The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-02-08
thankful even for my shoes; these are
conioundedly tight"


conioundedly fight"
Nobody spoke, and fell silent, too
For one of the pillows had been turned
over, and the under side of the white
case was streaked with brownish
| stains. I think It was a perceptible
Time before ! realized that the stains
were blood, and that the faces around
were filled with suspicion and dis
trust.
why, it-that looks like blood" l
said vacuously. There was an inces-
SAINT pounding in my ears. and the
conductors voice came from far OF.
1T is blood" he asserted grimly.
looked around with Q dizzy at
tempt at nonchalancs. Even II It is"
demonstrated. surely you don't sup
pose for moment that know any
thing about it,"
The amateur detective elbewed his
way IN. He had . scrap Of transpar.
ent paper in his hand, and pencil.
II would like permission to trace
the stains" he began eagerly. ALSO"
Ito ms-"if you will kindly jab your
finger with apin-aeedle-anything-"
IT yeu don't keep out Of this" the
conductor said savagely. Il will do
some jabbing myself. Az for you.
sir" he turned to ne. was alb
solutely innocent, but knew that l
presented a typical picture Of guilt; l
was covered with cold sweat. and the
pounding in my ears kept up dizzily
"As for you, sir"
The irrepressible amateur detective
made quick pounce at the pillow and
pushed back the cover. Before our in
credulous eyes he drew out a narrow
steel dirk which had been buried to
the small cross that served as a head.
There was a chorus Of voices
around, a quick surging forward Of
the crowd. So that was what had
scratched my hand! l buried the
wound in my coat pocket.
WELL" said, trying to speak Aatur-
ally, doesn't that prove what l have
been telling you? The man who com
mitted the murder belonged to this
berth. and made An exchange In some
way after the crime. How do you
know he didn't change the tags so I
would come back 70 this bsrth?" This
was an Inspiration; was pleased
with It. That's what he did. he
changed the tags" I reiterated.
There WAS Q nurmuf Of assent
around. The doctor, who was stand
ing beside me, put his hand on my
arm. IT this gentleman committed
this crime, and for one feel sure he
did not, then who is the fellow who
got away! And why did he GOT"
I'VE have only one mans word for
that" the conductor snarled. I've trav-
eled some in these cars myself, and
: no one ever changed berths with me-"
Somebody on the edge Of the group
asserted that hereafter he would travel
! by daylight. glanced up and caught
the eye Of the girl in blue.
They are all mad" she said. Her
tone was low. but heard her distinct
ly. Don't take them seriously enough
to defend yourself"
II am glad you think didn't do It, -
; observed meekly, over the crowd
Nothing else IL Of any importance
The conductor had pulled out his
: notebook again. your name, please
he said grufly.
Lawrence Blakeley. Washington"
Your occupation?"
Attorney. A member of the firm
4 of Blakeley & Mcknight"
"Mr. Blakeley, you say you have
: occupied the wrong berth and have
been robbed. Do you know anything
of the man who did it?"
"Only from what he left behind"
answered. "These clothes"
"They fit you." he said with quicl
suspicion isn't that rather a coinci
dence? You are large man."
Good heavens" retorted, stung t.
fury, do look like a man who woult
wear this kind Of a necktie? Do 20,
suppose I carry purple and greer
barred silk handkerchiefs? Would an!
man in his senses wear pair O
shoes a full size too smallr
The conductor WAS inclined t.
hedge. you will have to grant tina
I am in a peculiar position" he said
II have only your word a. to the 81
change of berths, and you understand
am merely doing my duty. Are Their
any clews in the pockets?"
l |
| Of their contents, which he noted. IL
that all?" he finished. There wa
nothing else?"
Nothing"
That's not all, SIR" broke in tn
porter, stepping forward. There wa
. a small black satchel."
. That's So" exclaimed. II forgo
the bag. don't even know where 1
is"
u The easily swayed crowd looked sus
picious again. I've grown so accus
toned to reading the faces of jury
. seeing them swing from doubt to be
lief, and back again to doubt, that
4 instinctively watch expressions. say
) that my forgetfulness had done m
9 harm-that suspicion was rouse
again.
" The bag was found couple of seat
. | away under somebody's raiucOat-ar