Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-25

heavily up the stairs. She had a piece
Of paper in her hand torn from q pocket
account book. and on it was the name
M. Wilson Budd Hotchkiss. Impor-
tant business"
"Oh, well. show him up" said. re-
signedly. You'd better put those cards
away. Richey. fancy it's the rector OF
the church around the corner"
But when the door opened to admit q
curiously alert little man. adjusting his
glasses with nervous fingers, my face
must have shown my dismay.
1t was the amateur detective Of the
Ontario!
I shook hands without enthusiasm
Here was the one survivor of the wrecked
car who could do me any amount OF
harm. There was no hope that he had
tails. In fact, he held in his hand the
very notebook which contained them
His manner was restrained, but 1t wa
evident he was highly excited. I intro
duced him to Mcknight. who has the
imagination lack. and who placed him
II only learned yesterday that you had
been-er-saved." he said. rapidly. Ter.
rible accident = unspeakable. Dream
about 1t all night and think about it all
mo. He just wears the splint to be
different from other people," Mcknight
drawled. lazily. I glared at him; there
was nothing to be gained by antagoniz-
ing the little man.
Eyes, q fractured humerus, which isn't
as funny as 1t sounds
''Humerus- humorous! Pretty good.
he cackled. Il must say you keep UP
your spirits pretty well, considering
you seem to have escaped injury" !
parted. He was fumbling for something
In his pockets.
Eyes. escaped" he replied. abstract
eddy. Remarkable thing. too. haven't
a doubt would have broken my neck.
but landed on-you'll never guess what!
I landed head first on the very pillow
which was under inspection at the time
OF the wreck. You remember. don't your
Where did I put that package?"
He found 1t finally and opened IL on a
a rectangular piece Of muslin and a SINH
lar patch Of striped ticking.
You recognize itr' he said. "The
stains. you see. and the hole made by
tire pillow. but they thought I was steal
ing 1t and made me give 1t up"
Richey touched the pieces g1ngerly.
by George" he said. land you carry
that around in your pocket! What If you
should mistake it for your handker.
chief?"
But Mr.. Hotchkiss was not listening.
He stood bent somewhat forward. lean
ing over the table, and fixed me with hia
ferretlike eyes.
Mr.. Blakeleyf' he inquired.
I glanced to where they lay unopened
and shook my head.
Then 1 have a disagreeable task" he
said, with evident relish. "Of course.
you had considered the matter OF the
man Harrington's death closed after the
wreck. did myself. AS far as / was
concerned. l meant to let 1t remain 20.
There were no other survivors. at least
none that / knew OF. and in spite OF cir
pIIY az
points in your favor"
Thank you." / put In with . sarcasm
that was lost on him.
II verified your identity, for instance
as soon as ! recovered from the shock.
AlsoI found on inQuiring OF your tailor
that you invariably wore dark clothing"
Mcknight came forward threateningiy.
"Who are you. anyhow! ne demanded.
Mr. Hotchkiss was entirely unrufhed.
II have q minor position here" he said,
reaching for visiting card. II am a
very small patch on the seat OF govern
ment, sir"
certain offensive designs against the said
patch and retired grumbling to the win
dow. Our visitor was opening the paper
with a tremendous expenditure Of energy.
Here it is. Listen" He read rapidly
aloud:
THE Pittsburg police have sent to Bal
timore two detectives who are looking up
the survivors Of the Inflated Washington
fiier. 1t has transpired that Simon Har-
rington, the Wood street merchant OF
that city. was not killed in the wreck.
but was murdered in his berth the night
preceding the accident. Shortly before
the collision. John Flanders. the con-
ductor OF the f1ier. sent this telegram to
the chief of police:
BODY of Simon Harrington found
stabbed in his berth. lower ten, Ontario,
at $50 this morning.
JOHN FLANDERS. Conductor
cit is hoped that the survivors Of the
wrecked car Ontario will be found. to tell
what they know Of the discovery OF the
crime.
MIR. John Gilmore. head of the steel
company for which Mr. Harrington was
agent, has signined his inten-
ton of sitting the matter to the bottom"
$50 you see," Hotchkiss concluded,
there's trouble brewing. You and 1 are
the only survivors OF that unfortunate
car"
CTo be continued tomorrow
She-what do they make in a chafnS