　the　Widow　of　Waikiki。　Some　huge　coarse　creature；　no　doubt；　a　man's　woman；　a　good　fellow　at　a　party　…　that　kind。　Then　the　door　opened　and　the　boy　got　a　shock。　For　the　figure　outlined　against　the　light　was　young　and　slender；　and　the　face；　dimly　seen；　suggested　fragile　loveliness。
　〃Is　this　Mrs。　pton？〃　he　inquired。
　〃Yeah　…　I'm　Mrs。　pton。　What　do　you　want？〃　John　Quincy　was　sorry　she　had　spoken。　For　she　was；　obviously；　one　of　those　beauties　so　prevalent　nowadays；　the　sort　whom　speech　betrays。　Her　voice　recalled　the　myna　birds。
　〃My　name　is　John　Quincy　Winterslip。〃　He　saw　her　start。　〃May　I　speak　with　you　for　a　moment？〃
　〃Sure　you　can。　e　in。〃　She　led　the　way　along　a　low　narrow　passage　into　a　tiny　living…room。　A　pasty…faced　young　man　with　stooped　shoulders　stood　by　a　table；　fondling　a　cocktail　shaker。
　〃Steve；〃　said　the　woman；　〃this　is　Mr。　Winterslip。　Mr。　Leatherbee。〃
　Mr。　Leatherbee　grunted。　〃Just　in　time　for　a　little　snifter；〃　he　remarked。
　〃No；　thanks；〃　John　Quincy　said。　He　saw　Mrs。　pton　take　a　smoking　cigarette　from　an　ash　tray；　start　to　convey　it　to　her　lips；　then；　evidently　thinking　better　of　it；　crush　it　on　the　tray。
　〃Well；〃　said　Mr。　Leatherbee；　〃your　poison's　ready；　Arlene。〃　He　proffered　a　glass。
　She　shook　her　head；　slightly　annoyed。　〃No。〃
　〃No？〃　Mr。　Leatherbee　grinned。　〃The　more　for　little　Stevie。〃　He　lifted　a　glass。　〃Here's　looking　at　you；　Mr。　Winterslip。〃
　〃Say；　I　guess　you're　Dan's　cousin　from　Boston；〃　Mrs。　pton　remarked。　〃He　was　telling　me　about　you。〃　She　lowered　her　voice。　〃I've　been　meaning　to　get　over　to　your　place　all　day。　But　it　was　such　a　shock　…　it　knocked　me　flat。〃
　〃I　understand；〃　John　Quincy　replied。　He　glanced　at　Mr。　Leatherbee；　who　seemed　not　to　have　heard　of　prohibition。　〃My　business　with　you；　Mrs。　pton；　is　private。〃
　Leatherbee　stiffened　belligerently。　But　the　woman　said：　〃That's　all　right。　Steve　was　just　going。〃
　Steve　hesitated　a　moment；　then　went。　His　hostess　acpanied　him。　John　Quincy　heard　the　low　monotone　of　their　voices　in　the　distance。　There　was　a　bined　odor　of　gin　and　cheap　perfume　in　the　air；　the　boy　wondered　what　his　mother　would　say　if　she　could　see　him　now。　A　door　slammed；　and　the　woman　returned。
　〃Well？〃　she　said。　John　Quincy　perceived　that　her　eyes　were　hard　and　knowing；　like　her　voice。　He　waited　for　her　to　sit　down；　then　took　a　chair　facing　her。
　〃You　knew　my　Cousin　Dan　rather　intimately；〃　he　suggested。
　〃I　was　engaged　to　him；〃　she　answered。　John　Quincy　glanced　at　her　left　hand。　〃He　hadn't　e　across　…　I　mean；　he　hadn't　given　me　a　ring；　but　it　was　…　you　know　…　understood　between　us。〃
　〃Then　his　death　is　a　good　deal　of　a　blow　to　you？〃
　She　managed　a　baby　stare；　full　of　pathos。　〃I'll　say　it　is。　Mr。　Winterslip　was　kind　to　me　…　he　believed　in　me　and　trusted　me。　A　lone　woman　way　out　here　don't　get　any　too　much　char　…　kindness。〃
　〃When　did　you　see　Mr。　Winterslip　last？〃
　〃Three　or　four　days　ago　…　last　Friday　evening；　I　guess　it　was。〃
　John　Quincy　frowned。　〃Wasn't　that　rather　a　long　stretch？〃
