The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-11-11
CHAPTER XV.-Continued.

He finds that he is under surveillance
and hears of strange dotngs In the mousse
next door.
CHAPTER xv.-continued.
Az We turned the corner I glanced
back. Half a block behind us john
son was moving u way slowly.
When he saw me he stopped and pro-
ceeded with great deliberation to light
. cigar. BY hurrying, however. he
caught the car that we took. and stood
unobtrusively on the rear platform.
He looked tagged. and absent-minded-
y paid our fares. to Meningitis de-
light.
I'VE will give him a run for his
money" he declared, as the car moved
countryward. Conductor. let us OF
1t the muddiest lane you can f1nd."
At one o'clock. after a six-mile ram.
BILE, we entered a small country hotel.
We had seer nothing of Johnson for a
half hour. At that time he was a
quarter of a mile behind us, and losing
rapidly. Before we had finished our
luncheon he staggered into the inn.
One of his boots was under his arm.
AID his whole appearance was deplOr-
able. He was coated with mud, streak
ed with perspiration. and he limped
% he walked. He chose a table not
far from us and ordered Scotch. Be-
yond touching his hat he paid no at
tention to us.
I'm just getting my second wind"
Mcknight declared. "How do you feel.
Mr.. Johnson? Six or eight miles more
and we'll all enjoy our dinners" John
son put down the glass he had raised
to his lips without replying.
The fact was. however, that was
like Johnson. l a soft from my
weeks inaction, and | was pretty we'll
cone up. Mcknight. who was a we'll
spring of vitality and high spirits. or
dered a strange connection, made OF
nearly everything in the bar. and sent
It over to the detective. but Johnson
refused it.
Il hate that kind Of person." Nc
knight said pettishly. Kind OF a fell
low that thinks you're going to poison
his dog If you offer him a bone"
When we got to the car line, with
johnson a draggled and dropping tail
70 the kite. / was in better spirits. !
had told Mcknight the story OF the
three hours just after the wreck; !
had not named the girl, Of course; she
had my promise of secrecy. But told
him everything else. 1t was a relief
% have a fresh mind On It: I had puz
sled SO much. over the incident at the
farmhouse, and the necklace in the
gold bag, that | had lost perspective
He had been interested. but inclined
10 be amused. until / came to the
broken chain. Then he had whistled
softly.
'sBut there are tons of fine gold
chains made every year." he said
why In the world do you think that
the-er-smeary piece came from
1hat necklace?"
had looked around. Johnson was
Tar behind, scraping the mud on his
leet with a piece OF stick.
II have the short end of the chain
In the sealskin bag" l reminded him
when l couldn't sleep this morning
thought | would settle It. one way OF
the other. 1t was hell to go along the
way / had been doing. And-there's
40 doubt about it. Rich. It's the same
chain"
We walked along in silence unit
We caught the a back to town.
WELL" he said finally. you know
che GIRL, OF course. and | don't. Blu
4 you like her-and l think mysel
you're rather hard hit. old man
wouldn't give q whoop about the chair
a the gold purse. It's just n of tn
little condolences that hang peopl'
nov and then. And as for last nigh
II she's the kind Of q girl you sa,
shD q. and you think she had any
thins to do with that. you-you'r,
allled. that's all. You a Deepen,
% h, the lady At the empty house las
weok Ii the lady Of last night. AM
vt your train acquaintance was il
Altoona st thst time"
Int before We got on the car, I r.
vettod 70 the subject again. It wa
n1vsr far back IN my mind.
About the-young lady Of the trair
RfcA." said, with what | suppose wa
elShorate c~arelessness, Il don't wan
~ % get . wrong impression. al
rafher unlikely to q her again. bu
ovon e I DO. IL believe she IL q
Bespoke or next thing to It.
3o made no reply. but as | opene
door with my latch-key b
alo1king up at me from the paw
1a171 Mn IN Quixxfcal smile.
= nm - moasle4.. - ara