　She　nodded。　〃I'll　tell　you　the　truth。　We　had　a　little　…　misunderstanding。　Just　a　lover's　quarrel；　you　know。　Dan　sort　of　objected　to　Steve　hanging　around。　Not　that　he'd　any　reason　to　…　Steve's　nothing　to　me　…　just　a　weak　kid　I　used　to　know　when　I　was　trouping。　I　was　on　the　stage　…　maybe　you　heard　that。〃
　〃Yes；〃　said　John　Quincy。　〃You　hadn't　seen　Mr。　Winterslip　since　last　Friday。　You　didn't　go　to　his　house　last　evening？〃
　〃I　should　say　not。　I　got　my　reputation　to　think　of　…　you've　no　idea　how　people　talk　in　a　place　like　this　…〃
　John　Quincy　laid　the　brooch　down　upon　the　table。　It　sparkled　in　the　lamplight　…　a　reading　lamp；　though　the　atmosphere　was　not　in　the　least　literary。　The　baby　stare　was　startled　now。　〃You　recognize　that；　don't　you？〃　he　asked。
　〃Why　…　yes　…　it's　…　I　…〃
　〃Just　stick　to　the　truth；〃　said　John　Quincy；　not　unkindly。　〃It's　an　old　piece　of　jewelry　that　Mr。　Winterslip　gave　you；　I　believe。〃
　〃Well　…〃
　〃You've　been　seen　wearing　it；　you　know。〃
　〃Yes；　he　did　give　it　to　me；〃　she　admitted。　〃The　only　present　I　ever　got　from　him。　I　guess　from　the　look　of　it　Mrs。　Noah　wore　it　on　the　Ark。　Kinda　pretty；　though。〃
　〃You　didn't　visit　Mr。　Winterslip　last　night；〃　persisted　John　Quincy。　〃Yet；　strangely　enough；　this　brooch　was　found　on　the　floor　not　far　from　his　dead　body。〃
　She　drew　in　her　breath　sharply。　〃Say　…　what　are　you？　A　cop？〃　she　asked。
　〃Hardly；〃　John　Quincy　smiled。　〃I　am　here　simply　to　save　you；　if　possible；　from　the　hands　of　the　…　er　…　the　cops。　If　you　have　any　real　explanation　of　this　matter；　it　may　not　be　necessary　to　call　it　to　the　attention　of　the　police。〃
　〃Oh！〃　She　smiled。　〃Say；　that's　decent　of　you。　Now　I　will　tell　you　the　truth。　That　about　not　seeing　Dan　Winterslip　since　Friday　was　bunk。　I　saw　him　last　night。〃
　〃Ah　…　you　did？　Where？〃
　〃Right　here。　Mr。　Winterslip　gave　me　that　thing　about　a　month　ago。　Two　weeks　ago　he　came　to　me　in　a　sort　of　excited　way　and　said　he　must　have　it　back。　It　was　the　only　thing　he　ever　give　me　and　I　liked　it　and　those　emeralds　are　valuable　…　so　…　well；　I　stalled　a　while。　I　said　I　was　having　a　new　clasp　put　on　it。　He　kept　asking　for　it；　and　last　night　he　showed　up　here　and　said　he　just　had　to　have　it。　Said　he'd　buy　me　anything　in　the　stores　in　place　of　it。　I　must　say　he　was　pretty　het　up。　So　I　finally　turned　it　over　to　him　and　he　took　it　and　went　away。〃
　〃What　time　was　that？〃
　〃About　nine…thirty。　He　was　happy　and　pleasant　and　he　said　I　could　go　to　a　jewelry　store　this　morning　and　take　my　pick　of　the　stock。〃　She　looked　pleadingly　at　John　Quincy。　〃That's　the　last　I　ever　saw　of　him。　It's　the　truth；　so　help　me。〃
　〃I　wonder；〃　mused　John　Quincy。
　She　moved　nearer。　〃Say；　you're　a　nice　kid；〃　she　said。　〃The　kind　I　used　to　meet　in　Boston　when　we　played　there。　The　kind　that's　got　some　consideration　for　a　woman。　You　ain't　going　to　drag　me　into　this。　Think　what　it　would　mean　…　to　me。〃
　John　Quincy　did　not　speak。　He　saw　there　were　tears　in　her　eyes。　〃You've　probably　heard　things　about　me；〃　she　went　on；　〃but　they　ain't　true。　You　don't　know　what　I　been　up　against　out　here。　An　unprotected　woman　don't　have　much　chance　anywhere；　but　on　this　beach；　where　men　e　drifting　in　from　all　over　the　world　…　I　been　friendly；　that's　my　only　trouble。　I　was　homesick　…　oh；　God；　wasn't　I　homesick！　I　was　h